Breathing Exercises (Pranayama)
Benefits of breathing techniques pranayama
- Body becomes strong and healthy
- Too much fat is reduced
- There is shine in the face
- Eyes sparkle like diamonds
- Apetite becomes keen
”Pranayama is the link between the mental and psychical disciplines. While the action is physical, the effect is to make the mind calm, lucid and steady” Swami Vishnudevanda
In today’s society, most people have mind-based occupations (rather than physical ones), yet the typical work routines consist of sitting at a desk , where the flow of fresh air is minimal and optimal breathing is diffucult.
Anuloma Viloma, or Alternate nostril breathing, is one of the main forms of Pranayama, or breath control. Literally meaning ”control of prana”, pranayama consist in specific breathing techniques that encourage the absorption of Prana in to the body’s subtle energy channels (nadis) and energy centers (cakra), enchancing overall vitality and well being. Alternative nostril breathing corrects many negative breathing habits, as well as helping you to balance how you use two sides of your brain- the logical left side and the creative right. Research has shown that there is a connection between this and the airflow in our nostrils: when the right nostril is is more open, the left brain hemisphere is more active, and vice versa.
In Sanskrit ‘kapala’ means skull; ‘bhati’ means shining. Kapalapbahti is considered to be cleansing to the entire system that, when practiced on regular basis the face shines with good health and radiance.
The two basic pranayamas are
Forceful breath – Kapalabhati
Alternate nostril breathing – Anuloma Viloma
