Page 14 - Lesson 21.xps

MODULE-5 Pranayam
Yogic Practices
Asan - To successfully practise and attain the full benefits of Pranayam, it
is necessary that it should be built on the solid foundation of a steady and
comfortable Asan. Thus one should attain expertise in any one of these
Asanas- Siddhasan, Sukhasan Padmasan.

Breathing Practice- Breathing lies at the centre of human existence.
Therefore, it forms core of any Yogic practice. There are four types of
breathing- Natural, Abdominal, Thoracic and Yogic breathing.
Note Components of Pranayam- There are three components of Pranayam –

Poorak, Rechak and Kumbhak.

There are different types of Pranayam told in yogic scripture and the common
in all of them are Suryabhedi, Ujjayi, Bhramri, Bhastrika, Sheetali and
Sheetkari, Nadi shodhan/ anulom- vilom.

Nadi shodhan literally means “channel clearing”. It is a basic and purifying
Pranayam that alternates the blockage of each nostril to channel air in
concentrated flow.

Bhramari Pranayam- we exhale making a humming sound similar to
humming sound of bees.
Sheetkari Pranayam- In this we inhale through our mouth with the sound of
‘sheetkar’ which is produced on inhaling.
Sheetali Pranayam- As the name ‘sheetal’ suggests cool, calm and soothing,
this Pranayam also helps us to achieve the same in practice.

Ujjayi Pranayam- This Pranayam is about mimicking the oceanic sound or
the sound of the waves. Both inhalation and exhalation are through the
nose.

Bhastrika Pranayam- This Pranayam resembles the blowing of bellows,
hence it is called Bhastrika Pranayam. Basically it is fast breathing,

Suryabhedi Pranayam- To pierce or purify Pingala Nadi is suryabhedi
Pranayam. In this Pranayam, we inhale and exhale through the right nostril.
In yogic meditation, breath training is essential preparation for deep
meditation and Samadhi on the path to self-realization. Breath is the bridge
between the body and the mind. Regulate breath, the body and mind will
follow accordingly. This is how Pranayam leads to meditation.

TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1) Describe the role and importance of pre-Pranayam practices.

2) How breath, prana and mind are influenced by each other. Explain.

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