Pranayama

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Pranayama is an exact science. It is the fourth Anga or limb of

Ashtanga Yoga. It is the regulation of breath or control of Prana.

 

Pranayama steadies the mind, augments the gastric fire, energises

digestion, invigorates the nerves, destroys the Rajas, destroys all

diseases, removes all laziness, makes the body light and healthy and

awakens Kundalini.

 

Pranayama should be practised when the stomach is empty. Be regular

in your practice. Do not take bath immediately after the practice. Do

not practise Kumbhaka or retention of breath in the beginning. Have

only slow and mild Puraka (inhalation) and Rechaka (exhalation). Do

not strain the breath beyond your capacity. Keep the ratio for

Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka as 1:4:2. Exhale very very slowly.

 

Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana. Keep the head, neck and trunk in

a straight line. Inhale slowly through the left nostril and retain

the breath according to the ratio, then exhale slowly through the

right nostril. This is half process of Pranayama. Then inhale through

the right nostril, retain and exhale through the left nostril. Do not

retain the breath for more than one or two minutes.

 

Do ten or twenty Pranayamas according to your capacity. Do not

fatigue yourself. Increase the number gradually. You can go up to

16:64:32. This is Sukhapurvaka or easy comfortable Pranayama.

 

Practise Sitali in summer. This will purify your blood and cool the

system too. Practise Bhastrika in winter. This will cure asthma and

consumption. Repeat 'Om' or 'Rama' mentally during the practice.

Observe Brahmacharya and diet-control. You will derive maximum

benefits and will quickly purify the Nadis or nerves.

 

Prana and mind are intimately related to each other. If you control

Prana, the mind will also be controlled. If you control the mind, the

Prana will be automatically controlled. Prana is related to mind, and

through it to will and through will to the individual soul and

through individual soul to the Supreme Soul.

 

Start the practice this very second in right earnest. Control the

breath and calm the mind. Steady the breath and enter Samadhi.

Restrain the breath and lengthen the life. Subdue the breath and

become a Yogi, a dynamo of power, peace, bliss and happiness.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)