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Focus of the Month - The Breath & Prana
"Prana is the universal source of breath, life-energy and conscious intelligence - as the navigating source of yoga practice and vital living". Shiva Rae
When my sister was pregnant with her second child, her doula gave her some advice for labor. "Just breathe," she told her, "sometimes all you have to do is breathe." In a world where we are accustomed to thinking and doing and deciding our way forward, the notion of ceding control of all but our breath seems outrageous. But if you've ever faced a tough situation where you've tried everything but improved nothing, you might have noticed that at some point things shifted on their own. Maybe circumstances changed, or maybe it was your reaction to them, but ultimately something evolved. It's useful to wonder what would have happened if, from the beginning, instead of worrying and scurrying, you had just, well, breathed.
Yogic tradition teaches that prana -- air -- is the primary life force, yet we spend much of our time unaware of our own breathing. Unconscious, often shallow, breathing does an inadequate job of inhaling oxygen and expelling toxins (especially carbon dioxide), leading to ailments ranging from premature aging to stress. Pranayama, the formal practice of controlling breath, is a fundamental part of yoga. Even in its simplest form, a Pranayama practice invites mental clarity, emotional calm, and physical well being. As renowned yoga teacher and writer Donna Farhi describes it, "Full body breathing is an extraordinary symphony of powerful and subtle movements that massage our internal organs, oscillate our joints and alternately tone and release all the muscles in the body. It is a full participation with life."
Fortunately, a Pranayama practice is easy to adopt both on and off the mat. Simply noticing your breath is a great start. My husband, Ian, has taken this a step further by setting his cell phone alarm to ring every hour, a reminder to pause in his busy work day and take 10 deep belly breaths. For a more intense practice, there are multiple Pranayama techniques -- ranging from Dhirga Pranayama (long breath) to Kapalabhati Pranayama (breath of fire)-- each with its own specific benefits. In Vinyasa Yoga, the style of yoga we practice at Flow, movement and breath are coordinated.
Pranayama
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/673
Pranayama (Sanskrit: prâṇâyâma) is a Sanskrit word meaning "lengthening of the prana or breath". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prâna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "âyâma", to lengthen or extend. It is often translated as control of the life force (prana). When used as a technical term in yoga, it is often translated more specifically as "breath control".
"Prana is a subtle invisible force. It is the life-force that pervades the body. It is the factor that connects the body and the mind, because it is connected on one side with the body and on the other side with the mind. It is the connecting link between the body and the mind. The body and the mind have no direct connection. They are connected through Prana only and this Prana is different from the breathing you have in your physical body." — Swami Chidananda Saraswati
"Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Prana means also ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite." — Paramahansa Yogananda
Several researchers have reported that pranayama techniques are beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders,improving autonomic functions, relieving symptoms of asthma, and reducing signs of oxidative stress. Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.
Many yoga teachers recommend that pranayama techniques be practiced with care, and that advanced pranayama techniques should be practiced under the guidance of a teacher. These cautions are also made in traditional Hindu literature. wikipedia
Investigate Your Breath -- Breath of Life!
I was running errands last weekend when every young family that I saw caught my eye. I have a 19 month old girl and another baby on the way, so I’ve been quite family focused lately. When I got home, I noticed that I felt antsy, numb and wasn’t breathing consciously. I finally realized something was amiss, but had no idea what it was. “Ok”, I thought to myself, “Let’s see what’s here.” I gathered up my courage, sat down, closed my eyes and took slow breaths. Quickly, a stream of tears began flowing down my face. What I was feeling suddenly became crystal clear. I felt intense love and gratitude for my life and family, and at the same time, fear of not being a good enough mom for my growing family. I kept breathing into the feelings and followed the sensations with my breath until there was quite, ease, and space. I found my truth through my breath and was left feeling present and free instead of numb and fearful. I found more life!
We all have the tools to tap into the power and wisdom of our breath every moment. We can do it when we are sitting in the car, at our desks, or while on our yoga mats. Take the risk to breathe more consciously this month and notice the effects on your life.
October Inquiries
Take some time to try out, journal or talk about these inquires. Get curious!
Take a breath every time you hear a phone ring.
Put 10 sticky notes up around your home and office that say, “BREATHE”.
Make a date with your breath. Set your calendar to go off every hour and breathe.
When you are anxious or feel emotion choose to stop and breathe into it.
How does breathing consciously, on or off the mat, allow you more space for life?
Julie Schwartz --Contact Julie for more information about life coaching, yoga @ Flow, and other Vivid Living offerings. Email: Julie@vividliving.net or visit her website at www.vividliving.net.
Our Previous Monthly Focuses
Twists
Relax and Renew
Gods and Goddesses
Meditation
Agni (Fire)
The Yamas
Bakasana
Chaturanga
Bhandas
Saucha
Backbends
Inversions
Chanting
Meditation
Compassion
Impermanance
Chakras
Blissful Hips
Sun Salutations
Warrior Poses
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) |
