PRANAYAMA

Written by Christine Glover

Pranayama is the term used to describe yoga breathing techniques. Some Pranayama exercises are extremely simple but when developed into a daily routine become a powerful rejuvenation therapy. The prana is the vital life energy present in all thing in the universe. The highest function of our prana it thought. The most powerful expression of our prana is in love. We can extend our love to others and ourselves to begin a renewal process. Asana are the yogic postures and have an influence on the prana and the effective performance of pranayama.

“The normal breathing rate is fifteen times a minute and 21,600 times in every 24 hours. However, the number varies according to your way of life, health and emotional state. Pranayama lengthens the time taken by each inhalation and exhalation, thereby slowing down the process of ageing, its practice leads to a longer life.

In old age the respiratory function decreases, due to contraction of the air cells of the lungs, which take in less oxygen. Pranayama will help to normalise their size and make the red corpuscles circulate in all parts of the body, infusing life and vigour throughout. By its practise even old people can delay the ageing process.

The overall length of the nerves in the body is around 6,000 miles, their function is delicate. Asana (yoga exercises) and pranayama keep the nervous system clean and clear, aiding an uninterrupted flow of energy, a steady steam of life giving prana through the whole body down to a cellular level.” (BKS Iyengar – Light on Pranayama). Asana practise brings elasticity to the fibres of the lungs for better performance of pranayama