Modern science regards food as the source of energy for the body and has formulated a caloric theory.
This caloric theory is based on nutrition and the state of our body.
It aims to explain our daily food requirements.
In Yogic belief, the energy (Prana) required for human existence is obtained through the air we breathe.
A lesser quantity of energy is obtained from the absorption of food and water.
Principally, energy is absorbed through exposed nerve endings in the nostrils from the inhaled air that passes over them and through the nerve endings in the mouth and the back of the throat.
The skin also absorbs energy directly from the environment.
Breathing should be slow and relaxed to allow sufficient time for energy absorption.
Food should be well chewed and water sipped slowly and allowed to remain in the mouth for a few seconds so that the energy gets absorbed from it.
Rarely does anyone stop to notice his or her style of breathing.
In today's hectic and busy lifestyle we routinely see our fellow friends chew and speak at the same time, gulping down large quantities of air through the mouth for breathing.
A quick sip of liquid is taken to help the large morsels of our on-the-go meal to flush down while carrying a friendly lunch conversation at the same time.
This causes relatively large, poorly chewed chunks of food, soften with cold beverage or hot tea/coffee to make its way to our stomach.
This only adds more strain to our digestive system.
Our working style is no better as well.
Many long hours are spent hunched over the computer, restricting our lungs from fully expanding and compressing our heart at the same time.
If, for a moment, we put our index finger immediately below our nostrils, are we aware that we predominantly breathe from one nostril? Truly amazing! How can this be when both nostrils are wide open? More astonishingly is that the predominant nostril we breathe from can change during a course of 24 hours.
Why and how does it change? I haven't got a cold or nasal defect! The more one learns about Yoga, the answer becomes clear about this amazing phenomenon.
Energy, just like electric energy has positive and negative force.
The positive force or 'pingala', flows in through the right nostril to the right part of the nervous system.
The negative force or 'ida nadi', flows through the left nostril into the left side of the nervous system.
The positive energy feeds the major organ organs, while the negative feeds the muscles, bones and tissues.
The art of Yoga teaches us to strike a balance between the flow of these two energies.
Through different terminologies focusing on the same concept, Yoga states that the right side is the hot (solar), male side, while the left side is considered to be the cooling (lunar), female side.
According to Yogic science, the act of respiration is four-fold: 1.
Inhalation 2.
An inhalation pause 3.
Expiration 4.
An expiration pause During inhalation and exhalation, the body energy is in a state of speed and expansion, during the pause the inner energy is in a natural state of contraction or rest.
When the breathing is fast and irregular, the body energy is in a state of activity with short pause periods.
As a result, the perception is unclear and mind disturbed.
When the breathing is slow, deep and regular, the pause periods are longer.
The body energy is calm and the power of receptivity and concentration of the mind increases.
If you notice, anxiety patients are shallow, rapid breathers.
Anxiety and breathing are interlinked, helping one improves the other.
Breathing is a natural, involuntary, physiological phenomenon.
So why is it necessary to regulate or control breathing? The regulation of breath is called Pranayama.
In Sanskrit "prana" means breath and "ayama" means control, therefore "Pranayama" means a control in the movement of breath.
Pranayama is one of the eight limbs of Yoga.
It is the link between the body and the mind, regulating and conditioning both.
Pranayama restores the harmonious integration of the different systems in the human body, by exercising or massaging the internal organs through the movement of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
In Yoga, the breath and the body are inseparable.
Each movement is connected to each breath; likewise the breath is connected to each movement.
All Yoga postures are practiced with breathe coordination.
Learning the art of correct breathing requires guidance of a qualified and experienced teacher.
This is of great importance if one wishes to gain the maximum benefits of Pranayama.
Breathing can be practiced by anyone from children to adults.
It is proven to be effective with individuals suffering from various ailments such as anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, headaches, individuals on prescribed medication for diabetes and such, smokers, drug addicts and alcoholics.
The benefits of Pranayama are numerous: 1.
Ensures better supply of oxygen to the blood 2.
Eliminates carbon dioxide from the body 3.
Pranayama is the only exercise that can indirectly massage the heart and tone it 4.
The nerves and endocrine glands are made healthier by a more liberal supply of pure blood 5.
The brain and spinal nerves are massaged by internal pressure and by the supply of pure blood 6.
Decreases stress and clams the mind 7.
Improves focus, concentration and memory Breathing is so essential to our existence that life begins with our first inspiration and final farewell is our last expiration.
