Yoga Beginner’s Guide To Pranayama

Do you think that breathing is all about inhaling and exhaling? Think again. In yoga, breathing holds the utmost importance and even minor attention towards it provides you with numerous benefits. Yoga Pranayama is the ancient technique of breathing that helps you maintain good physical and mental health.

Pranayama helps cleanse all the 72000 Nadis in your body. Daily practise of this yogic technique provides your blood with more oxygen. However, keep in mind, you should learn this technique only under the guidance of a certified yoga teacher. Now let us first understand why is breathing so important in yoga.

Why Is Breathing Important In Yoga?

You might never have noticed but just breathing properly impacts your cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, muscular, respiratory, and nervous systems. It also impacts your ability to sleep and recall information.

Right from your first breathing to the last, breathing is the core of your life. You might last a few days or weeks without food and water, but without breathing? It takes only a few seconds for you to collapse. In other words, there is no life without breath.

Unfortunately, your breathing is impacted by many factors like daily stress, tensions, and even poor body posture. With time, these make your breathing shallow which impacts the flow of the sacred Prana in your body. You should join a Beginners Yoga Retreat to learn and practice the subtle art of Pranayama under the guidance of yoga experts.

Let us now understand the subtle art of yogic breathing – Pranayama.

Pranayama – A Basic Introduction

The word Pranayama comes from the Sanskrit language and is divided into two parts. The first part, Prana refers to the life force or vital energy and the second part, Yama stands for extending or drawing out.

In short, these breathing exercises in yoga for beginners is about conscious awareness of breath. It is the life force that energizes and relaxes your body. Without a doubt, knowing Pranayama is vital to feeling the positive effects of yoga. Remember, the way you breathe creates a rhythm in all yoga asanas and prepares your mind for relaxation.

Do you know the numerous benefits that accompany a daily Pranayama practice? Yoga experts have come up with a list of benefits this ancient yogic technique offers.

Benefits Of Pranayama

Given below are some of the best benefits of daily Pranayama practice;

• Minimizes anxiety and depression

• Lowers heart rate

• Stabilizes blood pressure

• Increases energy levels in the body

• Helps in muscle relaxation

• Purifies the body’s energy channels

However, for you to reap the benefits of these breathing exercises in yoga for beginners, you must practice the right Pranayama techniques.

Best Yogic Breathing Exercise For Beginners

To help improve your mental and physical health, yoga experts have come up with a list of some effective Pranayama techniques.

1. Sama Vritti

The word Sama means equal while Vritti means a state of being. Usually, your body is used to the act of shallow breathing. However, practising this technique calms down your nervous system, improves focus, and minimizes stress and anxiety.

Best Time To Practice

The best time for you to practice this yogic breathing technique is when you find yourself surrounded by a stream of endless thoughts. Also, if you find it hard to fall asleep then this breathing can help slow down the racing thoughts.

2. Nadi Shodhana

Nadi Shodhana, a silent breathing technique is an effective Pranayama exercise that balances the left and right hemispheres of your brain.

Best Time To Practice

When you are unable to focus just before a meeting especially during mid-afternoon, do this Pranayama exercise. It clears out the channels and meridians in your body and induces a state of deep sleep. You should join a Beginners Yoga Retreat to learn this breathing technique under the guidance of yoga gurus.

3. Anuloma Viloma

Similar to Alternate Nostril breathing, the Anuloma Viloma is a technique in which you force the air in as opposed to controlled and slow-paced breathing.

Best Time To Practice

Always do the Anuloma Viloma on an empty stomach and during the early morning or mid-afternoon. This is a highly energizing yogic breathing technique.

Conclusion

Breathing is an essential part of yoga. You should join a certified yoga school to learn these breathing exercises in yoga for beginners from the yoga gurus. These would enhance your yoga practice on a mental and physical level.