Wow...I have completed 2 years in my Yoga practice. And that entitled me to go for the Iyengar Yogashraya Annual Yoga Camp. In the camp, I got introduced to Pranayama for the first time in my life - by none other than Mr Birjoo Mehta. So this is what I learnt and I experienced there :
The senses can be controlled only through Mind. And Mind can be controlled only through regulation of Breath. So Pranyama (regulation of Breath) helps in quieting the Mind and indirectly controlling the senses.
After a long introduction, we started with basic Pranayama. The first requirement of Pranayama is that you have to be alert throughout the process. The best way to do this is to sit in Half Padmasana with back erect with shoulders pulling back and chest pushing forward and should shoulders down. After this, you start breathing - first normal breaths and then slowly deep inhalation followed by deep exhalation. The inhalation has to be done by pushing the lower abdomen in and exhalation is to be done by pushing upper abdomen in. Initially, you will feel the chest expanding but overtime this will stabilize. Also, initially we might have to consciously inhale and exhale. But after a point in time, the breaths will become shorter and it will fuse into each other.
After 15 mins, we were asked to lie in Savasana and continue the process. Initially, I got disturbed but soon got my rhythm back. Slowly and steadily my mind quietened and I became aware inwardly. I reached a point when I started listening to my heart beats. It was a fantastic experience - never in my life had I experienced this before. When my Teacher asked us to come out, I was very reluctant :(
The next day we were introduced to Viloma exhalation and inhalation - where you exhale in 3-4 different stages. Our teacher explained us that the stops we take should not be abrupt but should be natural stops. While I practiced this, I didn't get the same satisfaction as the earlier day. But I have decided to read up more on this and do it properly.
I am now going to incorporate Pranyama in my home practice. I found this video of Guruji on youtube. you have to see it to believe what he is doing :) :)
The senses can be controlled only through Mind. And Mind can be controlled only through regulation of Breath. So Pranyama (regulation of Breath) helps in quieting the Mind and indirectly controlling the senses.
After a long introduction, we started with basic Pranayama. The first requirement of Pranayama is that you have to be alert throughout the process. The best way to do this is to sit in Half Padmasana with back erect with shoulders pulling back and chest pushing forward and should shoulders down. After this, you start breathing - first normal breaths and then slowly deep inhalation followed by deep exhalation. The inhalation has to be done by pushing the lower abdomen in and exhalation is to be done by pushing upper abdomen in. Initially, you will feel the chest expanding but overtime this will stabilize. Also, initially we might have to consciously inhale and exhale. But after a point in time, the breaths will become shorter and it will fuse into each other.
After 15 mins, we were asked to lie in Savasana and continue the process. Initially, I got disturbed but soon got my rhythm back. Slowly and steadily my mind quietened and I became aware inwardly. I reached a point when I started listening to my heart beats. It was a fantastic experience - never in my life had I experienced this before. When my Teacher asked us to come out, I was very reluctant :(
The next day we were introduced to Viloma exhalation and inhalation - where you exhale in 3-4 different stages. Our teacher explained us that the stops we take should not be abrupt but should be natural stops. While I practiced this, I didn't get the same satisfaction as the earlier day. But I have decided to read up more on this and do it properly.
I am now going to incorporate Pranyama in my home practice. I found this video of Guruji on youtube. you have to see it to believe what he is doing :) :)
