Stress control with pranyama

Our busy and tedious lifestyles produce lots of stress. Stress has a tremendous influence on our behaviour and attitude towards life. People get indulged in smoking, intake of alcohols, overeating etc.
Stress induces adverse effects on our normal body system such as circulatory and digestive system. The symptoms of the physiological disorders include nausea, diarrhea, acne, eczema, cold feet, palpitations etc.
Pranyama is the solution to all such problems. It is an efficacious stress buster tool that encompasses varied postures, asanas and poses. Pranayama should be practiced on a regular basis. It is a gamut of breathing exercises that maintains a harmony between the mind and body. It offers you mental composure. However, it should be clear in mind that pranayama should be done under the strict supervision of a strict professional. It relieves you of the stress and anxiety and helps you to acquire spiritual growth.

Virasana: Ideal pose for pranayama

The word “Virasana” refers to “Hero Pose.” It is an ideal pose for pranayama. All you need to do is first kneel down on the floor and join both the knees. Then keep a distance of 17—18 inches between both the legs and keep your buttocks on the floor such that inner calf touches the thighs and toes touch the floor backwards. Now keep your wrist on your knees in such a way that palms face upwards. When you are done with this step then you need to bring the tips of thumbs and forefingers of both your hands close and rest other fingers stretched. Also you need to keep your back straight and be in the same pose as long as you can and start deep inhalation.
While deep inhalation, put your palms on your knees and interlock your fingers and bring your hands over your head. Now continue with this position for a minute and keep doing deep breathing. Now separate your interlocked fingers and make them touch your soles and start exhalation. Now bend and touch your knees with your chin. Relax to come out of the pose.

Surya Bhedi Pranayama

To keep yourself physically active in the chilling winters, you must start practicing Surya Bhedi pranayama as it maintains the flow of energy in the body. There is a particular way of doing Surya Bhedi pranayama. You need to sit in a room on a woolen or straw mat with your neck straight and eyes closed. Then, you need to close your left nostril with your left ring finger. Take a deep breath and inhale the air as much as possible.
Now, shut your right nostril with your left hand thumb. Retain the air for as long as possible. Open your left nostril now and exhale gradually. You need to repeat this exercise at least 10—15 times a day.
There are a number of advantages of doing this pranayama. Firstly, it triggers blood purification and gives sufficient warmth to the body and helps in curing several dermatological and gastrointestinal diseases. It also improves the digestion and voice quality of a person.

Swara Yoga: Higher form of pranayama

The higher intricate form of pranayama is constituted by Swara yoga. If we talk in yogic terms, the word ‘swara’ refers to unobstructed flow of oxygen through one nostril. Swara practice brings the person doing it closer to bliss. The traditional pranayama comprises of gaining hold over breathing by inhalation, retention and exhalation.
However if we talk about Swara yoga, breathing exercises become a bit more difficult. These exercises reach out to all your daily activities such as eating, sleeping, bathing, waking, socializing etc.
The people who succeed in doing Swara yoga are most often able to gain complete hold of their lives. They are able to achieve success in all the spheres of their lives. Eventually, they acquire social, physical and mental well being.
‘Swaras’ occur in three varied forms namely, Ida Nadi, Pingala Nadi and Sushma. The lunar cycle influences these types of swaras. It is difficult to master these swaras but once done, you are sure to be successful in all domains.

Mantras to be recited during pranayama

Isvara Gita is the religious book wherein the mantras that should be recited during pranayama are written. The person who does regular practice of pranayama should repeat Gayatri mantra atleast thrice along with Vyahritis, Siras and Pranaya. All these form the cycle of breathing and help in the regulation of breathing.

Pranayama should always be coupled with mantras as these bestow a divine blessing and you get to see the results fast. Inhalation and exhalation, both should be restrained and regulation of breath is triggered by Pranaya.

Pranayama is often done with constant mantra recitation by Paramhamsa Sannyasins. Ishta mantra should be recited by you. The duration of pranayama should be increased from time to time. After each round of pranayama is over, one should take a break of 5 minutes. Do some normal breaths. Kumbhaka is not there in the exercise. However, the duration and intensity of pranayama should be increased and also recitation of mantras.

Be wiser with pranayama!

Are you running short of time? Do you find 24 hours less to accomplish your tasks? Well, this is the problem of all of us today. We all lead hectic lives today due to our busy work schedules. Multitasking is the call of the hour. But you cannot do that until you are mentally composed for doing the same.
Now, what will help you gain your mental strength? Well, it’s the power of pranyama that will enable you to achieve your targets. Two types of pranayama exercises are very beneficial for you. These are namely, Kapalbhati yoga pranayama and Breath of Fire yoga pranayama. These exercises offer lots of benefits. The above mentioned exercises trigger the energy pathways and give a tremendous boost to your energy levels. So, you do not feel indolent or drowsy. During Breath of Fire yoga pranayama, do not inhale deep. Instead, keep the air in the nostrils and breathe out quickly.
With time, you will notice that your wisdom has increased and you are able to manage your tasks quite efficiently and effectively.

Get rid of cardiac diseases!