This caloric theory is based on nutrition and the state of our body.
It aims to explain our daily food requirements.
In Yogic belief, the energy (Prana) required for human existence is obtained through the air we breathe.
A lesser quantity of energy is obtained from the absorption of food and water.
Principally, energy is absorbed through exposed nerve endings in the nostrils from the inhaled air that passes over them and through the nerve endings in the mouth and the back of the throat.
The skin also absorbs energy directly from the environment.
Breathing should be slow and relaxed to allow sufficient time for energy absorption.
Food should be well chewed and water sipped slowly and allowed to remain in the mouth for a few seconds so that the energy gets absorbed from it.
Rarely does anyone stop to notice his or her style of breathing.
In today's hectic and busy lifestyle we routinely see our fellow friends chew and speak at the same time, gulping down large quantities of air through the mouth for breathing.
A quick sip of liquid is taken to help the large morsels of our on-the-go meal to flush down while carrying a friendly lunch conversation at the same time.
This causes relatively large, poorly chewed chunks of food, soften with cold beverage or hot tea/coffee to make its way to our stomach.
This only adds more strain to our digestive system.
Our working style is no better as well.
Many long hours are spent hunched over the computer, restricting our lungs from fully expanding and compressing our heart at the same time.
If, for a moment, we put our index finger immediately below our nostrils, are we aware that we predominantly breathe from one nostril? Truly amazing! How can this be when both nostrils are wide open? More astonishingly is that the predominant nostril we breathe from can change during a course of 24 hours.
Why and how does it change? I haven't got a cold or nasal defect! The more one learns about Yoga, the answer becomes clear about this amazing phenomenon.
Energy, just like electric energy has positive and negative force.
The positive force or 'pingala', flows in through the right nostril to the right part of the nervous system.
The negative force or 'ida nadi', flows through the left nostril into the left side of the nervous system.
The positive energy feeds the major organ organs, while the negative feeds the muscles, bones and tissues.
The art of Yoga teaches us to strike a balance between the flow of these two energies.
Through different terminologies focusing on the same concept, Yoga states that the right side is the hot (solar), male side, while the left side is considered to be the cooling (lunar), female side.
According to Yogic science, the act of respiration is four-fold: 1.
Inhalation 2.
An inhalation pause 3.
Expiration 4.
An expiration pause During inhalation and exhalation, the body energy is in a state of speed and expansion, during the pause the inner energy is in a natural state of contraction or rest.
When the breathing is fast and irregular, the body energy is in a state of activity with short pause periods.
As a result, the perception is unclear and mind disturbed.
When the breathing is slow, deep and regular, the pause periods are longer.
The body energy is calm and the power of receptivity and concentration of the mind increases.
If you notice, anxiety patients are shallow, rapid breathers.
Anxiety and breathing are interlinked, helping one improves the other.
Breathing is a natural, involuntary, physiological phenomenon.
So why is it necessary to regulate or control breathing? The regulation of breath is called Pranayama.
In Sanskrit "prana" means breath and "ayama" means control, therefore "Pranayama" means a control in the movement of breath.
Pranayama is one of the eight limbs of Yoga.
It is the link between the body and the mind, regulating and conditioning both.
Pranayama restores the harmonious integration of the different systems in the human body, by exercising or massaging the internal organs through the movement of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
In Yoga, the breath and the body are inseparable.
Each movement is connected to each breath; likewise the breath is connected to each movement.
All Yoga postures are practiced with breathe coordination.
Learning the art of correct breathing requires guidance of a qualified and experienced teacher.
This is of great importance if one wishes to gain the maximum benefits of Pranayama.
Breathing can be practiced by anyone from children to adults.
It is proven to be effective with individuals suffering from various ailments such as anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, headaches, individuals on prescribed medication for diabetes and such, smokers, drug addicts and alcoholics.
The benefits of Pranayama are numerous: 1.
Ensures better supply of oxygen to the blood 2.
Eliminates carbon dioxide from the body 3.
Pranayama is the only exercise that can indirectly massage the heart and tone it 4.
The nerves and endocrine glands are made healthier by a more liberal supply of pure blood 5.
The brain and spinal nerves are massaged by internal pressure and by the supply of pure blood 6.
Decreases stress and clams the mind 7.
Improves focus, concentration and memory Breathing is so essential to our existence that life begins with our first inspiration and final farewell is our last expiration.