Role of Breath in Yoga
The role of breath is very important in the practice of Asanas
or Yoga positions or yoga postures.
First we need to understand why breathing is incorporated in
yoga practice. The breath is Prana or vital force. Our body
requirements of oxygen or pranic energy are changing depending
on our actions. If we exercise then more oxygen is required
so breathing becomes faster and with force but if we are relaxing
then this need of vital energy is lower and the breathing becomes
relaxed and deep. Also the mental activities affect the breathing.
So
for physical and mental functions, breath is very important.
In Yoga practice, we integrate focus on breath during slow movements
as well as while maintaining asanas or yoga positions.
If
we focus on breathing, the control of breathing shifts from
brain stem / medulla oblongata to cerebral cortex (evolved part
of brain). The thoughts and emotions are by passed and mind
can experience focus, and calm awareness. The emotional stress,
random thoughts are removed. The emotions create tension in
muscles, stiffness and blockages to flow of Prana. Awarenss
of breath helps manage this emotional disturbances and makes
the prana or energy free flowing.
Focus
on breath while making movements also helps in controlling the
movements, which reduce the chances of injury. The muscles work
in a systematic way with greater coordination with nervous system.
Neuro - muscular coordination is better.
Yoga
recommends smooth, relaxed awareness of inhalation and exhalation
during the practice. The mind is focused and the awareness can
be concentrated on the positive thoughts.
Generally
every yoga session should have a positive resolve, may it be
for better physical or mental health or any other purpose. This
positive resolve should be integrated with inhalation process,
as the air or prana entering in to the body affects the entire
body - mind complex. The exhalation can be used for relaxing
and removing the stress from body - mind complex.
Ujjayi
or victorious breath can also be integrated while maintaining
the asanas, as this increases the psychic sensitivity and helps
mind calm down faster. Also Ujjayi lowers the blood pressure
so people having low blood pressure need to be careful.
Genrally
the movements which involve expansion of chest should have inhalation
associated with it and the movements which involve contraction
of chest should have exhalation with them. The second guideline
is if you are making movements against gravity then inhalation
is recommended and with the gravity, exhalation is recommended.
But in any case stress on heart and lungs should be kept minimum.
Gandhar
Mandlik (Rishi Dharmachandra)
