“Breathing in, I calm body and mind.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know that this is the only moment.”
-Thich Nhat Hanh

The Sanskrit word pranayama consists of two parts: prana and ayama. Ayama means “stretch” or “extend,” and describes the action of pranayama. Prana refers to “life force” or “the energy that is infinitely everywhere.” So in practicing pranayama, we are extending our life force.
The way we move prana through the body is by our breath and our intention. When we experience pain or tightness, it is considered a blockage of energy, and by focusing our intention to breathe into those places, we can help to release the pain or tightness or blockage. This is the more tangible purpose of pranayama. But remember, all yoga practices are to reconnect us to the Divine within, so when practicing these basic breathing exercises, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
The following exercise can help students become more in touch with the anatomy and physiology of breathing deeply, as well as the energetic aspects of breathing deeply. The practitioner should be in a comfortable position, such as easy sitting pose or a supported reclining restorative pose.

Want to read more? Subscribe...