Pranayana Prana Yoga
Just as the term Yoga is wide meaning, the same is the word prana. Prana (Pranayana) means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or force. It also indicates the soul in opposition to the body. The word is generally used in the plural to indicate the vital breaths.
Ayama means length, expansion, stretching or control. Pranayama breathing and therefore extend its control. This control acts in every phase of respiration:
- breathing, call puraka (fill);
- exhalation, called rechaka (emptying the lungs);
- detention, called Kumbhaka.
There are two states of Kumbhaka:
- when the breath is suspended after a deep inhalation in lungs full (antara kumbhaka);
- when the breath is suspended after a full exhalation (bahya Kumbhaka).
Pranayama (Yoga) is therefore the science of breath, and is the central point around which spins the wheel of life. As lions, elephants and tigers are dominated by very slowly and cautiously, so should prana be brought under control very slowly in gradation measured according to their abilities and physical limitations.
The righteous rhythmic patterns of breathing, which are taught in the techniques of Pranayama, strengthen the respiratory system, calms the nervous system and reduce craving. As desires and cravings diminish, the mind is freed and becomes a suitable means to the concentration.
As the months passed, after a steady workout and seriously, you can reach deeper and deeper stages of concentration, up to the so-called Siddhis, or lights, which give powers "paranormal" how to read people's minds, rise and soar in 'air without physical systems, an extraordinary memory, the ability to heal with the touch of hands or by appearing in a dream to those who pleaded for help, and much more.
Breathing should be guided by specific and well controlled, without forcing the growth process, otherwise it may cause damage to the respiratory system and nervous system: you must be very cautious when you practice Pranayana as it may awaken the Kundalini (energy sex) without being worthy or ready, generating physical and psychological problems of various nature, are difficult to resolve without a guide well prepared on the subject, and unfortunately today, many pretend to be what they are not.
Yoga Pranayana the science of breath ....