FAQ on Pranayama

:: Could you explain Pranayama briefly ?
:: As a beginner, how can I prepare my mind and body to achieve the full benefit from the practice of Pranayama ?
:: What are the benefits of practicing Kapalabati ?
:: Can I start practicing Pranayama merely by reading text books on this subject ?


Could you explain Pranayama briefly ?
Prana means "THE BASIC LIFE PRINCIPLE" and Ayama means "EXPANSION, so Pranayama, one of the eight limbs[Ashttanga]of Pathanjali's Yoga sootras enables you to expand the basic life principle[vital energy, latent potentialities] by regulating and controlling breathing patterns.

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As a beginner, how can I prepare my mind and body to achieve the full benefit from the practice of Pranayama ?
As Pranayama involves different breathing patterns, including suspension of breathing and control of breath, before venturing into it ,one needs to prepare his body and mind by practicing sectional breathing [Abdominal breathing, Thoracic breathing, claviclar breathing], and Kapalabati(cleansing practices)

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What are the benefits of practicing Kapalabati ?
Kapalabati is a starting point for the practice of Pranayama. Here exhalation is active and inhalation is passive. This is achieved through vigorously contracting and relaxing abdominal muscles.

BENEFITS:

At the PHYSICAL LEVEL- Expels maximum amount of toxins, and Carbon Dioxide from the blood, reduces asthma, strengthens abdominal muscles etc.

AT the SPIRITUAL LEVEL-Gives clarity of thought, control of temper and other tangible benefits. CONTRA INDICATION-Ischemic heart disease, highly hypertensive, congenital abnormalities of heart.

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Can I start practicing Pranayama merely by reading text books on this subject ?
The influence and impact of pranayama is not just confined to Respiratory system, but, also on the functions of sushmna nadi[spinal cord and associated nerves], ajna chakra[budhi]. So, the benefits range from the physical level[A natural curative impact on various ailments] to the spiritual level[For gaining control over mind, clarity of thought, and then gradually attain the state of complete bliss]. As the different steps and methodologies in Pranayama have their own indication and contra indication, with varying benefits ,to get a safe, optimum and desired end result, one must start practicing only after having a consultation with an ayurvedic Doctor [who is also trained in Yoga and Pranayama].

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