Pranayama (Breathing Exercise)

Hathayoga has prescribed 8 types of Pranayamas. Some of them are to be learned directly from a Guru. Hence all of them are not included here. Only some of them that can be done without much difficulty are included here.

The two indispensable factors for  the very existence human are the two invisibles called Mind and Prana. If any one of them is not there, there is no life. Prana is there everywhere in this universe. It is found in each of our nadis ( nerves). It is found in the water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breath. It is this 'prana' that gives us the aura and energy for our body. Mind and Prana together form the 'Microbody' while that part of body made up of flesh and blood is the 'Macrobody'. If the microbody is there inside then only 'macrobody' has life.

Breathing is the visible form of 'prana'. To contol our breath and fill the body with enough 'prana' is called 'Pranayama'. In the normal breathing all of our lung's 'alveoli'(the minute cavities of our lungs) are not filled with enough oxygen. So controlled breathing is needed to fill our lungs with 'prana vayu' (oxygen).


When one is got terribly frightened his breathing becomes irregular and the whole body functions get subverted. If you take some long  breaths your mind becomes calm and body functions becomes normal. This is the ultimate aim of 'Pranayama' 

 

                                         Autumn tree

                                A model of Alfonsamma Church

                                         Livelihood
 

                                 A stone carving ---Mamallapuram

                                  Water is there plenty......but

 

                               No place other than beach to rejoice