Importance of Pranayama

Much importance has been attached to Pranayama in Yogashastras. According to Vyasabhashya, there is no ‘tapa’ (penance), greater than Pranayama. It cleanses the body and knowledge is manifested. Manu says. ‘Just as gold and other metals melted in fire become pure so also the sense organs of the body get rid of impurities by Pranayama.’ Pranayama is the fourth and very important stage of Ashtanga Yoga shown by Patanjali. Yoga without Pranayama is not Yoga at all. That is why Pranayama is called the soul of Yoga. Bathing is necessary for purifying the body. Similarly, Pranayama is essential for purifying the mind.

Advantages of Pranayama

• Pranayama keeps the body fit and healthy. It reduces excessive fat.
• One can live a long fife through Pranayama. Pranayama improves the power of memory and eliminates mental disorders.
• Pranayama tones up the stomach, the liver, the bladder, the small and large intestines and the digestive system.
• Pranayama purifies tubular channels and removes sluggishness from the body.
• Pranayama kindles gastric fire, the body becomes healthy and the inner voice begins to be heard.
• The constant practice of Pranayama strengthens the nervous system. The mind becomes calm and capable of concentration.
• The constant practice of Pranayama rouses spiritual power. It gives spiritual joy, spiritual light and mental peace.

Tips

For the effective and proper study of Pranayama, an aspirant should strictly follow the following tips:

• Pranayama should be practiced in a clean, airy place. It should be practiced in complete solitude.
• The best time for practice is the early morning. If this time is unsuitable, one may practice it in the evening.
• Pranayama is best done sitting on the floor. The postures suitable are Padmasana or Siddhasana. If one experiences difficulty in sitting in these postures for a longer time, one can select any convenient posture to sit steadily in an erect posture.
• The tubular channels should be cleansed before practicing Pranayama. For this, first practice asanas.
• Pranayama should be preformed at a chosen time regularly on an empty stomach. A small cup of milk, it taken at the internal of ten minutes, will serve as a good tonic.
• Do not practice Pranayama if you feel exhausted. The aspirant should feel fresh and active after the practice of Pranayama.
• Do not take bath immediately after the practice of Pranayama. Rest for half an hour before taking bath.
• According to Patanjali, one should inhale and exhale slowly and rhythmically during the practice of Pranayama. Rhythmic and slow breathing makes the mind steady and calm.
• A beginner of Pranayama should practice inhaling and exhaling only for a few days. The ratio of inhaling (puraka) and exhaling (rechaka) should respectively be 1:2. This means that the time spent in exhaling should be twice the time spent in inhaling.
• The time for retention of the breath (kumbhaka) should be increased gradually. In the first week, it should be for four second only; in the second, it should be for eight seconds and in the third, it should be for twelve seconds. In this way, one can gradually increases the time of retention of breath to one’s utmost capacity.
• While inhaling, retaining the breath and exhaling, one must not experience any feeling of suffocation or strenuous effort.
• Maintain the ratio of 1: 4: 2 for inhaling, retention of breath and exhaling respectively. Inhale till you speak one Omkara. Retain the breath till you finish four Omkaras and exhale with two Omkaras. The following week the ratio should be 2:8:4, in the third week it should be 3:12:6 and so on. The limit is 16:64:32. Make the use of the fingers of the left hand for counting ‘Om’. After some practice, counting becomes unnecessary. Habit will, of its own accord; maintain the proper ratio of puraka, kumbhaka and rechaka i.e., inhaling, retention of breath and exhaling.
• Do not get disturbed of a few mistakes are committed in the early stage. Do not give up the practice. How to maintain the ratio of puraka, kumbhaka and rechaka will be learnt automatically. Common sense, intuition and the spiritual voice will guide one to path of accomplishment.
• Surya Bheadee and Ujjayi should be practiced in winter only. Sitakari and Shitali should be practiced in summer only. Bhastrika may be practiced round the year.