Pran and Pranayam

SR No.: 009371
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Niranjananand Saraswati Swami
Publisher: Yoga Publication Trust
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 369
Language: Hindi
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 11 MB

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the other way around. Correct breathing profoundly improves one's physical and mental wellbeing. Therefore, the first prerequisite of pranayama is conscious breathing, whereby it becomes possible to correct the breathing habits. In order to develop conscious breathing, one must free the mind from emotional tension.
The breath is perhaps the only physiological process that can be either voluntary or involuntary. One can breathe consciously and control the breathing process or one can breathe reflexively or unconsciously. If the breath is unconscious, it falls under the control of primitive parts of the brain, where emotions, thoughts and feelings of which one has little or no awareness become involved. However, the moment one starts to breathe consciously, the frontal brain registers the breath, allowing control of the different hemispheres of the brain.
Natural breath awareness The breath should become a part of one's constant awareness. The first step towards achieving this is to simply become aware of the breathing process. Without awareness, nothing can be achieved in regard to the breath. Although the breathing process continues twenty-four hours a day, one is neither aware nor in control of this vital process. The following techniques can be used to develop increased awareness of the breathing process.
Counting the breath
Sit comfortably or lie in shavasana and practise kaya sthairyam, complete body stillness, for a few minutes. Become aware of the natural breath. Do not try to change the breathing pattern; just become aware of the natural incoming and outgoing breath. Observe this natural process that has been occurring throughout your life, and which has always been taken for granted. You breathe day and night, yet normally you are unaware of even one breath.
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