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16
Preliminary Breathing
Practices
Each of the three elements of pranayama: pooraka, rechaka
and kumbhaka, can be controlled in various ways. More benefit can be obtained from pranayama practices by increasing the degree of control over each of the elements of breathing. Breath control means altering: • Duration of inhalation, exhalation and retention • Depth of inhalation and exhalation • Force of inhalation and exhalation. Duration refers to the time taken to perform a complete inhalation, exhalation and retention. Depth refers to the degree of expansion or compression of the lungs during inhalation and exhalation. Force refers to the amount of muscular effort applied to produce inhalation and exhalation or to maintain retention.
As the pranayama practice becomes more advanced, an extended duration of breathing and retention is required. It is necessary to progress comfortably, without strain or the need to take interim breaths. Hence, along with duration, the depth of breathing should be increased in order to meet oxygen requirements. At the same time, the force of the breath should be correspondingly minimized to decrease oxygen consumption and tension in the body. The following techniques are suggested to gradually extend breathing capacity.
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