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Listen to Sample Pranayama Practice Pranayama "the art of conscious breathing" Prana is the energy permeating the universe at all levels... all of the physical energy: heat, light, gravity, electricity, etc. all of our body energies: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual "prana" is our breath ...our life ...our consciousness "ayama" means to stretch, extend, expand, control, regulate As we expand and regulate our breathing, so we expand our consciousness. A slow deep diaphragmatic breath has been shown by research to optimize Heart Rate Variability (HRV) This has positive implications on our neurophysiology like: Improved Cardiovascular Health! Prevention of Disease! Reduction of Stress! Enhanced Performance of all body systems! Pranayama is an art, not mechanical. We must be gentle and respectful and never forceful with our breathing. "Just as lions, elephants and tigers are gradually controlled, so the prana is controlled through patience and consistent practice. Otherwise the practitioner will be destroyed." ~ Hatha Yoga Pradipika ESSENTIALS FOR PRANAYAMA PRACTICE: 1. STABLE UP-RIGHT SPINE 2. STILL AND ALERT MIND 3. QUALITIES OF BREATH: DEEP, SLOW, QUIET, REGULAR, SMOOTH AFTER YOUR PRACTICE REST IN SAVASANA New!! Pranayama CD Available Now!! To download MP3: click here to go to Amazon.com To purchase CD: click here to go to products page Pranayama Techniques: Ujjayi - "victorious breath" slightly closing off the glottis creates a throat valve to help you regulate your breath in and out of both nostrils. This also creates heat. Surya Bhedana - Inhale right nostril, exhale left nostril ( has a heating effect) Candra Bhedana - Inhale left nostril, exhale right nostril (has a cooling effect) Nadi Shodhana - one cycle is the following: exhale left nostril inhale left nostril exhale right nostril inhale right nostril (has a balancing effect and cleanses the nadi channels) Sitali - Inhale through curled tongue, exhale through both nostrils (has a cooling effect) |