Pranayama and Your Practice
What is pranayama?
The word pranayama is made up of two Sanskrit words: Prana, meaning "breath" or "life force", and Ayama, meaning "expansion" or "length". Pranayama originates from India and has been mentioned in the Yoga Sutras and Bhagvad Gita. The practice of pranayama involves regulating or manipulating the breath.
How will it benefit me?
Pranayama has many health benefits. According to scientists, It can help to calm the nervous system. Pranayama may help to improve cognitive function, lung capacity, and mindfulness. It may also help with decreasing stress and improved emotional regulation, anxiety, and hypertension.
Including pranayama into your daily practice can bring new meaning to how you practice yoga. Because breath work is a large part of practicing yoga, here's how you can make it part of your practice today.
Synchronizing the breath with yoga poses.
Beginning or ending your yoga practice with 5 minutes of breathing exercises.
Taking stand alone relaxation and breath work classes, where you have the opportunity to journal and reflect in a relaxing environment.
image shot at Ara Ha