Prayanam Breathing
Breathe in peace, breathe out stress

Prayanam:
The Art of Breath Control

Pranayama is an integral part of Hatha Yoga. It focuses on regulating the breath to enhance physical, mental, and Spiritual well-being. Pranayama is derived from two Sanskrit words: "Prana," meaning life force or vital energy, and "Ayama," meaning extension or expansion. Through Pranayama, practitioners learn to control their breath, which is believed to help control the mind.

Apart than the ancient Hatha Yoga in Hinduism (Which is mother of all breathing methods) - Various breathing techniques all across the world are practised to control the breath to influence the flow of prana (vital life force) in the body.

  1. Buddhism:
    In Tibetan Buddhism, there's a breathing practice called "Nine Round Breathing" or "The Nine Purification Breaths," which is used for purifying the subtle energy channels in the body.

    It is a Tibetan Buddhist breathing practice used for purification and centering the mind. It is often practiced before meditation or as part of a larger ritual. The practice involves a series of nine inhalations and exhalations, each with a specific visualization and focus. The breaths are believed to cleanse the subtle energy channels in the body, remove obstacles, and prepare the mind for deeper meditation.

  2. Taoism:
    Taoist breathing practices, such as "Dao Yin" or "Daoist Yoga," emphasize deep, diaphragmatic breathing combined with movement to cultivate Qi (life energy) and balance Yin and Yang.

    Taoism is a philosophical and Spiritual tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, often translated as "the Way," which is the fundamental force that flows through all things in the universe. Taoist practices include meditation, Tai Chi (a form of martial arts), herbal medicine, and various forms of energy cultivation, including Qigong.

  3. Qigong (Chinese Traditional Religion):
    Qigong practices include various breathing techniques combined with movement and meditation to cultivate Qi and promote health and longevity.

    Qigong (pronounced "chee-gong") literally means "energy cultivation" or "working with the life energy." It is a holistic system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for health, Spirituality, and martial arts training. Qigong practices vary widely, ranging from gentle, flowing movements to static postures and dynamic exercises. They are designed to balance and enhance the flow of qi through the body's energy meridians.

 

Types of Yogic Breathing

There are several types of Pranayama practices, each with its unique technique and benefits. Some common types of Pranayama include:

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing):
Nadi Shodhana is a balancing Pranayama technique that involves breathing through alternate nostrils.
It helps balance the flow of prana in the body and calms the mind, reduces stress.

Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath):
Ujjayi Pranayama involves breathing deeply through the nose, with a slight constriction at the back of the throat to create a soft hissing sound.
This technique promotes relaxation and concentration.

Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath):
Bhastrika Pranayama is a dynamic breathing technique that involves rapid and forceful inhalation and exhalation.
It helps increase energy levels and clear the mind.

Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath):
Kapalabhati involves short, forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations.
This technique cleanses the respiratory system and invigorates the body.

Sheetali Pranayama (Cooling Breath)
Sheetali Pranayama is done by inhaling through the mouth and exhaling through the nose.
It has a cooling effect on the body and helps in calming the mind.

Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Sun Piercing Breath):
This Pranayama involves inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left.
It is believed to activate the body's solar energy and increase vitality.

Chandra Bhedana Pranayama (Moon Piercing Breath):
This technique involves inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right.
It is believed to calm the mind and cool the body.

Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath):
This Pranayama involves making a humming sound (buzzing sound like a bee) while exhaling.
It is believed to calm the mind and reduce stress anxiety.

Murcha Pranayama (Fainting Breath):
This advanced technique involves holding the breath for an extended period after inhalation.
It is said to induce a state of deep meditation.

Lets practise Naadi Shodhan Breathing with Guru Ji

One of the most accessible and effective pranayama techniques that can be done anywhere, including at home or in the office, is Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing). It helps balance the flow of prana in the body, calms the mind, and can be practiced for short or longer durations.

Nadi Shodhana is a pranayama technique that is part of Swar Vigyan, which is the science of breath or the study of the flow of air through the nostrils. Swar Vigyan is an ancient yogic science that deals with the subtle aspects of breath and its effects on the body and mind. Nadi Shodhana, by balancing the flow of prana (life force energy) through the nostrils, is believed to harmonize the body's energy channels and bring about a state of balance and well-being.

 

Steps of Nadi Shodhana:

Sit comfortably with your spine erect and shoulders relaxed.

  1. Place your left hand on your left knee in Jnana Mudra (touching the index finger to the thumb).

  2. Use your right hand's thumb to close your right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril.

  3. Close the left nostril with your right hand's ring finger, release the right nostril, and exhale completely.

  4. Inhale deeply through the right nostril, then close it with your right thumb, release the left nostril, and exhale completely.

