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Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) :- |
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Life Energy is called prana (prah-nah). In sanskrit, the word for breath is the same as the word for life - prana. The first thing you do as you enter this world is to inhale. Your last act in this life is to exhale. When prana leaves the body, we die. The breath is a metaphor for life energy. In yoga, and in Ayurveda, we seek to sustain and enhance the life force as much as possible - absorbing as much prana through breath, food, visual surroundings, sound, all our senses as possible. The most significant way of doing this is through the practice of pranayama (prah-nah-yah-mah), breathing techniques or breath control. Yama (yah-mah) is translated as control, discipline, regulation or mastery. Hence, some translate pranayama as "breath control." Ayama (ah-yah-mah) is expansion, growth, extension,augmentation or magnification. Hence, another translation is "expansion of the life force." Both are loosely translated as "breath control," but realize that there is much more behind this definition. |
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| Pranayama |
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Why Practice Pranayama?
Yoga may be an ancient Eastern tradition, but I am a modern, Western person. Why should I practice this? What direct, proven benefits are there to me? AHA! GOOD QUESTION! I was hoping someone would ask this! There are many proven benefits to pranayama (the practice of breathing techniques). I will list some of the benefits, and then cite a few examples.
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| Basic Guidelines |
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Blow your nose, clearing your nostrils as much as possible before beginning.
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Begin practicing pranayama in a room-temperature (68 degrees Farenheit) environment. Extremely cold or hot air can affect your health adversely. Also, please do this in FRESH air - no smoke, chemicals, or other harmful elements in your environment. Air will be pulled more deeply into your lungs, and it need to be clean and fresh.
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Breath through the nostrils only, unless otherwise specified.
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The fluidity of your breath is the priority - if your breath begins to be choppy or uneven, stop what you are doing and allow your breath to return to its own, natural rhythm.
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If you begin to feel faint, dizzy, flushed, or light-headed, stop what you are doing, and allow your breath to return to its own natural rhythm. This is a result of the increased oxygen levels in the body, which your body may not be accustomed to. You can increase your pranayama practice and use of oxygen gradually.
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| PRANAYAMA TECHNIQUES |
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Abdominal Breath - also called the "Diaphramatic Breath", "Natural Breath" - allows one to breath deeply into the lungs, using the diaphragm. Begins to reset our patterns from shallow chest breathing to deep, healthy, belly breathing.
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Dirgha Pranayama - (pronounced "DEAR-gah) also called the "Yogic Breath", "Three-part breath" and "Complete Breath" - completely fills our lungs with oxygen. expands and stretches the lungs gently, increasing lung capacity. Brings a higher level of oxygen into the blood stream
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Ujjayi Pranayama - (pronouned OOOO-jah-yeee) "Ocean Sounding" or "Victorious" breath (in Kids Yoga we call it the "Darth Vader" breath) The sound created by this breath has been described as a "soft hissing sound" or a "gentle snore." This in one of the most important breathing techniques in yoga. Increases body heat, the sound calms and focuses the mind, allowing you to relax more deeply, can be used to either lower blood pressure and slow heart rate, OR to increase blood pressure and heart rate, depending upon whether one is utilizing the Ashtanga style of forceful ujjayi or the meditative style of slow and soft ujjayi. Used for pain reduction, insomnia, and migraines.
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Nadi Shodhana - (pronounced NAH-dee SHOW-dhah-nah) the "Sweet Breath", "Channel Purification Breath" or "Alternate Nostril Breath"- brings balance to the right and left hemispheres of the brain
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Kapalabhati - (pronounced kah-PAH-lah-bah-tee) "Skull Polishing Breath" - increases circulation, energizes the body, brings a high level of oxygen into the blood stream
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Breath of Fire - "Bellows Breathing" - strengthens chest and diaphragm, loosens spine, stretches lungs, controls the breath at a different level.
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Analoma Veloma - (pronounced annah-LOW-mah veh-LOH-mah) Advanced Breathing Technique for experienced meditators and yogis who already have an established breathing practice. Brings one to a deep, contemplative state of mind, and mastery over the physical breath.
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| Our Specialization in Traditional Indian Yoga --> |
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Basic Asanas (Poses & Postures),
Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) &
SHATKARMAS (The Six Cleansing Pratices. Which are part of Hatha Yog eg: Nethi Pot, Dhoti, etc.)
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