pranayam and vital energy

7/18/2019 Pranayam and Vital Energy

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PRANAYAM AND VITAL ENERGY

Pranayam is the process of cleaning and reopening these vital

energy pathways. In the yogic terms, such cleaning is called as

Nadi Shudhi. Nadimeans ‘energy pathways’ and shudhimeans

the ‘process of cleaning’. The main function ofPranayam is

Nadi-Shudhi. Nadi-Shudhi will lead to adequate supply of vital

energy to all the parts and organs of the body. With the result

all the parts and organs will function with better efficiency. Not

only that, but there will be better coordination between the

various organs. Such situation will create a healthier body and

an efficient mind.

EFFECT OF PRANAYAM ON MIND

Human body is the combination of body and mind. The

physical body can not function without the mind and the mind

can not function without the body. The mind is decision maker

for all the functions of body. It is the mind which takes the

decision to act. Body performs all the actions as per the

decision of the mind. For the better performance one should

have a strong body and a strong mind. Not only that, but there

should be a proper coordination between the two.

Yogicnadis connect mind with the body. As such they work as

the bridge between the mind and the body. All the commands

of the mind are conveyed to the physical body through these

energy pathways. If these pathways are blocked or damaged,

the coordination between the body and the mind will be

disturbed. In such circumstances, all the commands of themind may not reach to the body organs, or being not pure and

clear, those orders may be misunderstood or misinterpreted by

the body organs. Once the equilibrium between the mind and

the body is disturbed, the body will not be in position to cope

with the demand of the mind. In such a situation the person

may feel that all his ideas and thoughts can’t be put in practice

because his body can not fulfill the demand of the mind. For

better efficiency and capabilities one should have a



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healthy mind, a healthy body, and an efficient coordination between the two. This can be achieved by the regular practice

ofPranayam.



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PHILOSOPHY OF PRANAYAM

Human body performs two types of actions. One is voluntary

and second is involuntary. Voluntary means those actions

which can be done voluntarily. For example, raising the hand,

walking, and running, speaking, etc. are voluntary actions.

These actions are voluntary, one may do it, or one may not do

it. It all depends upon the person’s own volition whether to

perform the act or not to perform the act.

But some of the actions are involuntary. These actions areregular beating of the heart, the process of respiration, the

process of digestion, liver functions, regular filtration of blood

by kidney etc. These are involuntary actions because it is not

under voluntary control of the person. One can not stop his

heart beating, or digestive process, as per his wish. These

actions are controlled by autonomic nerves system.These

actions are adjusted as per the need of the body.

But there are certain activities which are most of the time

involuntary but it can be made voluntary if desired by the

person. Respiration is such activity. It is involuntary in normal

process but can be made voluntary if desired. The cycle of

respiration goes on functioning without the knowledge of the

person. But if the person likes to change its speed, he can do

it, he can slow it down or he can make it fast, or he can stop it

for short period.

Internal body mechanism is all the time controlled by the

mind. Functions are adjusted as per the body’s need. These

functions of the mind are automatic. But other activity like

thinking process is voluntary. One may choose to think or not

to think. In the same way one can choose to think about any

specific subject. Emotions are partly voluntary and partly

involuntary. At times one can control his emotions, at other

times one can not control his emotions.It is also observed thatmental activities are related with respiration. When a person is



angry or excited, his respiratory movements are fast. But when

his mind is quiet and tranquil, the respiratory movements are



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slow.It is not possible to be angry or excited without raising

respiratory rates. So it is presumed that if one can control his

respiratory movements, then he can control his involuntary

component of the mind.One can keep one’s mind cool and calm

by controlling his respiration. The same principal is applied in

the process ofPranayam. InPranayam one tries to control his

respiratory movements. By which he tries to control his mental

activities. Final aim is to attain a calm and quiet mind. With

the practice ofPranayam, a person gets control over his

respiratory movements. Respiratory movements are made

slower and uniform. Once he gets control over his respiratorymovements, automatically he gets control over his mental

activities. He acquires ability to keep his mind calm and quite

even during the time of stress.

