Pranayama is an essential part of yoga. It is the fourth limb of Ashtanga yoga, the eightfold yogic path. It is often practiced along with asanas (poses) and meditation. Pranayama consists of breathing exercises or techniques. When you join a pranayama online class, you can expect to learn exercises that involve inhaling, exhaling and holding your breath.
What Does Pranayama Mean
“Prana” in Sanskrit means breath or life force. The word pranayama is a blend of “prana” and “ayama” which translates as “to expand or draw out.” Some also view it as a combination of “prana” and “yama”, which means “control”. With both interpretations, we get this basic concept that pranayama is a practice that involves learning to regulate or control the breath. The goal is to harness and allow the “prana” or the vital energies, to flow through the body.
Why Practice Pranayama
The breath is one of the most essential functions of the body. But we often take it for granted. How we breathe can have a huge impact on our health. For example, slow, deep breathing techniques taught in yoga and pranayama classes allow us to consciously use the diaphragm (the main muscle in the lungs) and encourage the whole body to relax. It leads to reduced blood pressure and heart rate, which may lower your risk of heart disease.
The ancient yogis believed that pranayama techniques can be used to heal and improve health and overall vitality. These time-honoured traditions have made their way into online yoga and pranayama classes for beginners, individuals and corporates.
A growing number of studies show that pranayama works on our body and brain in many different ways.
- Reduces stress and anxiety level
- Boosts the energy levels with increased oxygen uptake
- Improves the quality of sleep
- Increases comfort and relaxation
- Makes you feel good
- Makes you more alert
- Improves cognitive functions and reduces confusion
- Improves lungs and health heart
- Helps in lowering high blood pressure
- Boosts immunity
Different types of pranayama exercises also have their unique benefits. For example, nadi shodhana pranayama or the alternate nostril breathing is believed to cleanse the nadis, or energy channels. Bhastrika pranayama, or “bellow breath” technique can help clear the air passages and the mind.
So, even if you have great health and have never had trouble breathing, give your breath some attention from time to time. When you start practicing under a certified yoga teacher, for example, by joining a pranayama online class, you can start finding its benefits almost immediately.
