Both Prana and Pranayama are words from Sanskrit language and are also part of vocabulary of many modern Indo-Aryan languages which decend from Sanskrit.  Prana means breathing and Pranayama means breathing exercises.  Keeping in view, the importance of breathing process and oxygen in human body,  “prana” is actually a Vital Life Energy in human body.  The process and techniques , as developed being a part of Yoga in  India, for exercising and controlling the “prana” (Vital Life Energy) in human body is the science of Pranayama, a natural healing system. Baba Ramdev of Patanjali Yog Peeth,   in india  and all over the world has been demonstrating the validity and effectiveness of Pranayama in the cure of almost all the diseases including many so called incurable diseases.

In pranayama, the rhythm and depth of breathing plays a major role. Pranayama is an anabolic exercise which greatly improves blood circulation. The biggest beneficiaries of Pranayama are Autonomic Nervous System including the endocrine glands in the brains and the body. Further, the supply of more oxygenated blood through Pranayama nourishes all the cells of the body and strengthens the Immune System, enabling human body not only to prevent but also cure of many so called incurable diseases.

Hence, Pranayama is the most natural, drugless and scientific method for maintaining good health. Pranayama, when done correctly and regularly gives immense benefits and freedom in health matters. A brief description of Seven techniques of Pranayama is given below.

1. Bhastrika Pranayam :-Sit in any comfortable posture and inhale the air in the lungs and then exhale the air. This should be done according to individual capacity in three different ways ; Slow, Medium and Fast. Those, with a weak heart and lungs, should do inhaling and exhaling a slow pace. A healthy and and a trained person should try to increase the speed gradually and first do it at medium pace and then at fast pace. It should be done for three to five minutes in one sitting.

2. Kapalbhati Pranayam :-‘Kapal’ means brain and ‘bhati’ means light, shine, glow etc. This is slightly different from Bhastrika. In the later, inhaling, exhaling is done with the same speed but in Kapalbhati, focus is laid on EXHALING WITH FULL FORCE. We do not try to inhale but air enters automatically. While exhaling, the stomach contracts in automatically exerting force on Mooladhar Chakra (the Anus), Swadhisthan Chakra (between Genitals and Navel) and Manipur Chakra (Navel). This pranayam is very beneficial and has a positive impact on stomach, pancreas, liver, spleen, intestines, prostrate and kidney. It should be practised for at least three minutes and then increases up 15-30 minutes in one sitting. In case of tiredness, take rest in between.

3. Bahya Pranayam :-‘Bahya’ means outside, and so it is holding the breath outside. Sit in; inhale and then exhale all the air contracting the stomach inward. Hold the breath outside for as long as you feel comfortable, then inhale and breathe normally. Repeat this 3 to 21 times according to capacity. Bahya Pranayam strengthens stomach organs and in the beginning, the practitioner might complain of pain in the diseased or weak part of stomach. So, take rest and repeat again.

4. Anulom-Vilom Pranayam :-This is inhaling and exhaling the air alternatively from left and right nostrils of the nose. Ida or left nostril indicates moon, moon power or calmness, so this Pranayam should be started from left nostril. Press the right nostril with right thumb and breathe in completely from left nostril , then close the left nostril with middle and ring finger and exhale completely from right nostril. Then inhale from right nostril and exhale from left nostril. This completes one cycle. It can be done from 5 to 25 minutes. Initially, it causes tiredness within two or three minutes of practice. Take rest and repeat. This Pranayam is beneficial in case of joint pain, dysentery, gout, Parkinson’s disease, nervous weakness, urinary problem, low sperm count, acidity, cold, catarrh, sinuses, asthma, cough, tonsils and other diseases. It opens the blockage in the heart arteries, and cures the irregularities in cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL etc. It purifies the nerves, and when the nerves get purified, the body becomes healthy, strong and bright.

5. Brahmari Pranayam :-Inhale while closing eyes and placing the first fingers of both hands above the eyebrows and blocking the ears with the thumbs. Release the breath through the nose slowly making a humming bee sound. Repeat this at least three times and upto 11-21 times maximum. This stabilizes the playful and wavering mind. It is beneficial in the case of mental tension, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression etc.

6. Udgeeth Pranayam :-After doing all the above said Pranayam, concentrate on breathing. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose and release the breath slowly through the mouth chanting “O” sound. Slowly increase the duration to one minute. Try to experience the breath from within. The breathing speed should be low, gentle and calm. One should also do it while going to bed as this will help in getting sound sleep and getting rid of bad dreams.

7. Pranav Pranayam :-This is the highest stage of Pranayam, the stage of Concentration. Practice of this pranayam controls the mind and sensory organs. With eye closed, try to See The God Within you, outside you and everywhere. Being engrossed in the thought of omnipotent, bright and quiet form of God, is Pranav Pranayam. So, this pranayam helps us to control our mind and gives us the capacity to CONCENTRATE.

This article is of informatory nature only. All health matters are personal decisions and use of any information from these hubs is the personal choice and sole responsibility of the users. The consultation with health care professionals is always better and hence recommended.