The demanding lifestyle has paved the way for immense stress in our lives. Life has become too chaotic and stressful. In such a scenario, our body has to face extreme physical and mental stress. This puts a direct adverse effect on the heart. Heart is an important organ of the body that coordinates all the body tissues and maintains a healthy life.
Heart suffers from these reverse effects when the anxiety levels reach maximum. A holistic approach that comprises of herbal medicines and spiritual practices like yoga and pranayama is required to cure the ailments related to heart.
Pranayama dissolves depression and anxiety, the main cause of cardiac problem. It can cure your heart problems. Pranayama comprises of breathing exercises that have positive effect on cardio-pulmonary system. Pranayama exercises relax the muscles of heart and improve the oxygenation of blood thereby curing the heart problems. If you do pranayama on a sustained basis, rest assured that you will find a solution to the cardiac problems.

Different methods of doing mental pranayama

You can do mental pranayama by different methods. Let us take a glance at the following techniques:
Ø When you do pranayama, start chanting OM mentally at each round (Chakra) of the cycle. You can also recite Bija mantras (mantras of deities) while doing it.
Ø Try to see an imaginary white hollow tube that runs from Mooladhara to Sahasrara. Also, try to visualize all the seven chakras on it, namely Mooladhara, Swadhistana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishudhi, Ajna and Sahasrara. Now while doing pranayama, try to touch all the seven chakras along the length of the white hollow tube.
Ø Look at the candle flame that goes up and down along the length of the white hollow tube. Try to trace the entire path mentally.
Ø See in your mind's eye the bright Sun that goes up and down along the length of the white hollow tube. Again, try to trace the entire path mentally.

Shauchapranayama

Do you know what Shauchapranayama is? No worries! Let us try to understand it first. It refers to cleansing of breathing. It is in fact the first step of pranayama. Shauchapranayama plays a vital role in detoxifying the impurities present in the lungs and clean them effectively.
It is easy to get started with Shauchapranayama! All you need to do is adopt a comfortable and convenient pose. First, keep your hands on both your knees. You are not required to shut down your eyes while doing this pranayama. Gradually inhale the fresh air deep into the lungs and retain the air as long as possible. The moment you feel uncomfortable, stop air retention. Now without inhaling any dose of fresh air through nostrils or mouth, exhale the air forcefully. Now bend forward in such a way that your forehead touches the ground and breathe it out completely. Once done with that, breathe normally. You can repeat the exercise four to five times. Start cleansing and developing your lungs with Shauchapranayama now!

Bowel cleansing with pranayama

Bowel cleansing is essential for keeping the body healthy as improper bowel motion causes the undigested material to get deposited in the colon and cause deterioration of health. This is more commonly seen in people with unhealthy lifestyles.

Bowel cleansing is a kind of cleansing action that should only be done under the supervision of a professional. Varied bowel cleansing actions are readily available in the market to serve the purpose. However, you have a natural therapy available at your ease.
It’s none other than pranayama!
Pranayama when coupled with balanced diet and herbal supplements do the wonders for restricted bowel action. These naturally cure and cleanse the bowels. Pranayama greatly influences the digestive system and thereby helps in cleansing the bowel action. A cleaned up colon has a remarkable influence on the general health and fitness of the body of an individual. To cleanse the bowels, one should do pranayama on a regular basis in the early morning.

Pranayama for Enlightenment

Pranayama is the quickest and easiest path to enlightenment. It unclogs the energy blockages and relieves the body and mind of all the tension and anxiety. Your body is relaxed and the mind is focused. These breathing exercises remove all the obstructions that in any way hamper the enlightenment process.
In addition to pranayama, Samadhi Samyama is of great help. Its effects are many times faster and evident. Pranayama and Samadhi Samyama form an integral part of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These trigger the energy enlightenment process. The deep breathing exercises oxygenate your blood and flush out all the toxins from the body and make it healthy. This healthy body and stable mind open the doors for enlightenment process. The enlightenment process further encompasses soul infusion, removal of negative energy, energy circulation, purification of mind and bodily spirits etc. Pranayama is actually a guide to your soul. So start doing it from today!

Treat Insomnia with Pranayama!

Pranayama addresses varied ailments. Sleep disorder, insomnia, arises due to the imbalance that occurs in our body and mental balance. Pranayama helps to concentrate and provide the body with relief from stress.
Insomnia can be really terrible. It can be erratic or regular. But in both the cases, it obstructs the general flow of life. People suffering from insomnia suffer from anxiety, stress, depression etc. It makes the person feel helpless.
Instead of turning to sleeping pills and other artificial means to combat the problem, start practicing yoga and pranayama. Pranayama establishes a balance between mind and body and also treats stress and depression. Pranayama completely treats the people, who have intermittent or irregular sleep cycles.
Pranayama if done correctly and on a regular basis prepares the body for proper sleep. Not only pranayama relieves you of stress and anxiety, but also gives required dose of energy to the same. Pranayama casts a significant influence on the body and nervous system thereby regulating the sleep cycle and giving enough peace to the mind and body.

Get rid of excessive weight in hypothyroidism with pranayama!

If one has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is clueless about the treatment, he needs to be clear about his diet plan and exercise schedule. Hypothyroidism is often marked by increase in weight, which is actually very difficult to deal with.
Here comes yoga and pranayama to your rescue. Pranayama will help you to lose weight, which is related to hypothyroidism. These pranayama exercises help a great deal in shaping up the body and maintaining the hormonal balance of the same. Pranayama plays a great role in improving the production of enzymes in the body.
Thyroid hormones are responsible for maintaining the metabolic rates of the body. Pranayama and its varied types of exercises along with a balanced diet can restore the hormonal balance of the body. But it should be taken care of that pranayama should not be done without consultation with the endocrinologist. Sarvangasana is the most beneficial asana to deal with hypothyroidism.