Tuesday 1 September 2015

Pranayama

Introduction of Pranayama-
Pranayama is one the activity in the Yoga. The Sanskrit word pranayama comes from the roots prana (Universal energy), and yama (to control). Pranayama makes practice on breath control.. Breathing is so simple and so obvious we often take it for granted, ignoring the power it has to affect body, mind and spirit. 
With each inhale we bring oxygen into the body and spark the transformation of nutrients into fuel. Due to pranayama, we can achieve body and mind healthy Each exhale purges the body of carbon dioxide, a toxic waste. So the yogi mostly relies on his/her breath for the absorption, assimilation and manipulation of this vital energy.


Pranayama is also used in preparation for meditation, and in asana,the practice of postures, to help maximize the benefits of the practice, and focus the mind. Patanjali in his text of Yoga Sutras mentioned pranayama as means of attaining higher states of awareness, he mentions the holding of breath as important practice of reaching Samadhi.
Pranayama cures our body internally if you practice regularly. These seven pranayama are excellent breathing exercises for our healthy life and releasing stress and depression in fast life.
Pranayama takes about 50 minutes to complete the whole process of seven pranayama. According to experts these seven pranayama are enough to become healthy and fit.
Pranayama cures and prevents cancer, blood pressure, stress, anxiety, stomach disorders, depression, diabetes, heart problems and so many health issues and many more decieses.

Early morning is the best time to practice pranayama and after you take a bath. Wear loose clothes and sit straight.


 Seven pranayama as follows:

Bhastrika Pranayama –

Bhastrika is the excellent breathing exercise which we can practice slowly or fast as per our convenience. A person who is suffering from Heart problem and Lung problems should practice slowly other wise slowly increase the speed of breathing.

  • Steps for Bhastrika Pranayama:
            1. Sit comfortably on flat ground. Those who can’t sit on ground can sit on
            chair  because this pranayama is related to the breath.

            2. Take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs with air
            and then exhale with hissing sound.

            3. Inhale deeply and exhale completely.

           4. Do this for 2 min to 5 minutes max and see the result in a few days.

Kapalbhati Pranayama-

Kapalbhati pranayama is very effective in curing stomach disorder, obesity, digestive disorder and many problems related to stomach. Those trying to loose weight can practice Kapalbhati regularly and see 100% results. lets see its benefits and how to do kapalbhati Pranayama.

  •  Steps for Kapalbhati Pranayama:

           1. Sit on the flat floor and fold your legs. keep the spine straight and close
             the eyes.

           2. Keep the right palm on right knee and left palm on left knee.

          3. Now take a deep breath and exhale with all your force  so your stomach
               will go deep inside.
       4. When you exhale with hissing sound try to think that your disorders are
              coming out of your nose.

Do not stress on inhaling. Inhalation should not involve any effort. Inhaling will be done automatically after each exhaling.
Repeat these steps for 5 minute and take rest. You can increase the time for 15 – 30 minutes.
Should not practice very fast. Speed of practice should be medium.

3. Bahya Pranayama:

In this pranayama the breath is kept outside during the practice so it is called Bahya Pranayama. Bahya means “outside”.  It should be done after kapalbhati pranayama. 

  • Steps for Bahya Pranayama:

     1. Sit in pose of Padmasana or Siddhasana.

   2. Take a deep breath and exhale completely (breath out) to  evacuate lungs as much as possible.

   3. Hold your breath and touch your chin to the chest is called (Jalandhar Bandha or Throat lock). By pulling your stomach in and up under the rib cage such that the stomach and back seem to touch each other from inside. It is called (Uddiyana Bandha). Lift the muscle from groin area is called (Mulabandha or Root lock).

  4. Hold this three bandhas for some time as much you can 10-15 seconds then breathe in deeply to release these three locks.

   5. Repeat Bahya pranayama for 2-5 minutes daily.


4.Anulom Vilom Pranayama :

It is very effective to purify mind and body. Anulom Vilom pranayama is one of the excellent breathing exercises which is also know as Nadi Shodhana. Regular practice offers energy in the body and releases stress and anxiety. It should be practiced in the morning in the fresh air with empty stomach.

  • Steps for Anulom Vilom Pranayama:

    1. Sit comfortably on flat ground. Those who can’t sit, can sit on chair because this is related to the breath.

   2. Now close right nostril with right thumb and breathe from left nostril. Then close left nostril with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nostril.

   3. Now breathe in deeply with right nostril and then close right nostril and breathe out deeply with left nostril. Do the repetition.

   4. Do this for 5-10 minutes.

   5. Keep in mind that your breathing should be up to the lungs and not in the stomach.

5.Bhramari Pranayama:

 Bhramari pranayama is the excellent breathing exercise which plays an important role in releasing agitation, frustration and anger. It is the best breathing exercise in calming your mind. ‘Bhramari ‘is the type of ‘Indian bee’ and ‘pranayama ‘means breathing. So it is called as Bhramari Pranayama. 

  • Steps for Bhramari Pranayama (Humming Bee Breath):

    1. Sit straight in the Padmasana  or Sukhasana  and press your tragus with your thumb.

   2. Place your index fingers on the forehead and with the remaining fingers close your eyes.

   3. Start inhaling through both the nostril deeply and slowly.


6.Udgeeth pranayama: 

It is known as “Omkari Japa” means chanting of “Om”. Udgeeth pranayama is the simple breathing exercise. Should be practiced on a daily basis like other 6 recommended pranayama.

  • Steps of Udgeeth Pranayama:

   1. Sit in a suitably relaxed posture.

   2. In this pranayama the inhaling and exhaling duration should be long.
   3. Inhale deeply and while exhaling chant Ommmmmmmmm for a long time as much you can.

