Pranayama: The Art of Learning to Breathe

Yoga in philosophy is considered that our breath is intimately related to our mind ; and that is why one of the techniques used to learn to calm and balance what happens in our head goes through learning to control our breathing , and it is here where arises Pranayama.

What is Pranayama?

Breathing (the Greek psyche: breath, soul) is the only physiological function of our body besides being involuntary, it can be controlled consciously.

Within the practice of Yoga this breath control he is known as Pranayama.

Pranayama is done through different techniques for controlling our life force (prana) within our body.

Such techniques are complementary and are learned gradually, as some may be more complex than others.

Inside there are 4 types of Pranayama breathing:

1. Low or abdominal breathing: The most common and it at the time of inspiration, the lower diaphragm for air into the lungs.
2. Half or intercostal Respiration is an incomplete breath is done with the rib muscles that expand the chest box.
3. High or clavicular breathing: It’s surface and requires more effort to get very little air. During inspiration shoulders and clavicles rise as the abdomen contracts.
4. Complete or deep breathing: is the commonly used classes Yoga, being a sum of the 3 above.

What are the stages of Pranayama?

By practicing Pranayama is important to follow the following steps:

1. Puraka or inspiration. At this stage the air must flow freely, chest expansion and movement outward and upward from the ribs. The process should be smooth and uniform.
2. Antara kumbhaka or “retention of internal breathing”. At this stage it is to retain the air in the lungs. It is important to mention that this should only be done if it does not interfere with the fluidity of an inspiration or full expiration.
3. Rechaka or expiration. At this stage the Pranayama requires complete expulsion of air from the lungs is given. This step is crucial as it impurities are removed; plus it helps increase lung capacity for a new breathing deeply penetrate our body. This step should last longer than Puraka.
4. Bhaya kumbhaka or “retention exerna breathing”. Finally this stage is characterized by maintaining empty lungs. This technique usually only Give you more advanced levels.

 How I practice Pranayama benefits?

Pranayama besides being a technique that helps us breathe better, offers many benefits. Some of these benefits are:

• Increases our lung capacity, which will help us get the air in our lungs need fewer breaths, unlike people who do not know how to perform deep breaths, and have complications from it.
• It helps us get tranquility and peace of mind. Thanks to Pranayama, a slow and sufficient breathing becomes the natural state of our body, and learn to avoid tensions that could provoke fatigue and mental fatigue.
• It helps us to have greater physical strength. When we learn to breathe, we achieved greater resistance to physical exertion. Just enough to observe how some people get tired just climb the stairs; This is because they can not breathe properly.
• It helps us to manage anxiety. Generators to conflict or stress and anxiety, correct breathing is our best antidote to learn to control us .
• Improves our digestion, since our body learns to better assimilate food thanks to the increased oxygenation of our blood causes our digestion process more effective.
• It lets us sleep better, since our mind calm. In fact, it helps us to fight insomnia.

Undoubtedly the Pranayama is an excellent technique to learn to control our breathing and other offers many benefits that invite us to practice. We hope this article has been helpful.

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