We breathe constantly, without even thinking about it. It’s such an automatic action that it often goes unnoticed. But have you ever stopped to think about the power of breathing? Understanding what pranayama is, an ancient yoga practice, invites us to transform breathing into a conscious and deliberate act.

At Ehia, we explain what pranayama is and how this technique can change your life by leading you on a path of self-discovery and well-being. In this way, your body, mind, and spirit will be harmonised.

What is Pranayama?

The word pranayama originates from Sanskrit, where “prana” means “breath” or “vital energy”, and “yama” translates to “control” or “discipline”. Therefore, pranayama is interpreted as “breath control” or “expansion of vital energy”. This practice is fundamental in yoga and is considered one of the eight essential steps described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, a foundational yoga text dating back more than 2,000 years.

Prana: The Vital Energy

In yoga philosophy, prana is seen as the life force that permeates the entire universe. It’s the energy that sustains both the body and the mind.

This vital energy is found in the air we breathe and the food we consume, but it also flows through our bodies in a network of energy channels known as nadis. Therefore, maintaining a balanced and unobstructed flow of prana is essential for health and well-being.

Yama: Control and Discipline

The word yama implies control, discipline, and regulation, referring to the conscious regulation of the breath. This control is not only physical but also mental and spiritual, promoting a state of internal harmony and balance.

What Are the Goals of Pranayama?

Imagine your body as a river of vital energy, flowing without obstacles, filling every cell with well-being. That’s the essence of pranayama: a journey inward to unlock the potential that lies within our breath and awaken the vital energy that lives within us.

Pranayama Techniques

There are many pranayama techniques that involve different patterns of inhalation, exhalation, and breath retention, each with its own objective:

• Puraka: inspiration or inhalation.
• Rechaka: expiration or exhalation.
• Antar Kumbhaka: retention of air after inhalation.
• Bahir Kumbhaka: retention without air in the lungs after exhalation.

Additionally, each of these techniques can be adjusted in terms of duration and rhythm to produce specific effects on the body and mind. For instance, a deep inhalation followed by prolonged retention can help increase energy and focus, while slow, controlled exhalation can induce relaxation and calm.

Benefits of Pranayama

Through the practice of pranayama and conscious breathing, we can gain a wide range of benefits that encompass physical, mental, and even spiritual aspects. The advantages offered by this practice will have a positive impact on your quality of life, as well as your overall well-being and a deep sense of balance.

On the Physical Level: Improves Health

Both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are strengthened through pranayama practice, improving lung capacity and heart efficiency.

Why? Because by regulating the breath, the exchange of gases in the lungs is optimised, increasing the oxygen available to the body and more effectively removing carbon dioxide. Moreover, regular pranayama practice can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting a more balanced and relaxed mental state.

Purification of the Airways and Lungs

There are two pranayama techniques in particular, Kapalabhati and Bhastrika, that have a purifying effect on the airways and lungs.

These techniques help remove mucus and other impurities, improving lung health and facilitating freer, unobstructed breathing. Additionally, regular cleansing of the respiratory passages can prevent and alleviate common respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.

Improves Blood Circulation and Purifies the Blood

Conscious breathing improves oxygen circulation throughout the body, including the heart, allowing it to work more efficiently and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Pranayama also helps blood flow more smoothly through veins and arteries, lowering blood pressure and preventing clot formation. As we know, stress is a significant factor in heart disease, and pranayama, by reducing stress, helps protect your heart.

Benefits for the Digestive Process

Techniques such as abdominal breathing and Kapalabhati gently massage the internal organs, stimulating digestion and improving nutrient absorption. These practices can also alleviate digestive problems such as constipation and indigestion.

Disease Prevention

Another body system that benefits is the immune system, as pranayama improves the function of internal organs and promotes the circulation of bodily fluids. Common colds or chronic conditions can be prevented with proper and regular breathing. Additionally, by reducing stress, general well-being improves, contributing to greater resistance to disease.

Provides Vitality and Dissolves Energy Blockages

Pranayama is a powerful force that revitalises the body by increasing the flow of prana (vital energy) through the nadis (energy channels). This dissolves energy blockages that may cause fatigue and illness, thereby restoring balance and vitality. Constant pranayama practice energises the body and promotes a higher level of energy and well-being.

Enhances Memory, Concentration, and Intellectual Performance

Through conscious breathing techniques, brain function can be improved by increasing the supply of oxygen to the brain. This stimulates memory, enhances concentration, and boosts intellectual performance. It helps maintain mental clarity and cognitive sharpness.

Provides Calm and Serenity

In an increasingly fast-paced and demanding world, finding calm and serenity has become a desire for many. Pranayama offers us a powerful path to reach that state of inner peace that we seek so much.

Reduces Cortisol Levels

Cortisol is the stress hormone responsible for our body’s “fight or flight” response. By controlling the breath, we can decrease cortisol production, inducing a state of deep relaxation.

Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System

This system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response. By stimulating it through pranayama, we can calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and promote an overall sense of well-being.

Connect With Yourself

It’s clear that proper breathing can have great benefits far beyond improving physical health. Pranayama becomes a powerful technique you can practice to enhance your health and connect with yourself.

Would you like to try it? At Ehia, we believe that each of these practices is a journey of self-love. That’s why we guide you so that through this physical and spiritual practice, you can achieve a connection between your body and mind. If you’d like to know more about us or our therapies, contact us so we can help you.