Pranayama – η αρχαία γιόγκικη πρακτική του ελέγχου της αναπνοής

Pranayama

Pranayama comes from the word -prana, which means life force and -ayama, which means distribution. It is the process of regulating and controlling breath and through it prana, or life force, or chi, or vital energy, which is the essence of both the individual and the whole universe.

Breath is the essence of life. The moment it stops, life ceases. It was of crucial importance not only in the yogic tradition, but also for the ancient Greeks, the Tibetans, the Chinese and many tribal cultures in Africa. However, the ancient yogis evolved a scientific approach to breathing. Pranayama is not simply deep breathing. Great gurus describe it as the practice that allows us to control prana and thus, also the mind.

Pranayama involves inhalation and retention of breath, which distribute energy throughout the body, and exhalation, which can also be combined with retention, which excretes poisoning toxins. Prana, the breath and the mind are closely linked to each other, therefore pranayama is the practice through which we gain control of the distribution of breath and through it also of energy; in other words, we unite the breath with the mind. Pranayama quiets the mind and brings it under control. It generates and distributes energy (in biology terms ATP) making it an indispensable tool in the path of holistic health. Its benefits apply to all, the physical, mental and emotional levels and can be felt from skin to soul.

 

The Breath consists of :

• Inhalation (symbolically linked to Brahma or the creator)
• Kumbaka or Retention after inhalation (linked to Visnu or protector)
• Exhalation (linked to Maheswara or destroyer, who destroys enemies in the body and sustains life) and,
• Kumbaka or Retention after exhalation (which allows one to surrender the mind to the soul)

In short, through breathing and specific hand and body locks (mundras & bandhas), pranayama cleanses body & mind; it controls the flow of our vital energy or prana, which is everything there is in the world since everything in nature (even matter) is, in fact, energy. Pranayama leads to health, understanding and tranquility. It brings us closer to our real Self.