Prana, the breath, and the mind are inextricably linked to each other.
The ancient yogis advocated the practice of pranayama to unite the breath with the mind, and thus with the prana or life-force. Prana is Energy and Ayama is the storing and distribution of that energy. Ayama has 3 aspects or movements: vertical extension, horizontal extension, and cyclical extension. By practicing pranayama, we learn to move energy vertically, horizontally, and cyclically to the frontiers of the body.
Breath in Pranayama
Pranayama is not deep breathing. Deep breathing tensed the facial muscles, makes the skull and scalp rigid, tightens the chest and applies external force to intake or release of breath. This creates hardness in the fibers of the lungs and chest, preventing the percolation of breath through the body.
In Pranayama, the cells of the brain and the facial muscles ramain soft and receptive, and the breath is drawn in or released gently. During inhalation, each molecule, fiber and cell of the body is independently felt by the mind, and is allowed to receive and absorb the prana. There are no sudden movements and one becomes aware of the gradule expansion of the respiratory organs, and feel the breath reaching the most remote part of the lungs.
In exhalation, the release of breath is gradule, and this gives the air cells sufficient time to re-absorb the residual prana to the maximum possible extent. This allows for the full utilization of energy, thus building up emotional stability and calming the mind.
The practice of asanas removes the obstructions which impede the flow of prana. During pranayama, one should be totally absorbed in the fineness of inhalation, exhalation, and in the naturalness of retention. One should not disturb or jerk the vital organs and nerves, or stress the brain cells. The brain is the instrument which observes the smooth flow of inhalation and exhalation. One must be aware of the interruptions which occur during a single inhalation and exhalation. Check these and a smooth flow will set in. During retention of breath, learn to retain the first indrawn breath with stability. If this stability is lost, it is better to release the breath, rather than strain to hold it. While inhaling or retaining the breath in pranayama cycle, remember to ensure that the abdomen does not swell.
to be continue.....
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