pranayama - breathing techniques
This week, the 4th of Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga – Pranayama. In Desikachar’s Heart of Yoga, he translates the section of the yoga sutras on Pranayama as being the conscious, deliberate regulation of the breath, replacing unconscious patterns of breathing.
Practicing pranayama involves conscious breathing in order to influence the flow of prana in the body. We aim to reduce the prana outside the body, and retain our prana (vital life force is another translation) within the body.
The quality of our breath is directly related to our state of mind. And our state of mind impacts on the quality of our breath. When we are excited or anxious the breath is faster and shallower; when we are relaxed and calm and breath is deeper and quieter. This is one example of our mind/body connection; how each influences the other, completely interconnected.
Regular pranayama practice, through this conscious breathing in various ways, helps manage a busy mind in this modern-day world, by bringing clarity and peace through focus on conscious, deliberately regulating the breath. Even conscious breathing, as a point of focus, is a way to bring about this clarity and calm.
Pranayama provides us with a bridge between the outward practices of asana and the internal practices of meditation. The first 3 limbs relate to the external world we live in and the last 4 relate to our inner worlds. The 4th, pranayama, is a transitionary limb, connecting outer and inner; body, mind and soul.
This week reflecting on the physical benefits of conscious breathing and ways to bring more conscious, deliberate breaths into your day to day life. Are there times throughout your day you can practice some slower, mindful breaths? And remembering by slowing the exhalation you activate the rest and digest arm of your autonomic nervous system. Practicing in this way, like micro or spot meditations are opportunities to release the pressure valve.
Resolving this week to take time to consciously breath; and notice the difference this makes.
Wishing you a week ahead filled with conscious breathing.
Nicky’s yoga classes are a gentle, hatha style, suitable for beginners.
Along with teaching weekly yoga classes in Beaumaris, Bayside Melbourne, Nicky is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (PACFA), coach and mindfulness meditation teacher.
Get in touch with Nicky to find out more.