Yogic breath, known as Pranayama (Sanskrit term) in the yogic world, is the 4th Limb in Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of the Yoga Sutras and is considered an essential step to on the path to Enlightenment (Samhadi).
Our Pranayama not only supports and deepens our yoga practice, but it teaches us ways to find calm through stressful times, to invigorate the body when you are feeling sluggish and introduces many scientifically proven health benefits.
Prana - is our life force energy, our breath, oxygen, our blood. Our breath, an essential involuntary bodily function. Although we cannot control whether or not we breathe, to some extent we can control the way that we breathe.
Ayama - Exercises in breath control, deliberate methods of inhalation and exhalation for specifically for thier mental and physical benefits.
Breathing is part of the autonomic nervous system, which is comprised of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for responding to stimuli and deciding whether they are threatening, telling the body how to react. (our fight or flight modes). The parasympathetic nervous system helps the body calm back down after the danger or the stressor has passed.
When you're aware of the effects of stressors on your nervous system you can consciously slow and deepen the breath signalling the body that it's ok to calm down. Breath is a powerful force you can use to control your body's responses.
The benefits of Yogic breath are long but here are 10 to get you started!
Improving cardiovascular health increasing the blood circulation and oxygen capacity.
Reducing risk of hypertension allowing the body to relax.
Improving lung function and assisting with asthma.
Treating depression and anxiety.
Weight loss through detoxification removing all accumulated toxins from your body.
Strengthening immune system.
Cures digestive problems alleviating digestive problems including reducing bloating.
Fight Sinusitis
Improves Mental Concentration.
Good for skin health and removing the blemishes.
If you're interested in including Yogic Breath into your routine, join us for a Yoga class in the studio at For the Folk Yoga and Wellness our read our blog post 'Inhale, Exhale'.