  5. This completes one round. Continue for 5-10 minutes, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable.

Nadi Shodhana can be done for just a few minutes as a quick relaxation technique, or for longer durations for a more profound effect. It can help reduce stress, improve focus, and bring a sense of balance and clarity to your day.

 

Understanding Golden Breathing with Guru Ji

आमूलात् किरणाभासां सूक्ष्मात् सूक्ष्मतरात्मिकाम् |
चिन्तयेत् तां द्विषट्कान्ते श्याम्यन्तीम् भैरवोदयः || २८ ||
āmūlāt kiraṇābhāsāṃ sūkṣmāt sūkṣmatarātmikām |
cintayet tāṃ dviṣaṭkānte śyāmyantīm bhairavodayaḥ || 28 ||
Vigyan Bhairav Tantra

Imagine the subtlest possible form [of prāṇa] as rays of light shining upward from the root [of the central channel] and peacefully dissolving in the highest center above the crown; then Bhairava (spacious awareness) arises. || 28 ||

Meditate on the Śakti arising from the mūlādhāra cakra, scintillating like rays (of the sun), and getting subtler and subtler till at last she dissolves in dvādaśānta. Thus does Bhairava become manifest.

"Dvādaśānta" refers to the "twelve-finger width" which is approximately the distance of twelve fingers placed together. In the context of meditation and the subtle body, it represents a point located about twelve finger-widths above the crown of the head. This point is considered significant in certain yogic traditions and is associated with higher states of consciousness or Spiritual awakening.

Golden shaft in the spine
Meditate on the energy, rising up from the base of the spine like golden rays of the sun and becoming subtler and subtler until it dissolves at the crown of the
head in the luminous Oneness.

As this energy ascends, it transforms into a potent force known as kundalini, a fundamental aspect of Spiritual awakening. This awakened energy serves to elevate our consciousness, liberating us from a sense of separateness and connecting us with the unity of all life. To access this subtle aspect of our being, we can visualize shafts of golden light rising through the central channel, gradually becoming more refined until they merge into a field of pure light. By focusing on this imagery, we can dissolve any remaining denseness in our awareness..

 

Word-by-word Breakdown

आमूलात् किरणाभासां सूक्ष्मात् सूक्ष्मतरात्मिकाम् |
चिन्तयेत् तां द्विषट्कान्ते श्याम्यन्तीम् भैरवोदयः || २८ ||

आमूलात: / आमूलम् = from the root; from the start, from scratch, from the beginning
किरणाभासां = rays of light;

** भसद् - anus (Mooladhara)
The bandha that requires anus sankuchan (contraction of the anus) is called Mula Bandha, also known as the Root Lock. It involves contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor, including the muscles around the anus, to channel and control the flow of energy (prana) in the body during yoga practice.

सूक्ष्मात् = than the subtle;
सूक्ष्मता - precision, nano, subtlety, fineness, minuteness, accuracy

सूक्ष्मतरात्मिकाम् = consisting of the very subtle (agreeing with an unstated feminine noun, probably prāṇa-śakti);
"subtler self" or "subtler soul" refers to the innermost, subtle aspect of oneself, often associated with the Spiritual or transcendent nature of the self.

सूक्ष्मतर - scarcely audible, more subtle or minute

** तरति{तॄ} - swim, , float, fulfil, crossover, surpass, study to the end, save, sail across, perform, overcome, live through, get through, gain, fulfil, escape, compete, carry through or over

चिन्तयेत् = one should/may imagine, visualize, or meditate on;
चिन्तयति{चिन्त्} - think, take into consideration, consider

तां = it, that;

द्विषट्कान्ते = in the end-of-twelve (i.e. the dvādaśānta at or above the crown of the head);
द्विषष् - 2x6
"द्वि" (dvi, meaning "two"), "षट्" (ṣaṭ, meaning "six"),
"कान्त" (kānta, meaning "edge" or "boundary")

श्याम्यन्तीम् = becoming quiescent, dying away, dissolving, becoming peaceful;
** "becoming dark" or "turning black" describing something that is changing color to dark or black.

भैरवोदयः (भैरव and उदय) = the arising of Bhairava.

Lets Practice: Golden Light in the Spine with Soham

#1 With your Breath In (So), feel or imagine a golden energy sphere, like the sun, at the base of your spine.


#2 When Exhaling Out (Ham), Imagine the golden energy sphere this becomes palpable, feel the energy rising up your spine like a shaft of golden light emanating from the sun.


#3 Focus on the subtle sensation of the rising energy becoming finer and finer, gradually dissolving any residual sense of individual self until you merge at the top of your head in a field of pure light.