Pranayama | Breath Exercise

Breathing is usually an unconscious activity. You might never give a second thought to proper breathing technique or the quality of your breath -- the breath just happens of its own accord. But practicing breathing exercises may provide a number of benefits, such as relaxation or increased energy. Yogis use specific breathing exercises to raise the coiled, serpentlike invisible energy that lies at the base of your spine, known as Kundalini. Whether they're energizing or relaxing, these exercises all serve to awaken dormant Kundalini.

This pranayama exercises intended to improve prana flow in your chakras.

practice of this yoga technique will improve your energy balance.

What is Yogic Breathing or Pranayama?

(*) ‘Prana’ refers to the universal life force and ‘ayama’ means to regulate or lengthen. Prana is the vital energy needed by our physical and subtle layers, without which the body would perish. It is what keeps us alive. Pranayama is the control of prana through the breath. These techniques rely on breathing through the nostrils.

Prana flows through thousands of subtle energy channels called ‘nadis’ and energy centers called ‘chakras’. The quantity and quality of prana and the way it flows through the nadis and chakras determines one’s state of mind. If the Prana level is high and its flow is continuous, smooth and steady, the mind remains calm, positive and enthusiastic. However, due to lack of knowledge and attention to one’s breath, the nadis and chakras in the average person may be partially or fully blocked leading to jerky and broken flow. As a result one experiences increased worries, fear, uncertainty, tensions, conflict and other negative qualities.

The ancient sages of India realized these breathing techniques. Some common pranayamas include Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, and Nadi shodan pranayama. Regular practice increases and enhances the quantity and quality of prana, clears blocked nadis and chakras, and results in the practitioner feeling energetic, enthusiastic and positive. Practiced correctly under the right supervision prananyama brings harmony between the body, mind and spirit, making one physically, mentally and spiritually strong.