Pranayama Theory

I take refuge in the breath. Breath is all this, whatever there is, and all that ever will be. I take refuge in the breath Chandogya Upanishad

Breathing – yoga terms Inhalation or Puraka Inhalation or Puraka Full pause or Abhyantara Kumbhaka Full pause or Abhyantara Kumbhaka Exhalation or Rechaka Exhalation or Rechaka Pause after exhale or Bahya Kumbhaka Pause after exhale or Bahya Kumbhaka Natural cessation of the breath or Kevala Kumbhaka – a state of complete rest, without strain Natural cessation of the breath or Kevala Kumbhaka – a state of complete rest, without strain Western medicine suggests that for most people more than 5 minutes without oxygen will cause brain damage, but there are exceptions to this rule…… Western medicine suggests that for most people more than 5 minutes without oxygen will cause brain damage, but there are exceptions to this rule……

How do they do it? This discipline requires an extremely high degree of mental control. The freediver must enter a very relaxed state so as to minimise Oxygen consumption. UK Men 8 mins 19 secs Sam Still; UK Women 5 mins 35 secs Liv Philip World Men 10 mins 12 secs Tom Sietas (Germany) World Women 8 mins 0 sec Natalia Molchanova (Russia)

Breathing in Classic Yoga Texts Patanjali: “From the perfection of yoga pose, pranayama naturally follows with a cessation of the movements of inspiration and expiration……regulating one’s breath, prana is extended into the divine life force and the range of prana is felt permeating everywhere”. (II 49-51) Patanjali: “From the perfection of yoga pose, pranayama naturally follows with a cessation of the movements of inspiration and expiration……regulating one’s breath, prana is extended into the divine life force and the range of prana is felt permeating everywhere”. (II 49-51)

Upanishads Kausitaki Upanishad: “Breath is intelligence, and intelligence is breath”. Kausitaki Upanishad: “Breath is intelligence, and intelligence is breath”. Prasna Upanishad: “The lifebreath here arises from the self (atman). As this shadow here, upon a man, so this mind is stretched upon lifebreath: and it enters by a path created by the mind”. Prasna Upanishad: “The lifebreath here arises from the self (atman). As this shadow here, upon a man, so this mind is stretched upon lifebreath: and it enters by a path created by the mind”.

Bhagavad Gita “Some offer up prana, the mysterious vital energy force within them. They do this through control of the breath, literally stopping their inhaling and exhaling” (4:29) “Some offer up prana, the mysterious vital energy force within them. They do this through control of the breath, literally stopping their inhaling and exhaling” (4:29)

Hatha Yoga Pradipika “By systematically restraining the prana (breath) the nadis and chakras are purified. Thus the prana bursts open the doorway to sushumna and easily enters it” (2:41) “By systematically restraining the prana (breath) the nadis and chakras are purified. Thus the prana bursts open the doorway to sushumna and easily enters it” (2:41)

BKS Iyengar Pranayama gives numerous physical benefits including toning the circulatory, digestive, nervous and respiratory systems, activating the internal organs and creating a feeling of energy and calmness. Equally importantly it also brings the mind and senses under control and make the individual fit for the experience of meditation.

“Anyone who can breathe can do yoga” Kausthub Desikachar “Breath is central to yoga because it is central to life…where is death when the breath is controlled?” Krishnamacharya