1. Pranayama

2. prana – Vital Energy
yama – to contain
Therefore: Pranayama means containing the vital energy in the body through focused breathing

3. Yoga is breath and breath is life
Breath initiates birth and death

4. Breathing connects the world
the air we breath is the same air people on the other side of the world breath
toxins from China caused high rate of autism in California

5. Committing to a breathing practice
purify the mind
release negativities (samskaras)

6. Lung Capacity
poor posture and lack of awareness of the breath is suffocating us
shallow breathing =
fatigue
sluggishness
negative thoughts
depression
constricts the process of digestion and elimination

7. The Lungs extend from the base of the ribs to the collar bones
from the front of the body to the back (the shoulder blades)
the whole body moves with the breath
up and down
front to back
side to side

8. The diaphragm
the diaphragm moves in concert to the breath – with each inhalation and exhalation
the diaphragm drops as the lungs fill and releases back up as the lungs deflate

9. Types of breathing
Clavicular breathing – most common and least effective
Shoulders and collarbones (clavicles) lift while abdomen draws in on inhalation
Requires much effort and has low return

10. Intercostal breathing
ribs expand and release but breath is incomplete and fills only two chambers of the lungs

11. Deep abdominal breathing
oxygen is carried to the base of the lungs or the largest portion where most oxygen uptake occurs
diaphragm is used but it is incomplete because the other areas of the lungs are not used

12. Full Yogic Breathing
also known as – three part breathing or diaphragmatic breathing
combines all three styles of breathing
it fills and empties the lungs completely
most effective while relaxing or lounging
essential breath – original natural way of breathing

13. Empowered thoracic breathing
or diaphragmatic breathing
method of breathing during asana practice or other physical activities
lower abdomen (uddiyana bandha), just below naval center, is drawn in and up to stabilize abdominal organs and lumbar spine
breath mainly fills ribcage area – charging the core with heat and power
difference to intercostal is awareness and core engagement

14. Directing the breath refine channels of prana (energy)
learn to focus the mind
awaken the body
promote health
those who breathe properly emanate radiance, vitality and beauty
the breath has healing potentials