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Importance of Kumbhaka
he process of respiration has three components: pooraka,
inspiration; rechaka, expiration, and kumbhaka, retention. In the classical yogic texts it is said that kumbhaka is pranayama and pranayama is kumbhaka; not pooraka and rechaka, which are natural processes. However, one must remember that inhalation and exhalation are a part of retention. In order to retain the breath, it is necessary to inhale as well as exhale. Therefore, the three components of the breath are also the three parts of pranayama.
Inhalation is described as the active or positive breath, exhalation as the passive or negative breath, and kumbhaka represents the transcendence of duality. Inhalation is the active process of respiration and requires muscular effort to draw air into the lungs. Normal exhalation is passive and does not require muscular effort; rather, the diaphragm and ribcage recoil back into their original places. In pranayama, rechaka is often a slow and controlled process. Generally, it is either the same length or twice the length of pooraka. The main advantage of conscious exhalation is that it develops conscious control over the relaxation response. Slow rechaka is performed spontaneously, for example, when one moans or groans in pain, for this removes pain from the pain centre in the brain. The conscious effort required for slow release of the breath needs the help of the cerebral cortex of the brain. The cerebral cortex sends inhibitory impulses to the respiratory
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