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Energetically – pranayama helps clear the nadis (energy channels), balance the hemispheres of the brain and activates the chakras – changing the energetic and mental attitude of the practitioner. Physically, breathing exercises helps to tone and strengthen the primary muscles of respiration
• What are the fundamental benefits of pranayama? • According to B.K.S. Iyengar, how does pranayama begin and end? • Why is patience required for safe and effective pranayama practice? • What is a fundamental caution against teaching pranayama? • When practicing kumbhaka, what is important for safe practice?
• Describe three breath training basics will prepare students for formal pranayama. • Why is a self “check-in” at the beginning of practice valuable? • What types of postures are effective for teaching breath awareness?
Prāṇāyāma – Respiration Control. Haṭha Yoga teaches us that, in addition to the maintenance of a posture (āsana) in perfect immobility, the other condition required to reach deep mental concentration is the control of breathing (prāṇāyāma).
Due to exercise, anger, passion and anxiety the respiration rate increases, straining the heart and decreasing the life span. The slow, deep breathing and retention of breath in pranayama helps to compensate for the damage incurred by rapid, shallow breathing.
Pranayama is conscious breathing—not deep breathing. Pranameans energy or life force and pranayama is the channelling of energy within the body. In this way someone can be doing deep breathing without necessarily doing pranayama. This conscious element is what gives pranayama its potency.
Pūraka both Nostrils with Ujjāyī. Recaka both Nostrils with Ujjāyī (Not taught as a Prāṇāyāma technique per se, but as a breathing technique in and for Āsana and Mudrā and as an introductory or preliminary or transitional seated breathing exercise) Kapālabhāti.
