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Introduction to Pranayama breathing techniques for beginners

 

Pranayama breathing techniques

Meaning of Pranayama

Pranayama is made up of two words - 'Prana' and 'Ayam'.  'Prana' refers to the air (life force) circulating in the body and 'Ayam' means regulation (control).  In this way, Pranayama means - to control the action of breathing.  By practicing this, the whole body remains healthy.

General rules of Pranayama

  1. The place for doing pranayama should be clean and airy.  If you practice sitting in an open place or near water (river, pond etc.), then it is best.  . 

  2. In cities, where the effect of pollution is more, it is very good to scent the place by lighting a lamp of ghee or incense sticks before doing pranayama.

  3. Use a blanket, rug, sheet, rubber mat or mat as a seat while doing pranayama.

  4. For Pranayama, sit in Siddhasana, Sukhasana or Padmasana with the spine held straight. Those who cannot sit on the ground can also do pranayama sitting on a chair.

  5. While doing pranayama, keep your neck, spine, chest and waist straight.  During the practice of Pranayama, keep the hands/those in any of the postures of Gyan-mudra, Chin-mudra, Apana Vayu-mudra and Surya-mudra etc.

  6. The breath should always be taken through the nostrils, due to which the breath goes in after being purified (filter).  One should not breathe through the mouth.

  7.  Practicing Pranayama after purification activities like Dhauti, Basti, Neti (Jalneti, Sutraneti etc.) and Nauli etc. gives special benefits.

  8. A person doing Pranayama should take special care of his Ahar(diet) - Vihar(living place)  -  Achar(behaviour) - Vichar(thoughts).  Always take sattvik and greasy food, such as - fruits and their juice, green vegetables - vegetables, milk and ghee etc.

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