Breath of life

The Ancient system of Ayurveda mentions the benefits of pranayam, which is one of the eight parts of yoga. We think that ‘breath’ and ‘pran’ are the same, but they actually aren’t. breath is gross-something tangible that we can feel. Pran is subtle-it is the vital force. Breath is the sign that the body is alive, that it has the life energy or pran. Pran is the life force that drives the body.

Pran or life force is present everywhere in the universe. In the physical realm, it turns the dormant seed into a sprouting sapling and ultimately a large tree. The pran or vital energy can be regulated by the management of breath and that is what is meant by pranayam. Therefore, a person who understands the art of controlling his/her pran knows the art of controlling universal life energy. Lungs are divided into three parts-the upper part up to the neck, both sides of the heart, the lower part. When you take the deep breath, all three parts of the lungs are fully charged with pranic energy. The circulation of this energy and its flow into the middle section and, thereafter, its total penetration into the lungs, is the main function of pranayam. One of the most important functions of pranayam is to bring stability to the mind. The two types of vayus, namely pran and apan, are constantly flowing in our bodies. One pervades the region from the throat to the heart; the other expands to the outer regions of air. Pran-vayu gives us strength, health and zest. Apan-vayu relieves us of weakness and disease. The practice of pranayam is divided into three parts-exhalation, inhalation and retention of breath. Pranayam helps purify all the nadis in the system, cures the ailments of the lungs, headaches and tension and it expels waste matter and poisonous elements from the body.