INFO

Information Central
Basics & Backgrounds
Getting Started
Yoga Styles
Learn Yoga Online
Pranayama
Yoga & Meditation
Yoga & Health
Equipment & Tools
Safety & Guidelines
Information Search
Dictionary
Site Map
Submit an Article
NEWS
News Central
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
News Archives Search
Submit a News Item
PICTURES
Picture Sharing Central
All Pictures
Latest Additions
Most Popular
Highest Rated
Editor's Choices
Professional
All Photo Albums
Latest Additions
Most Popular
Highest Rated
Editor's Choices
Professional
Share your Pictures
FORUMS
Main Forum
Introductions
General Yoga
Poses & Styles
Apparel & Equipment
Studios & Schools
Chit Chat
Website Related
Join our Forum
COMMUNITY
Community Central
Forum
Picture Sharing
Members Site
Links Directory
Become a Member
SHOP
Yoga Christmas Gifts
Shopping Center
Yoga Exercise Equipment
Yoga Equipment
Yoga Mats
Yoga Balls
Yoga Kits
Yoga Resources
Yoga Books
Downloadable Videos
Yoga Videos
Yoga Music
Yoga Apparel & Props
Yoga Clothes
Yoga Mat Bags
Yoga Paraphernalia
Yoga Jewelry
Personal Care
Product Buying Guide
Shop by Brand
Partner Shops
Product Search
How to Add your Products
TRAVEL
Travel Center
Holidays & Vacations
Schools & Instructors
Centers & Retreats
Travel Search
How to get Listed
BUSINESS
Advertising & Marketing
Link & Banner Advertising
Brand Awareness
Product Advertising
Services Advertising
Site Statistics
Shop Partner Program
Travel Partner Program
Link Partnerships
Start a Site with us
Web Development & BPO
About Us
Contact Us
Legal Information
Home Yoga Info Pranayama



advertisementadvertising info
YOGA INFORMATION ARTICLES
Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) - Prana and the Body
Breath is life. It is one of our most vital functions. Yogis recognize this importance through the Pranayama or Breathing Exercises
which is one of the Five Principles of Yoga. They have formulated different Beginner and Advanced Breathing Techniques to help
you breathe easier and enjoy a healthier and purer life.

The word Pranayama consists of two parts: Prana and Ayama. Ayama means stretch, extension, expansion, length, breath,
regulation, prolongation, restraint and control, describing the action of Pranayama. Prana is energy, the self-energizing force
that embraces the body. Pranayama is when this self-energizing force embraces the body with extension, expansion and control.
Prana and the Body

Prana, the life force or vital energy, is the center of all Yoga Practices. Prana is in matter, but is
not in the matter. It is in the air, but it is not in oxygen. It is a subtle form of energy carried by the
air, food, water and sunlight, and animates all forms of matter. Through the practice of Asanas
and Pranayamas, more Prana is taken in and stored in the body bringing great vitality and strength. In addition, Yogis believes
that man is composed of two other bodies, the astral body and the causal body, aside from the physical body. Prana is the vital
link between the astral and physical bodies. It is mainly in the Nadis that it flows as shown in the image. It exists both as a
positive and negative energy when it is known as "Apana". Prana itself is in afferent impulse, whose nature is to move upward
while Apana is efferent and moves downward. When the two are united in the Muladhara Chakra, the Kundalini energy is
awakened.
Kundalini and the Nadis

The Nadis are nerve channels or tubes in the astral body through which the Prana flows. Asanas and Pranayamas are designed to
purify the Nadis for the Prana to flow freely. If the Nadis are blocked, the Prana cannot flow easily and freely and results to poor
health. According to Ancient Yogis, there are about two thousand Nadis. Of all these Nadis, the most important is the Sushumna.
The function of the Sushumna can be compared to the functions of the Spinal Cord in the physical body. On either side of the
Sushumna are two other Nadis called the Ida and the Pingala which correspond to the sympathetic ganglia of the Spinal Cord as
shown in the cross-section of the spinal vertebra. Kundalini, which is a dormant or static energy and is depicted as a coiled
snake, is located at the base of the Sushumna in the Muladhara Chakra. This energy is awakened by the practice of Pranayama
and other Yogic Practices.


This article was contributed by: http://www.holistic-online.com/.
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article Write New Article
Search Articles


ARTICLE COMMENTS & REVIEWS
Members can post comments on articles and by doing so they can share their own knowledge and experiences with the visitors of
our website. Our editors also review each submitted comment and if it is valuable information they will add it to the article. Use
the Post Comment button below to submit a comment.
Post a Comment




2003-2008 MaxLifestyle International Inc. All rights reserved.