Pranayama

                                         Pranayama

Pranayama the word itself is made up of two words Prana + ayama. Prana is the vital force that governs the nature, we say there are electrical impulses passing through wires or the nerves of the body the very cause of the electrical energy is prana. Prana is not energy itself but the cause of it and as we know from modern science matter is energy and energy is matter. So by restraining the prana or controlling the prana, the Yogi intends to get control of his entire mind and body. The word ayama means control or restraint in Sanskrit. Thus Pranayama means restraining the Prana, the vital force of life.

Now how is it done? The most popular way of practising pranayama is by controlling the breath. Essentially what is being controlled is the lung motion ,now as we know very well,a normal person cannot survive if he stops breathing for a couple of minutes, so we breathe continuously as long as we live, so the breath is like the flywheel of a body, by controlling the breath i.e. the lung motion, other motions of the body are controlled. By rythmising breathing, the nerve motion of the nerve controlling the breath becomes rythmised and so does every motion in the body, the mind becomes calmer since the rythmic nerve currents affects the mind and in turn other nerve currents become rhythmic as well. According to the Yogis, the target of Pranayama is awakening of the Kundalini, which they say is located inside the vertebral column starting from the base of the vertebral column to the top of the head, it comprises of 7 chakras . 
They also say by continence and long practice of Yoga when the Kundalini divine knowledge and spiritual powers come to the Yogi.

Now practically what is observed is that by little practice of Pranayama ordinary people can achieve excellent health and mental balance. Yes the ageing process does come down, and it also cures and prevents diseases. Good health is said to be the first advantage of Yoga, but it is not the ultimate aim. However if you just want to have healthy body and mind, Yoga is for you, however one should not desire for higher powers immediately, since it requires a life of high continence and very long and hard practice . The Yogis also say that achieving the real superconcious state, which is the target of Yoga, can take many many births, for them the cycle of birth and rebirth is true and the practice of Yoga for them is to ultimately get freedom from this cycle of birth and rebirth - what Buddha called Nirvana.

Modern day Yoga teachers like Baba Ramdev of India have done a lot of research and have adapted Pranayama for the benefit of common people. He made Yoga popular across the world and showed that Pranayama is far more beneficial than even tough Asanas(yogic Postures). For normal people Pranayamas like Kapalbhati,Anulom-Vilom are the most beneficial in fact there are people who have cured incurable diseases by the practice of it there are many different Pranayams but the above two are most beneficial. The rules for practising the above two Pranayams being, you must practice it on an empty stomach at least 5 hours after meal. The best times for practising Yoga is early morning and evening i.e. when the night transforms into day and the day transforms into night.

The ancient Rishis(seers) of India developed Yoga for the benefit of the world and not just for a particular religion and country. Yoga is the greatest gift from India to the world.

------Rakesh Mallick