Read more about the benefits of Pranayam
Physiological benefits
Most people do not breathe deeply - usually we use
only 25% of the lungs, leaving 75% non-functioning.
It is estimated that the lungs are made up of 73 million
cells. During normal breathing only 20 million cells
get oxygen thus 53 million cells remain starved of
oxygen due to which the elimination of toxins is reduced
causing several diseases.
Regular Pranayam can help in purifying the blood.
Breathing air (prana) fills the lungs with the vital
force circulating it through the entire body, first
to the heart then to the lungs throwing out toxins
like carbon dioxide through the process of exhalation.
In addition Pranayam can help with chronic respiratory
conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis,
sinusitis and other ailments such as heart disease,
arthritis, Parkinson's disease, liver cirrhosis, depression,
anxiety and so on.
According to the ayurvedic medical science three
items kapha, Pitta, vayu (phlegm, bile and air) maintain
the physiological condition of the body. Ayurvedic
process of treatment is based upon these three items
(doshas). With pranayam a balance is achieved in the
three doshas, vayu, pitta and kapha.
The prana vayu continues the life and the apana vayu
stops the living force.
Mental health benefits
Great yogis find that chanting the omkara (Om sound)
with breathing control allows one to bring the mind
under control. This is the way of changing the habit
of the mind. The mind and desires cannot be stopped.
To develop the mind to function peacefully the quality
of engagement by the mind has to be changed. The mind
is the pivot of the active sense organs and as such
if the quality of the thinking, feeling and willing
is changed, naturally the quality of actions by the
instrumental senses will also change.
Omkara is the seed of all transcendental sounds and
it is the only transcendental sound, which will bring
about the desired change of the mind and the senses.
Even a mentally deranged man can be cured by the treatment
of transcendental sound vibration.
Breathing control helps to keep the mind calm and
free from negative thoughts. Also by regularly practicing
these breathing exercises one develops practice of
deep breathing which has several health benefits.
Well being that includes good concentration, mental
ability and good memory are achieved with pranayam
exercises.
Physical benefits
Pranayam has several benefits like: Longetivity,
youthfulness and vigour.
Other benefits are in respiratory conditions, Allergies,
Sinusitis, Asthma, inflammatory conditions like Arthritis
and Rheumatism, in Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity,
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) Constipation, Prostate
gland conditions, reducing blockage in Coronary Heart
Diseases, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Rejuvenation
of skin, boosting of the Immune system.
With pranayam and meditation one achieves a transcendental
state. In this state the neuro endocrine system is
regulated involving the pituitary adrenal axis. The
stress hormones like ACTH, Cortisol, Prolactin, Adrenaline
and Noradrenaline are reduced and the other good hormones
and Endorphins and Enkaphalins etc, increase thus
helping in reversing the stress related diseases like
Hypertension and Diabetes.
Pranayam brings a balance in the three doshas: kapha,
Pitta and vayu (phlegm, bile and air).
Spiritual benefits
Consciousness is the sign of the living entity. The
existence of the soul is manifest in the form of consciousness
called jnana shakti. The activity of consciousness
is performed through the air of life, which are called:
prana, apana, udana, vyana, and samana.
Pranayam is meant for concentrating upon the localized
aspect of Vasudev represented as Paramatma, the Super
soul.
Pranayam brings stabilization of prana and calms
the mind thus helping in the upward journey of prana
from muladara chakra (base chakra) to sahastra chakra
(cerebral) and helps in awakening kundalini (energy
centers).
The various pranayam consists of:
1. Bhastrika pranayam
2. Kapal Bhati Pranayam
3. Bahaya pranayam
4. Anulom Vilom Pranayam
5. Bhramri Pranayam
6. Udgeeth Pranayam
7. Concentration on Breathing (Meditation)
