Pranayama: The Science of Breath

Conventional Medicine and Pranayama BY STEVE PAINE, OMD (HONG KONG), LAC, LCMP (HONG KONG) What does conventional biomedicine have to say about pranayama? Little analysis has been done related specifically to prayanama; however, a good deal of science is available on the subject of breathing. This article looks at some general principles and is a cursory overview of research related to controlled breathing. This information is reported in the interest of stimulating thought. The sources cited within the body at the end of this article should be evaluated carefully before drawing conclusions. What Happens When One Breathes? In normal, relaxed breathing, there is a balance between the amount of air taken in and breathed out. Residual air remains in the lungs. Under stress, breathing becomes shallow and rapid, reducing the amount of oxygen taken in and producing a still-greater amount of residual air. This breathing also occurs more from the chest than from the diaphr

Six Different Views on Breathing in Yoga CLICK HERE FOR SPECIFIC " perscriptions" Pranayama, the formal practice of controlling the breath, lies at the heart of yoga. It has a mysterious power to soothe and revitalize a tired body, a flagging spirit, or a wild mind. The ancient sages taught that prana, the vital force circulating through us, can be cultivated and channeled through a panoply of breathing exercises. In the process, the mind is calmed, rejuvenated, and uplifted. Pranayama serves as an important bridge between the outward, active practices of yoga—like asana—and the internal, surrendering practices that lead us into deeper states of meditation. 1. Inegral: Connecting Movement with Meditation In the integral yoga tradition propounded by Swami Satchidananda, pranayama is incorporated into every yoga class . A typical session starts with asana, moves on to pranayama, and ends with seated meditation. "A hatha yoga class in the Integral Yoga

General Neuro/chemical effects of Pranayama Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: Neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system Yoga, meditation, and imagery: clinical applications. proper breathing and better health SKY studies Pranayama and Children Clinical Applications of Yoga for the Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review Children and pranyama  Pranayama studies in schools Pranayama and Mood Disorders Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part I—Neurophysiologic Model Pranayama: Potential Tools to Enhance Occupational Performance Pranayama, brain function and clinical applications Depression and anxiety: pranayama  Treating Chronic Pain with Pranayama pranayama and chronic pain A Study of Combined Effect of Yoga (Yogic Exercises, Pranayama & Meditation) on Hyper-reactivity to Cold Pressor Test in Healthy Individuals

Traditional Uses for Pranayama: 1. Bhastrika Sanskrit word Bhastrika means bellows. This breathing exercise resembles the blowing of bellows. Bhastrika is the excellent breathing exercise which we can practice slowly or fast as per our convenience. A person who is suffering from a Heart problem and Lung problems should practice slowly or slowly increase the speed of breathing. Bhastrika Pranayama should practice normally 3-5 minutes twice a day in the fresh air. In this pranayama, the body gets the maximum amount of oxygen due to complete inhaling and exhaling breathing. Steps for Bhastrika Pranayama ·       Sit comfortably on the flat ground. Those who can’t sit on the ground can sit on a chair because this pranayama is related to the breath. ·       Take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs with air and then exhale with a hissing sound. ·       Inhale deeply and exhale completely. ·       Do this for 2 min to 5 minutes max and see the result i