According to Patanjali, the founder of Yoga philosophy, pranayama clears the mind and prepares it for focus. Prana is the vital force or cosmic energy that drives all motion, even that which occurs within an atom.
The prana—the energy or force—is responsible for all movement, including thinking movement. Prana is electricity. Prana is the energy that allows you to breathe.
Prana governs your digestion. Although the many functions have distinct names, they are all the same stream or energy known as prana. Control, regulation, or mastery are all terms used to describe Ayama.
Pranayama is the control or regulation of prana, not the retention of prana. It's about correctly channeling the prana and directing it in the direction you choose.
Inhalation (puraka), expiration (rechaka), and retention (pranayama) are the three primary aspects of pranayama (kumbhaka).
There's also a part when you don't do anything; your respiration simply ceases. Kevala kumbhaka is the term for automatic retention that occurs without any effort.
- This is our initial goal: the breath should come to a complete halt without any effort on our part.
- The major goals of pranayama are to cleanse the body and mind, as well as to calm and control the mind.
You may simply bring the mind to a peaceful condition by doing some slow, deep breathing with complete emphasis on the breath if you are agitated, anxious, or anxious.
The movement of the intellect and the movement of the prana—here, the movement of the breath—go hand in hand. They are mutually reliant.
You may control the mind by controlling the prana.
- Consider the following scenario: you are actively considering an issue or attempting to comprehend a piece you are reading.
- Your mind is completely focused on it; simply break that concentration and pay attention to your breathing.
You'll be astonished to discover that you're not breathing, or that your breathing has nearly stopped.
That's why, after such strong focus, you take a deep breath to compensate for the momentary lack of oxygen. It is for this reason that we meditate: to develop prana calm.
Even the mind's motions come to a halt, so the breath comes to a halt as well. There is full mental, vital, and bodily stillness.
That is why you are required to sit silently and firmly, without moving your body or blinking your eyelids. As a result, there is no movement of the body, no breathing, and no cognition.
So, what is the accomplishment?
- The goal is to have no waste or underutilization of your body's electricity, or prana. The flow of prana in your body comes to a halt. As every technician knows, there is a build-up of static energy in that stillness.
- Heat is created in that static condition. Because of the heat built up, if you sit silently for some time and meditate profoundly, you will perspire abundantly. And it is this heat that makes its way through the entire system. It is this heat that awakens the mental forces, which have been latent for a long time.
- Kundalini is the name given to the main component of the power. It is roused not by forceful activity, but by halting all movements and accumulating that static heat within.
- Unfortunately, many individuals mistakenly believe that pranayama entails exaggerated breathing or holding your breath until your blood vessels break. That is quite hazardous.
- Despite the fact that retention is mentioned in the literature, we should not aim for it at first. It should happen over time. The majority of Yoga texts recommend a 1:4:2 ratio.
So, a newbie begins by inhaling 10 times, stopping forty times, and exhaling twenty times. You might be able to perform it a few of times before becoming fatigued. That is something that should never be done. You may experience ecstasy, but it is dangerous.
People claim they feel like they're going to pass out, yet they have pleasant experiences. Don't expect such experiences to be of any use to you. You could eventually encounter something that puts a stop to all encounters.
According to the Vedas, you should practice nadi suddhi (alternate nostril breathing) on your own for several months, along with other good practices.
If you follow all of the other yogic disciplines for eating, drinking, sleeping, and so on, you should see results in two to three months. Before you can continue to hold your breath, you must first see and experience the benefits.
- The entire body will become light, and all of the senses will be awake, just by practicing nadi suddhi alone.
- You're ready for a little retention when you can easily practice nadi suddhi for 30 to 50 breaths at a 10:20 count (inhale for 10, exhale for 20).
- However, before moving on to the next phase, make sure you can do at least 30 to 50 breaths at that count.
- You should not feel strained even if you are doing it for the 50th time. You are not ready if you become exhausted after 5 or 10 repetitions. Retention should be reduced.
- Your exhalation must be effortless at all times. If it's challenging for you, you've retained more than you can handle.
- Gradually increase the retention until you achieve the 1:4:2 ratio. You don't need to go beyond that, but you should increase the amount of pranayamas.
- So, let's take it slowly and gradually increase our capacity. First, work on your nerves. Nerve cleansing is referred to as nada suddhi.
Your body must be strong enough before you can hold your breath.
You should be familiar with your system. It's like to forcing air into a brittle tube, which can rupture. As a result, you must use extreme caution when using pranayama.
Slow and steady is the way to go if you truly want to reap the benefits. Gradually increase the amount of time you spend on it.
Our practice is not just focused on pranayama.
- The major goal of our practice is to quiet and manage the mind.
- You will be able to easily manage your thoughts after you acquire the 1:4:2 ratio.
- Then focus your attention on your japa (mantra recitation) or meditation.
There's no need to rush these things; take your time, do them perfectly, and stick to the discipline. Everything requires some time and a certain way.
