The Pranayama Therapy

Eisha Sarkar

Posted on Hello Wellness on Sep 22 2010 9:53PM

 
Hold your breath and your troubles will go away! From asthma sufferers to diabetics, from heart patients to insomniacs, Pranayama, the ancient yogic practice of breath control, has now become a popular form of therapy.

The Sanskrit word ’prana’ means breath or life force, while ‘ayama’ means regulation or control. The process of breathing chiefly involves inhalation and exhalation. In normal breathing you use only one fourth of your lung capacity. The deep and systematic breathing in Pranayama strengthens your lungs, improves blood circulation and relaxes the mind.

How to do Pranayama

• Wear loose-fitted clothing. Sit in a comfortable position with your legs folded and back straight. Relax your shoulders and concentrate with your eyes closed.
• Practise sectional breathing by placing one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a deep breath by expanding your stomach. Keep your chest stable. Count till five while slowly releasing the air by contracting the stomach
• Repeat the same hand position and this time breathe in to fill your chest. Feel your shoulders lift, while you keep your stomach stable. Exhale and feel your shoulders and chest relax
• Fill your stomach and chest with air by expanding your stomach. Your shoulders will lift simultaneously. Expel the air very slowly by contracting the stomach and relaxing your shoulders
• Use your right thumb to gently pinch your right nostril. Inhale and exhale through your left nostril five times. Now use the little finger of your right hand to pinch your left nostril and breathe in and out through your right nostril.
• Inhale through your right nostril while blocking the left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your left nostril by blocking the right nostril with the thumb. Do it for five counts and then swap.

Other than its calming effect, Pranayama helps improve blood circulation, concentration, immunity, and the digestive system while keeping anger, depression and anxiety at bay.

Pranayama should not be done right after yoga postures. There should be a gap of at least 45 minutes. Do NOT do Pranayama if you are pregnant, hungry or have fever.