Yoga as you like it: Breathe in wellbeing

By practising pranayama, carbon monoxide can be expelled and stress and unpleasant feelings purged

Breath is synonymous with life itself. In fact, death comes to us when breath leaves our body. Isn't it surprising then that we devote so little of our attention to breathing?

Ancient Indian texts suggest that if we maintain awareness of our breathing, it can lead us to enlightenment. Breath is the connection between our body and mind.

Every change in our moods and emotions is reflected in our breathing pattern.

You have all seen this: When you are angry, you take in about 45 to 60 breaths a minute, while when relaxed, you only breathe about two to four times every minute.

Which is why you are told to slow down and take a few deep breaths when angry.

Awareness that helps

Yoga teaches us the art of becoming conscious of our breathing at all times.

This awareness allows us to maintain a stable emotional level and helps remain unperturbed by the constant stress of everyday life.

At this point, let us get acquainted with a yogic term: pranayama.

The great sage Patanjali, in his revered doctrine on yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, defined pranayama as the “constant awareness of the incoming and outgoing breath''.

Other experts have termed pranayama as “expansion [ayama] of life-force [prana]''.

Generally, people understand pranayama as “breath-control'' or “disciplining of breathing''. Modern research also suggests that a person's health is directly related to the way one breathes.

Normal breathing is very shallow, using only 30 to 35 per cent of one's breathing capacity.

Harmful for the being

At the physical level, this means that toxins such as carbon monoxide remain in the lungs, and at the emotional level, many unpleasant feelings are not expelled from the system.

At the mental level, it would mean constant stress and confusion, while at the energy level it would mean low levels of energy.

All these symptoms can be remedied by constantly practising slow, deep abdominal breathing.

People who suffer from breathing disorders can gain immensely by incorporating pranayama in their lives. They must, however, consult a qualified yoga therapist.

Practise the mentioned pranayama techniques daily and, within weeks, you will begin to see an improvement in your health, energy levels and outlook on life.

Soon you will be ready to begin meditating.

Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika is an energising pranayama. It helps expel residual toxins from the lungs, clears the mind and strengthens the heart's functioning.

Caution: People suffering from high blood pressure should avoid this practice.

Bhramri Pranayama
Bhramri is a deeply relaxing pranayama. The vibration caused by the humming sound performs a massage on the brain, releasing anti-stress hormones.

Caution: People with severe throat problems should avoid this pranayama.

Anulom-Vilom Pranayama
This is one of the most beneficial pranayama techniques. It balances mental and physical energies, leading to calmness and clarity.

Caution: People suffering from high blood pressure should avoid holding the breath during the practice of this exercise.

Bharat Thakur is the founder of Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga. For questions on yoga, write to dubai. artisticyoga@gmail.com. For more information, log on to www.bharatthakur.com