Page 13 - Lesson 21.xps

Pranayam MODULE-5
Yogic Practices
2) Mark the following statements as ‘True’ or ‘False’

a) Sheetali Pranayam helps in cooling the body and mind. ( )

b) In Ujjayi breathing, both inhalation and exhalation are
through the nose. ( )

c) People who are introvert by nature can do Ujjayi Pranayam. ( )
d) In Surya bhedi Pranayam we inhale through the left nostril Note
and exhale through the right nostril. ( )

e) Just after abdominal surgery or hernia one should not
practise Bhastrika Pranayam. ( )

21.4 HOW PRANAYAM PRACTICE LEADS TO
MEDITATION AND SAMADHI?

In yogic meditation, breath training is essential preparation for deep meditation
and Samadhi on the path to self-realization. When we try to meditate it is
extremely common to have tension in the muscles and noisy thoughts in the
mind. The nervous system is the mediator between the tense body and the noisy
mind. One of the best ways to regulate that nervous system, and in turn the body
and mind, is through the breath. Breath is the bridge between the body and the
mind. Regulate breath, and the body and mind will follow. Patanjali in his text
of yog Sutras mentioned the holding of breath as important practice in reaching
up to Samadhi. So this is achieved through Pranayam practice. As we have studied
pranayam is the way to control or regulate breath. With pranayam one can control
or regulate pranic flow and achieve a healthy state of body and mind, and can
attain higher states of awareness and self-realization.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

The word Pranayam has two Sanskrit roots - ‘Prana’ and ‘ayam’. “Prana”
means vital energy and life force. “Ayam” means stretching, extension or
expansion or control. Therefore, control of breath is Pranayam.

Controlling Prana through Pranayam steadies the mind and cleanses the
body

Pre- Pranayam Practices are the processes of Pranayam concerned with
the breathing. So, if it is done in a wrong manner, it may harm us. Therefore,
some preparations are needed. They are- Asan and Breathing Practices.

Physical Education and Yog
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