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Feb 24, 2023 · Pranayama. Pranayama is the formal practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our “prana”, or vital life force. It’s also referred to as breathwork. Here, learn about pranayama exercises and discover breathwork techniques to cultivate a deeper, more mindful relationship with yourself and your yoga practice. Pranayama.
The main philosophy of breathwork is that our everyday lives burden us all with physical or emotional blocks in our bodies which obstruct the flow of prana – our life force / energy. Practising breathwork clears these blocks in our body so prana and breath can flow fluidly, allowing our mind and bodies to function properly, so we feel calm and clear.
Nov 6, 2023 · Discover how Pranayama, the fourth limb of yoga, stills the mind and according to yoga philosophy, weakens karmic imprints. The post also unveils the breath's influence on the nervous system and its ability to moderate stress responses.
- Lauren Reek
- Breath and Asana
- Breath and Mind
- Ujjayi Breath
Biologically
When focusing on the breath during our asana practice, the control of the breath shifts from the brain stem (medulla oblongata) to the cerebral cortex (evolved part of the brain) due to us being aware of the breath. It’s in that moment, when we are aware, when the magic starts to happen. The mind will become quieter and a calm awareness arises.
Emotionally and energetically
As a result emotional stress and random thoughts are less likely to occur. So basically the whole system gets a break. The energy, the prana, begins to flow more freely pushing through any emotional and physical blockages and thus freeing the body and mind. Which results in the “feel good” effect after a yoga practice. So we can safely say that breath has an intimate relationship to the overall movement of prana (life energy) throughout the entire body.
Physically
In our physical practice breath also has everything to do with our structural alignment and the patterns in which we hold, perceive and move the body. Breath awareness can eliminate joint compression and other imbalances from one’s postures and attitudes. Awareness of breath is also the foundation for flowing seamlessly in movement through an Ashtanga Vinyasa practice.
If you have practised some serious meditation you will have noticed and seen that when the breath moves, the mind moves as well. Of course, this works both ways so as the mind moves, the breath moves too. This basically means that the breath gives us a tool with which we can explore the subtler structures of our mental and emotional worlds. When th...
Now the benefits of being aware of the breath within your yoga practice have been made clear, let me finish this article with an explanation of the Ujjayi breath. This pranayama is usually done in association with asana, unlike some of the other forms of pranayama. Ujjayi breath is the type of breath used in a Vinyasa/Ashtanga style of practice. It...
- Breath Awareness Although it is undoubtedly the most simple breathwork practice, breath awareness is in no way easy. This straightforward practice requires you to draw your attention to your breath without affecting its rhythm.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath) This very common yogic breathing technique is often utilized in asana practices. Many flow-style yoga classes encourage students to breathe both in and out through the nose with a slight constriction in the back of the throat to create sound.
- Samma Vritta (Equal Breath) Depending on the yogic school, this simple breathwork technique may sometimes be called “square breath,” "box breath," or “same breath.”
- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath) Nadi shodhana is a deeply soothing and balancing pranayama practice that works by flowing breath through alternating nostrils.
Jan 25, 2024 · You can do pranayama as a stand-alone practice and sit or lie quietly as you experiment with the various breathing exercises. Or you can incorporate pranayama into your physical yoga practice, coordinating your breath with your movements.
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Dec 6, 2021 · Learn what the yoga breath is and how you can use 7 amazing yoga breath exercises to release stress, clear you energy, and focus your mind. What is pranayama, and why does the way your breathe in yoga matter more than the way you move?