  4. In all pranayama the breath plays an important role. So concentrate on your breath and feel the positive energy comes when you inhale and negative energy goes out while exhaling.

   5. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes.

7.Pranav Pranayama:
This is the last seventh pranayama. After practicing all six pranayama concentrate your mind on inhaling and exhaling for some time this is called Pranav pranayama. This is very simple breathing exercise.

  • Steps for pranav pranayama:

   1. Sit in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana quietly.

  2. Breathe normally and concentrate your mind on inhaling and exhaling.

 3. While practicing Pranav pranayama imagine that God is everywhere in every particle.
 4. Practice for 3 minutes to 1 hour as per your available time.


Benefits of Yoga:

1. One can get great determination, focus, and memory by practice of pranayama. 

2. For over originating from all-psychosomatic infections like hypertension, diabetes, sorrow, a sleeping disorder and so forth. 

 3. Reduced Breathing Rate

4. Pranayama Practice Increase Life

5. Improves Blood Circulation

6. Pranayama for Healthy Heart

7. Pranayama for Functioning Of Body Organs

8. Makes Better Mental Health

9. Better Breathing Improves Quality Of Life in Old Age





Panchakarma

Panchakarma:

       Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means “five actions” or “five treatments”. This is a process used to clean the body of toxic materials left by disease and poor nutrition. Normally the body has the innate ability to efficiently process and remove these waste materials, including the vitiated doshas. Panchakarma will remove the excess doshas and correct imbalances in them as well as eliminate the harmful ama out of your system through the body’s own organs and channels of elimination (colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, etc).
      Panchakarma purifies the tissues at a very deep level. It involves daily massages and oil baths, herbal enemas, nasal administrations. It is a very pleasurable experience. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for maintaining mental and physical hygiene and balance.

 Panchakarma includes:

Vamana:
Vamana is removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate them. In Ayurveda Vamana has been described as the treatment which helps to throw out the doshas or the toxins out of the body from upper part in the form of inducedvomittings. 
Vamana is helpful in Bronchial asthma, Cough, Heart burns, Anorexia, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Lunacy, Anaemia, Obesity, Goiter, Urticaria etc.


  Virechana:
Virechana or purgation is as important purificatory technique as Vamana.Virechana is medicated purgation therapy which removes Pitta toxins from the body that are accumulated in the liver and gallbladder. It completely cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract. It is a safe procedure without side effects. 
The action of the medicine depends on the type of digestion. The nature of the patient’s bowel determines the medicine and its dose. 

virechana is helpful in diseases in which virechana is helpful are Piles, Jaundice
,Chronic Indigestion Nasal Congestion, Edema, Obesity, Psychological disorders
Basti :
Basti(Enema) is considered as the mother of all Panchakarma treatments. It cleanses the accumulated toxins from all the 3 doshas : Vata, Pitta and Kapha, through the colon. Basti is the process of injecting the fluid material through the anal, urinary or vaginal channel. Basti is of two types Decoction and Oil base i.e. with Kshayas and Snehas. Sneha basti is given in small dose therefore known as matrabasti. 

Basti is helpful in diseases basti can be given are Constipation, Retention of urine, Emaciation, Distention of abdomen, Numbness of any par, Headaches, Cervical and Lumbar spondolosis, arthritis, hemiplegia, facial paralysis etc.
Nasya:
          Nasaya is as important as any of the other treatments of Ayurvedic treatment. Nasya involves administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region. Based on the medical condition of a person, it can be given up to 20 to 30 days as per patient health.many of the nerves emanating from the head have their ends extended to the inner.
 Nasya is helpful in the diseases are well treated by Naysa : Throat diseases, Swelling affecting all parts above shoulder, Mumps, Tumours, Skin Diseases, Headaches, Migraines, Voice constrain, Dryness of mouth and nose, Speech impediments, Paralysis of the arms and many other diseases.nose.
Raktamokshana:
         This fifth course of treatment means blood letting from the human body.Blood or Rakta is considered as an important dhatu of the body by Ayurveda.             
 Raktamokshana is a procedure to cleanse the blood and is advised only in extremely rare conditions. It is NOT advised during general Panchakarma. Most Ayurveda Centers including ours do not offer Raktamokshana due to the high risk of infection involved in blood cleansing. 
Rakta mokshna helpful in the  diseases like Leprosy, Psoriasis, Leucoderma, Depigmentation, Haemorrhoids, Pruritis, Spleen disorders, Indigestion, Mouth ulcers etc.

Benefits of Ayurveda:
   1.  No side Effects: Ayurveda Medicines are made up from natural source. Hence, No chemical effects.
    2.  Achieving overall balance: Ayurveda maintain health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.
     3. Effective treatment: An Ayurvedic treatment brings about wellness to the entire body and has also been found to effectively cure many chronic diseases.
     4. Reducing stress: Ayurvedic massage and panchakarma Treatment for reducing or relieving stress include the tonics and activities mentioned for physical well-being.
     5.Natural Healing System: Ayurveda constitutes natural methods of treatment ranging from herbs, natural diet and massage.
   6. Building Immunity: Ayurvedic medicine, a multitude of herbs, vitamins, minerals and proteins are mixed together to prevent and combat immune disorders. Hence, Building immunity.
    7. .Optimal guidance: Ayurveda also helps in giving guidance to the patients as to how to keep the diseases away just by following simple diet plan and changes in lifestyle.
   8. Getting Better: Ayurveda accomplishes so many of the mental, physical and spiritual parts of feeling good or getting better.