PRANAYAM AND MEDITATION

Calm and quiet mind is the pre-requisite for the process of

meditation. So ifPranayam is performed before meditation, it iseasier to concentrate and thereby to attain a deeper level

during meditation. Meditation is the process of attaining

tranquility and quietude of the mind. Human mind is all the

time busy with various activities. At a time our mind thinks of

multiple subjects. Mind can be busy in either thinking of the

past events or planning for the future. The common mind can

not concentrate on one subject for a longer time. At one

moment it may think about money, at a second moment it may

think about fashionable dress, and at the third moment it may

think about his girl friend and next it may think about

business contacts. With the result the human mind is wasting

most of its energy for trifle matters. If the energy is

concentrated on one subject, it can achieve better results.

Not only that but such wandering mind will not allow theperson to get into deeper meditation. Concentration is the

prerequisite for the process of meditation. Mentalconcentration can be achieved only by the practice of



Pranayam.



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PRANAYAM AND SELF REALISATION

Self realization is the ultimate goal of all the yogic practices. Asper the Vedic philosophy our body is having three maincomponents:

1)Physical body

2)Mind

3)Soul or atman

The physical body is gross in nature. It can

be seen and felt. The body which is made up of bones, muscles,

organs, and skin is called the physical body. Mind is subtle. Itcan not be seen but its presence can be felt. It governs all the

parts of the body. The soul or atman is subtler than mind. It

can not be seen and it is also difficult to feel its presence by

ordinary means. It can be called as a nucleus of the live-force.

It is believed to be immortal, unborn, eternal and stable. As per

the Vedic philosophy, being immortal, it can not be destroyed

by any means

At the time of deathatman leaves old physical body and entersinto a new physical body. This is known as re-birth. The maincharacters of Atman are love, independence, truthfulness and

joy.

The mind is like pure transparent glass. The transparent glass

if kept on red carpet will look red, and if kept on green carpet

will look green. Same way if the mind associates with physical

body, it takes the characters of physical body. With the result itfeels all the pain, sorrow, unhappiness, fear, hatred, ego,

jealousy and other unwanted emotions.

But if the mind associates with Atman, then it takes thosecharacters like, love, independence, truthfulness and eternal

joy.

Once a person realizes its joyful nature and immortal characterand once the mind merges itself with the Atman; mind grasps

all the characters of the Atman. Then there is no pain orunhappiness in life. The person then enjoys infinite



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happiness in life. This is the ultimate goal of each follower ofthe spiritual path.

As per the opinion ofPatanjali, it is not easy for an ordinary

person to realize the self i.e. Atman. This is because of his

ignorance. OnlyGnan, absolute knowledge, can uncover the

mystery of Atmic characters. As absolute knowledge is hidden

behind the curtain of ignorance, it is not possible for the

ordinary people to realize the self. This ignorance is known as

Avidya. Atman can not shine with its full light because of

Avidya. As per the opinion ofPatanjali, regular practice ofPranayam can uncover the basic nature of Atman. This may

lead to eternal joy and happiness. In short the effect of

Pranayamis multiple. It effects on all three components of the

human body, i.e. the physical body, the mind, and the Atman.

Effects of Pranayam

1)It keeps the body fit and healthy.

2)It enhances the general resistance power of the body. With theeffect it helps in preventing various diseases.

3)Kapalbhati Pranayam is responsible for Nadi-Shudhi, andKumbhak Pranayamis responsible for Chit-Shudhi.

4)Chit-Shudhihelps in de-conditioning of the mind. De-conditioning helps to change an individual’s perception for life.He becomes more rational

5)Pranayamenhances vital force, which in turn enhances mentalcapacity.

6)Increased mental capacity helps in building up of self-confidence. Persons having self-confidence can achieve better

success in life.



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7)It strengthens the ability of concentration. Concentration helpsin analyzing and solving the problems.

8)It strengthens all the basic characters of the mind. Basiccharacters of the mind are memory, intelligence, receptivity,and creativity.

9)It strengthens the will power of the person.

10) It helps in creating tranquility and calmness of the mind.

8] medical views.

Number of medical personals carried out various studies

regarding effect of Pranayam on body health. It is observed that

regular practice of pranayam can relieve stress related

disorders. It also improves autonomic functions of the body.

Autonomic system of the body maintains good co-ordination

and fine balance between various systems and organs.

Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops asteady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and alsoclaim that sustained pranayama practice extends life andenhances perception.



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METHODS OF PRANAYAM

There are more than ten types ofPranayam. But mostcommonly used and the most effective are three. These are

Kapalbhati, Bhramari, and Kumbhak pranayams. All the

Pranayams are basically related with the control of therespiratory movements.

RESPIRATORY CYCLE AND PRANAYAM

It is advisable to know normal respiratory movements beforestarting the practice ofPranayam. Normal respiration can bedivided into three main components:

A] Inhalation i.e. incoming of the air.B] Momentary stoppage of air.

C] Exhalation i.e. outgoing of the air.

In yogic terms the first component is calledPurak, the secondcomponent is calledKumbhak, and the third component is

calledRechak. If the movement of air is observed very closely, it will be seen that as such there are four components:

1)Air going inside (Purak)

2)Air stopping for the moment (Kumbhak)

3)Air coming out (Rechak)

4)Again air movement is stopped for the moment i.e.Kumbhakand again air going inside.

So the respiratory cycle is like Purak-Kumbhak-Rechak-Kumbhak-Purak.So the component of Kumbhakoccurs two

times in one normal respiratory cycle. As such it is difficult to

perceiveKumbhak in a normal cycle. In normal circumstances

the person breathes 15-16 times per minute. So it takes 4

seconds to complete one respiratory cycle. Normally



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spiratory movements are not very deep. At the time of sleep the

respiration is slower. While at the time of physical labor ormental excitement it becomes faster.

Respiration has direct relationship with the thinking process.

When person is calm and quiet his respiration is slow and

when he is mentally agitated, his respiration is faster. Hence if

a person acquires the control over his respiration (so that it

can be kept slow and uniform) then he can control his thought

process. The ability to control thought process, helps theperson to achieve control over his mind. Once the mind is

controlled, the person can direct his thinking process as per

his own desire. He can control his emotions. He can strengthen

his will power. Such a person can achieve anything in the

world, as he is the master of his mind.

With the practice ofPranayam one can control his respiratory

movements. InPranayam the length of all the components of

respiration are increased. Ordinarily one respiratory cycletakes four to five seconds. InPranayam one cycle may take 30

to 60 seconds.Pranayam means controlled, uniform, and

measured process of respiration.

NORMAL RESPIRATION

One should understand the mechanism of normal respiration

before starting the practice ofPranayam. Respiratory organsare nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and

alveoli of the lung. There are two lungs in the body. One is on

the right side of the chest and the second on the left side of the

chest. The lungs are like sponge. It expands when filled with air

and contracts when there is no air in the lung. Small



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alveoli are connected with small tubes, which are called bronchioles.

These tubes are connected to form bigger tubes, which finally connects

with the bronchus. The left and right bronchi are joined to form thetrachea. The trachea opens into the larynx. Larynx opens into the

pharynx. This finally opens into the nose. During the process of

inhalation, the air passes through the nose and then to the pharynx,

larynx, trachea, bronchi and finally through the bronchioles to the

alveoli of the lungs. Here the fresh air comes in contact with blood.

The oxygen part of the air is taken away by the blood. And the carbon

dioxide part of the blood is taken away by the air. Air full of carbon

dioxide comes out through the same route during exhalation.

pranayam and vital energy

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