Pranayam

This is the essence of life. We breathe - we live.

We stop breathing we are likely to die or suffer.

Pranayam is the study of variations in breathing patterns & their influence on the physiology of the body.

Every breath consists of 4 parts -- inhalation (purak), holding your breath (antar kumbhak), exhalation (rechak), holding your breath (bahir kumbhak).

We naturally practise these 4 stages in every breath. We do it so insignificantly, that we have forgotten the realisation that we breathe in this manner.

First step of learning good breathing practise is to do the following:

1. Focus on natural breathing and start breathing in while your diaphragm pulled   downwards/ stomach pushed out. Similarly start breathing out while your stomach is pushed in /diaphragm pushed upwards.

2. For those having difficulty managing this, lie on your back & relax while breathing naturally. You will observe that the stomach moves up & down with each breath in & out respectively.

3. Consciously start becoming aware of the 4 stages in each breath.

4. Slowly look at making your lungs work harder by extending each of the 4 stages of breathing.

5. Aim to make these 4 stages steady in time. Develop your ability to ensure each complete breath can last a full minute. Do this exercise for 30 minutes & you can then take the first step into learning all the variations of pranayam

Note: Refer to video on you tube --

Pranayama for basic health  -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI_WKqQ3qac