Pranayama Pt. 2
This post gives a more in-depth explanation of pranayama and the scientific art of yogic breathing. Please read the Pranayama (pt. 1) post first.
Consistent pranayama practice not only calms the mind, it tones the internal organs and create a balanced nervous system. Utilizing visualization and imagery guidance, there are numerous pathways and exercises that help direct different types of prana throughout your body. As an example, we can draw the energy upward, from the belly to the middle of the forehead, which is known as the third-eye, or Anja chakra in yogic philosophy.
Located in between your eyebrows exists the pituitary gland, and deep within the brain is the pineal gland. Throughout human history and observed in several cultures including ancient Egypt, this area is known as the seat of intuition or the seat of the soul, the essence of spirit and intelligent consciousness. It correlates to the Chinese definition of ‘shen’ (which means spirit), housed in the upper dantian. Taoist vocal pedagogue Stephen Chun-Tao Cheng, in his seminal book ‘The Tao of Voice’ discusses starting the vocal energy at this spot, called by Taoists the “center of spirit” or Tsu-Ch’iao. In essence, one can draw the energy of the universe into this area and utilize it for maximum energetic production within the body.
Back to yoga terminology, the fundamental action of drawing the air in and upward is called prana-vayu, vayu referring to wind flow. Let’s do a small exercise together, starting with ujjai breathing, or oceanic breath. Close your lips and slightly constrict the back of the mouth and throat, making an ‘ocean’ sound as you inhale and exhale through the nose – if this imagery doesn’t work imagine you are lightly snoring with your mouth closed. Now place your 3rd and 4th finger in the center of your forehead while your other arm will move in the appropriate circular motion. As you inhale, imagine drawing the energy up from your lungs and heart, through your throat, and into your spirit center. As you exhale, visualize the energy circling down from your forehead, and re-entering the body below the navel center, known as the Sacral chakra, or the lower tan-tien, the center of vital energy. (do full circle 5 times). Excellent. Now inhale both arms to sky, draw the palms together, and exhale down to your heart center. Take a minute to re-center the energy….
Now let’s do the reverse. Once again we are using the power of visualization and hand gestures, inhale through your spirit center, drop the energy down the back of the spine, and exhale the energy down into the earth, in a gesture of release. This motion moves the prana in apana-vayu, or downward motion. Inhale the energy through the forehead, the spirit center, now draw the energy all the way down to your muladhara chakra, the root chakra which is the seat of your reproductive and elimination organs. (do full circle 5 times).
These are just two examples of ways we can move prana, either in upana, upward motion, or apana, downward motion. I have posted a series of videos on the Music and Love Heal YouTube channel (link in menu bar). Each video begins with a discussion of the specific technique and physiological benefits, followed by an approximately 6-minute practice session and meditation. You will explore various methods for expanding the lung capacity, controlling the breath, and maximizing your understanding of the energetic life force. The audio for each meditation will be available as a download in the description box, so you can practice on your own time - I recommend sitting in nature as much as possible when doing these exercises.
Sometimes beginners can experience a sense of lightheadedness when engaging in deep breathing exercises, so I encourage you to always listen to and honor your body. If you feel lightheaded, take a break, and try the exercise again when you are feeling better. I recommend trying only one technique at a time (per day), incorporating the concepts slowly into your body and mind - when you feel ready, move on to the next video. As the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn beautifully states, “Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
