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Pranayama: The Power of Breath in Healing

Updated: 7 days ago


Find Healing Right Under Your Nose


As a seasoned yoga therapist and trainer, I see the breath as a diagnostic tool and a healing modality. Breath is the baseline of my practice. I have seen many health conditions alleviated or healed using therapeutically prescribed breathwork.


Understanding Prana: Your Life Force Energy


The Sanskrit word comes from two roots: pra, which means 'constancy', and na, which translates to 'movement.' Therefore, prana is a force of constant motion that runs through our 72,000 energy channels, known as nadis.


Like an electromagnetic current that runs appliances, prana is the subtle life force energy that permeates all living things. When our prana is strong and flowing unimpeded through our channels, we have more energy, personal power, and vibrant health on all levels.


Signs Your Prana Needs Attention


When our prana becomes weak due to unhealthy food and lifestyle practices, poor respiration, stress, and toxins, we are susceptible to disease on a physical or mental level.

Signs of weak prana include:


  • Low immunity, anxiety, depression, anger

  • Fatigue, unresolved emotions, insomnia

  • Poor digestion, disease/illness

  • Cold hands/feet, brain fog, muscle tension

  • Heart and respiratory issues


The Art of Pranayama: Breath Control for Healing


While prana means life force, 'ayama' means to restrain or control. Therefore, prana is enlivened by specific techniques that control the breath for desired outcomes.

You can unlock profound transformations in body and mind through targeted breathing practices. 


Whether you're seeking to boost your physical vitality, find mental clarity, or strengthen your immune system, pranayama offers specific techniques for each goal.

These ancient practices can help you achieve deeper sleep, manage temperature regulation, sharpen focus, and even lift the weight of depression and fear.


Beginner-Friendly Breathing Techniques

Here are three techniques that are safe for most people. Just five minutes is a game-changer!


1. Noticing the Breath

Though this seems deceptively simple, it really relaxes people. Sit comfortably and bring your awareness to the nostrils. Take a few minutes just to watch and explore the breath. Witness all the sensations of it.

Notice:

  • If there is a sound to the breath

  • If there's a distinct rhythm

  • If it's shallow or deep

  • The temperature of the breath on inhales versus exhales

  • The subtle sensations at the nostrils and up to the sinuses



pranayama

2. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)

This breath translates to "channel cleansing breath." It helps to integrate the right and left brain hemispheres because each nostril, or channel, relates to a brain hemisphere.


Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Put the index and middle fingers of the right hand on your forehead

  2. Close the right nostril with the right thumb. Take a smooth, steady inhale through the left nostril

  3. Close the left nostril with the right ring finger and exhale through the right nostril

  4. Breathe back in through the right nostril, keeping the left one closed

  5. Close the right nostril and exhale through the left

  6. Repeat for 5-10 rounds


3. Ujayii Breath (Ocean Breath)


Ujayii translates to 'victory over.' This technique seeks to create a victory over a busy mind through an audible breath sound similar to ocean waves.


Practice Tips:

  1. Open your mouth and slowly whisper "ha" as you inhale and exhale

  2. Notice the slight throat constriction this creates

  3. Once comfortable, close your mouth while maintaining the sound

  4. Focus on the calming quality of the breath


Why Professional Guidance Matters

Behind every effective pranayama practice lies years of intensive study and understanding.

Yoga therapists combine deep knowledge of human anatomy and physiology with mastery of subtle energy systems and chakras. Their expertise spans from identifying dysfunctional breathing patterns to understanding the intricate workings of the nervous system through polyvagal theory. This comprehensive training, including ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern psychology, ensures that each breath practice is perfectly tailored to your unique needs.





Yoga therapists are trained to assess a person's symptoms and know which pranayama practices - and there are so many - are best for the presenting conditions.


The Benefits of Regular Pranayama Practice


Physical Benefits

  • Reduced blood pressure

  • Improved respiratory function

  • Enhanced immunity

  • Better organ function

  • Improved digestion

  • Better circulation

  • Reduced inflammation


Mental & Emotional Benefits

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

  • Decreased depression

  • Better emotional regulation

  • Improved focus and mental clarity

  • Enhanced sleep quality

  • Reduced anger and impulsivity

  • Greater nervous system regulation


Build Up to Advanced Pranayama

One needs to build a strong basic foundation and have good body/mind awareness before exploring more advanced techniques such as Breath of Fire (Kapalabhati), Bellows Breath (Bhastrika), and Ratio Breathing.


It is not uncommon for people to do practices incorrectly without proper training as oftentimes they may have dysfunctional breathing patterns or certain respiratory muscles may be offline due to chronic tension.


Moreover, people can get triggered emotionally by performing yogic breathing exercises they are not ready for. Pranayama should always be safe and comfortable.



pranayama

The power to heal is truly right under your nose!


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