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centre in the midbrain. These inhibitory impulses from the cortex overflow into the adjoining area of the hypothalamus, concerned with emotions, and quieten this area. Hence, the soothing effect of slow expiration.
The Amritanada Upanishad gives a poetic description of the twin processes of pooraka and rechaka (v. 11-12):
उतिक्षप्य वायुमाकाशे शून्यं कृत्वा निरात्मकम् । शून्यभावे नियुञ्जीयाद्रेचकस्येति लक्षणम् ॥ वक्तेणोत्पलनालेन तोयमाकर्षयेन्नरः।
एवं वायुर्ग्रहीत्व्यः पूरकस्येति लक्षणम् ॥ Raising up the vayu from the akasha (region in the heart) and making the body void (of vayu) and empty, and uniting the soul) to die state of void, is called rechaka. That is called pooraka when one takes in vayu, as a man would take water into his mouth through the lotus stalk.
Classification of pranayama The various pranayamas are obtained by modulating the processes of pooraka, rechaka and kumbhaka. The main classical pranayamas are nine: nadi shodhana, bhastrika, kapalbhati (also a shatkarma), sheetali/sheetkari, bhramari, ujjayi, moorchha, surya bheda and chandra bheda. Some of these pranayamas increase heat and some cool the body down. Some pranayamas stimulate, while others harmonize and relax the nervous system. Nadi shodhana is balancing, bhastrika and kapalbhati are activating, and bhramari and ujjayi are relaxing. Sheetali/sheetkari and chandra bheda decrease the inner body temperature; surya bheda and moorchha increase the inner body temperature.
All pranayama techniques alter the normal breathing rate, but some more than others. Bhastrika and kapalbhati speed up inhalation and exhalation. They may be considered as methods of hyperventilation, where prolonged rapid breathing is practised. Similarly, bhramari, ujjayi, sheetali and sheetkari may be regarded as methods of hypoventilation
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