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Pranayama |
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Breath work, or pranayama, is the foundation of all yoga and what makes yoga different from any other form of ‘exercise.’ By the proper application of breathing techniques, one is able to oxygenate the entire body, including the muscles and organs. That is why a good yoga practice will leave you feeling refreshed and vibrant, as opposed to exhausted and worn.
Pranayama can be practiced on its own, as a part of an asana practice, or along with meditation. There are several recognized techniques to pranayama, all of which are best learned with someone well versed in the methodology, or at the very least, if one is learning from the written form or media, approached slowly with regard to the very potent effect it can have on ones well being.
The Gayatri Mantra is a wonderful tool for practicing both meditation and pranayama. It is known as the Mahamantra, as the repeated chanting of the mantra and meditation upon its meaning can lead to the ultimate spiritual state. The syllables in the Gayatri Mantra are arranged so that if spoken as intended, the maximum prana (air) reaches the coiled energy at the base of the spine, otherwise known to yoginis and yogis as ‘kundalini.’ This prana ‘awakens’ the kundalini and unleashes mental and spiritual strength in the physical body. Along with the prana, the resonance and vibrations of the words are also understood to have specific benefits to one’s well being.
Dawn and dusk are the ideal times to recite the Gayatri Mantra, beginning with the sound ‘Aum’ or ‘Om’ several times to allow the sound waves to prepare the atmosphere for meditation. There are five natural divisions in the Gayatri Mantra (as visible in the written form), and when using this mantra for pranayama and meditation, one should inhale first, then utter the first sound set on the exhale (the first sound being ‘Om’), repeating the process for each set of sounds in the mantra. Meditate on the meaning of the mantra as you repeat the sounds, allowing it to penetrate your inner mind. |
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Yoga with Milan |