Health Benefits of Pranayama

Now let us have an idea of Pranayama. Pranayama is nothing but a Yogic breathing technique that improves your mind and body through a process of cleansing. In the earlier period the yogis used to practice Pranayama as they felt the need of pure oxygen in the body. They also knew how the balance of the body is maintained through the process of perfect breathing. Through the practice of Pranayama they learnt how to control breathing in a proper style. Pranayama is a part of Yoga and you may get the health benefits of Yoga through the proper practice of Pranayama.

Starting Pranayama for good body and mind
In general it is noted that people do not know how to breathe properly. As a result they feel tiredness with in a short while and beckon many problems. Actually Pranayama is the perfect breathing technique. If you do it properly your need of oxygen in the body is met and at the same time the toxins and carbon-di-oxide are cleansed. As a result of the through cleansing the body gets luster and the life force is invigorated.

Why do we need fresh oxygen?

We are in great need of fresh oxygen primarily for-

1. Proper assimilation of food

2. Rejuvenating the endocrine glands

3. Energizing the functions of brain, heart, nerves and different other organs.

4. Distributing the vital force throughout the body.


Unknown Health Issues

Almost all of us do not know how to energize ourselves with the aid of proper breathing. Sometimes we breathe hurriedly, sometimes our breathings are shallow. As a result of improper breathing pattern the Prana or the Vital Energy of our life is totally damaged. This damage acts on other important organs. If we can learn how to control our breathing we can minimize the loss of oxygen and will be able to oust the toxins that damage our vital force. The result of improper breathing also leads to damage of tissues and cells. In this way we fall prey to various serious ailments.

If we can learn the perfect art of breathing we can utilize the assimilation of oxygen in our body 5 times more. In this way we can oust the carbon-di-oxide from our body five times more too. Can we even dream of a miraculous effect that the Pranayama offers to our body?


Basic steps of Pranayama

While you are practicing Pranayama you have learn it quite well three basic things without which you can never get the health benefits of Yoga. The three vital stages of Pranayama are-

• Inhalation (called in Sanskrit Puraka); this is the way how to take enough oxygen with the aid of breathing. If you can inhale enough oxygen your body can be stimulated.

• Total retention (called in Sanskrit Kumbhaka); this is the way of retaining the oxygen you inhale. With the process the oxygen is absorbed quite well in the body. But keep in mind, as you are a mere beginner you should not practice Kumbhaka. Do it under the supervision of the Yoga guru. It may be prove fatal to you in the initial phase.

• Exhalation (called in Sanskrit Rechaka); this is the process of exhaling. The exhalation can be done through the abdomen or the lungs. It depends on the type of Pranayama you practice.


Some Pranayama to Start with

• Bhastrika

• Kapal Bhati

• Anuloma Biloma

• Ujjayi

• Shitali

• Bhramari

Have a look at this video on pranayama: