As you know, breathing yoga exercises – pranayama – directly affect the flow of prana, ie vitality in our body. This energy flows in the so-called fine “pranic body” (Pranamaya Kosha ) of special channels called nadi ( “River”) *, not always and not at all the same. In application of pranayama is more important than even breath control (achieving technical perfection – the basic level of practice), and “elongation”, expansion of prana throughout the body (energy excellence, quality – master level), it is called ” prana-ayamoy “, and in addition, a” vision “and feeling the flow of prana in the body (” Prana Vidya “- the level of an adept teacher). Because There are many causes of pollution pranic channels and major nodes or centers, which passes the prana may be weakening and “doze” – or vice versa, to be cleaned, active and strong – you can also talk about the process of purification and awakening pranic body.

While some treatises say that Sushumna – central channel through which goes the most powerful flow of prana, kundalini – always clean, yet there is no doubt that numerous secondary channels ( Ida , Pingala and other minor) have to be cleaned . This can be compared with the fact that we need to arrive at the airport and get on a plane, but first have to popetlyat the narrow and sometimes crowded streets secondary stream of cars before we extirpate ourselves on a high-speed highway and rush off with the utmost speed.

Pranayama techniques, to put it briefly, just provide us with the methods by which we can awaken and direct the flow of life force in the beginning of a secondary “streets” (numerous secondary channels), and then on the “highway” – Sushumna. Already in the process of performing this task, ie, long before the awakening of the Kundalini and the more of the ultimate realization of their potential (Kundalini rise of the Sushumna in the Sahasrara chakra ), we can really feel very positive and sometimes even amazing changes in your body, emotions and mind (consciousness).

The practice of pranayama is useful and necessary not only to yogis and those who aspire to a spiritual awakening. The breathing techniques of yoga first bring health (and therefore used in yoga -therapy many diseases), excellent health and vitality (therefore used by athletes), clarity of mind and powers of persuasion to gain people, ( Pranayama – “secret weapon” top manager) as well as the strength of Viveka ( “discernment”) – ie vision of their true capabilities and goals, as well as the motives and thoughts of other people (so many sages, ” Guru ” – a yoga have attained mastery of prana). The practice of Pranayama can also be achieved Siddha – superhuman powers (clairvoyance, clairaudience, mind reading, wish-fulfillment, etc.). Achieving spiritual or more mundane purposes Pranayama – it is up to you. Thus, the motivation for practicing Pranayama can be different.

Treatises on yoga yogis are full of enthusiastic praise, “knowledgeable” (in Russian translation), one or the other pranayama: they are called divine heroes, supermen, sages, etc. But we should not delude ourselves: after receiving theoretical knowledge of any practical technique is still, of course, it is not its implementation. So, people first thought of flying into space, still standing on the ground – he has yet to do a great job fantastically.

The yogi who has mastered even one Pranayama to perfection (in practice, not in theory) do “superman” in many ways, etc. Such epithets are not excessive, however, relate only to the one who has mastered the advanced levels of pranayama practically rather than theoretically. Therefore it is better to practice some basic daily pranayama and achieve well-known in their success than the “scientific study” on the books hundreds of different secret techniques of prana control and almost nothing to learn. However, it should be to learn and basic theory of pranayama: the structure of the pranic body (5 kinds of prana), to study in detail the technique of performing basic pranayama, mudras and bandhas. In addition, usually it takes 1-3 months for beginners to practice pranayama entry level before proceeding to the core. During this period should also take Shatkarmas (yoga cleaning) and postures (e.g., a complex ), and ideally also be fed easily digestible and rich food prana (natural fruits and vegetables, milk and rustic al.).

During the illness, including colds and other diseases, receiving antibiotics Pranayama is not practiced. Women during menstruation, it is recommended to do only Pranayama, which do not cause discomfort (Ujjayi, Nadi shodhana), and do bandha.

Techniques pranayamas main levels:

Kapalabhati pranayama – Cleansing Breath (the literal translation of “enlightenment of the skull”).

Simple enough to implement the technique of yoga. We sit in any comfortable position with your back straight. Fingers of both hands can be kept Chin or Gyana- ( “Dzhnyana-“) mudra. We begin to make active, noisy breaths through the nose; breath – spontaneous, due to stomach relaxation. Execution speed – about 1 (for beginners) -2 (advanced) respiratory cycle (breath-breath) in the second. You can breathe out simultaneously with the movement of the second hand watches. The practice is traditionally done in 3 sets of 20-50 cycles or time – 5-7 minutes respite necessary. If the equipment for you become comfortable, increase the number of breaths in their approach, and also can make the delay. For beginners, recommended a delay on the exhale (as they have a cathartic effect), for experienced yogis – inspiratory (because they are full of energy already cleansed the body). In case of delay on the exhale experienced practitioners do 3 bandha ( “Castle”): Jalandhar bandha, Uddiyana bandha and then Moola -bandhu – in that order, as it were from the top down. Remove the bottom up bandha – Mula, Uddiyana, Jalandhar. In case of delay on inspiration made two bandha: Mula- bandha and Jalandhar bandha.

Agnisara -kriya – “purifying breathing fire”, causes an increase in metabolic and protective processes of the body, the process of elimination of toxins, toxins, and generally improves digestion.

Perform a slow deep breath, then a full exhalation. Slightly lean forward to drawing on his knees (straight elbow). We do Jalandhar bandha, holding your breath on exhalation . Then start rhythmically tense and relax your abdominal muscles, making thus “churning” the abdominal wall movement back and forth * – as many times as comfortable on the delay (in any case do not “by force”). When holding the breath became uncomfortable, remove the Jalandhar Bandha. Raise the head and doing a slow, deep breath. Wait until breathing returns to normal. All this is one approach. Beginners do 3 sets of 10-15 “shaking” the belly. Keep doing 3 sets of 30 times or more experienced – 50-100 churning stomach on a comfortable delay after expiration.

* “Gurgling” sounds in the abdomen or a feeling that “abdominoplasty beating on something inside” are not a sign of wrong doing.

Nadi Sodhana Pranayama – technique for balancing the flow of prana in the body (used after practicing asanas, or yourself).

At the beginning of a blind eye and execute “several minutes constricting breathing .” Then proceed to the basic practice. Do Nasagra Mudra (presses the pads of middle and index finger to eyebrow center – Brumado). Close the right nostril with your thumb and make a slow, deliberate breaths through the left. Close the left nostril with the ring finger (you can use the little finger). Open the right nostril and exhale through it perform. Again, breathe in through the right nostril. Shifting fingers. Exhale through the left. Inhale through the left … etc. Full cycle (circle): inhale through the left nostril, exhale through the right, inhale through the right, exhale through the left (after the drop the right hand).

When this technique was the usual, go to the rhythmic breathing, ie, calculate the length of the next room in the exhalation (mentally pronounces ” ohm -1″, “Ohm-2”, “Ohm-3”, etc.), and doing next breath the same number of bills. If it’s comfortable – we continue to alternate breathing under the bill. Delay between inhalation and exhalation specifically do not, but mentally observe delicate moment of transition in the inspiratory breath, and vice versa. Exercise should be done, the longer the better, stress-free (at least 3-5 minutes, with the possibility of – 21 respiratory cycle, and more). If the right hand gets tired, you can keep the elbow from under the bottom of the left hand, while retracting the shoulders slightly back and down and relaxes them.

Bhastrika pranayama – machinery for filling energy. (see previous articles)

Ujjayi Pranayama – “mental breathing Yogi” to calm the mind and achieve concentration. (see previous articles)

 

PS On the importance of breathing practices of yoga in general, surveillance of their use, and on pranayama initial level we wrote in a previous publication .

 

Author: Alex Sokolowski

·         In addition to the three osnovnovnyh, the human body has about 72,000 thin channels.