Understanding the Therapeutic & Spiritual Potential of Pranayama
The Gurus of Vedic times placed great importance on pranayama and advocated its practice in order to unleash the hidden potential energy known as the Kundalini Shakti.
In the Prasnopanishad we find the following statement: “All that exists in all the three worlds is under the governance of prana (life force).”
In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swatmarama says, “Disturbed breath leads to a disturbed mind, hence, cultivate a steady and quiet breath in order to control the mind and prolong the life.” He also says, “The lord of the senses is the mind, the lord of the mind is the breath; the master of breath is the nervous system; quietness of the nerves and concentration depend solely on the steady, smooth and rhythmic sound of the inhalation and exhalation.” He warns us that, though pranayama can cure all diseases, it may cause a multitude of problems if performed wrongly.
Pranayama has immense therapeutic potential in a wide range of psychosomatic disorders and can be used either as a monotherapy or in combination with asanas and other aspects of Yoga. Importance must also be placed on right diet and right attitude while practicing pranayama, as the body needs raw materials such as vitamins, minerals and water to heal itself through pranayama.
According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, when the nerves are purified by pranayama the body becomes slender and lustrous, gastric fire increases, inner sounds are heard and excellent health is attained.
Breathing is the key to bridging the gap between body and mind and thus is of vital importance in treating psychosomatic disorders. Savitri pranayama produces a relaxant effect on the cardiovascular system and is extremely useful in hypertension, as well as coronary artery disease.
The long-term manipulation of breathing — by practicing slow deep breathing — results in the overstretching of pulmonary stretch receptors and this chronic manipulation may result in vagus blockage, thereby decreasing vagal manipulation. This also leads to a re-conditioning or re-learning of a healthy pattern of breathing with ample tidal volume and a slow rate.
However,
We must not lose track of the fact that the purpose of Pranayama Sadhana is not only limited to the physical and mental benefits for the patients but also has a lot to offer to the spiritual aspirant in a w-holistic manner.
• Pranayama creates a greater sensitivity and readies the practitioner for the entry into subtler planes of consciousness and existence. Yoga is the art and science of moving from the gross to the subtle until we merge with the Divine and Pranayama is a vital tool to achieve this objective.
• Prana in the body of the individual is part of the cosmic breath of the universal spirit. An attempt is made to harmonize the individual breath (Pinda Prana) with the cosmic breath (Brahmanda Prana) through the practice of Pranayama.
• Gheranda Samhita states that Pranayama bestows lightness or Lagima, one of the Ashta Siddhis (eight psychic accomplishments) on the sincere and dedicated Sadhaka.
• Pranayama Sadhana helps to control the emotions and attain the state of Sama Bhava or Stitha Prajna as described in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. A person endowed with such balance of emotions and mind is a great boon to society and the world.
• Breath awareness that is achieved through Pranayama Sadhana strengthens the mind and makes it easier for it to move inward. Expansion of consciousness and awareness brings the conscious brain into action and thus relieves the Yogi from the stagnant mechanism of life.
• Emotions can be controlled through the practice of Pranayama and the Shat Ripus (six enemies of the spirit) consisting of Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (miserliness), Moha (infatuation), Mada (ego), and Maatsarya (jealousy) are destroyed. We move from being slaves of these emotions to becoming the master of them. Various emotional ‘hang-ups’ are overcome, as the practitioner becomes a stable human being.
• Practice of Pranayama leads to a pure mind. According to Maharishi Patanjali, it dissolves the covering that hides the inner effulgence. Such a mind is fit for concentration and higher Yoga practices, as Dharana and Dhyana require a calm and focused mind capable of turning inward. Only then can the spontaneous flow into Samadhi occur.
• Pranayama Sadhana confers upon the Sadhak both Japa Sadhana as well as Bhakti Sadhana. The conscious repetition of the Ajapa Gayatri leads to Japa Sadhana while in Bhakti Sadhana the Sadhak absorbs Cosmic Energy by inhalation, brings about union of the Cosmic Energy with the individual self by retention and by exhalation surrenders the self and merges it with the universal self.
• The energetic feeling in the body and freshness in the mind are the immediate results of correct Pranayama practice. These help us to perform all our duties tirelessly and with ‘Skill in Action’.
• Practice of Pranayama leads to discrimination (Viveka) and attainment of knowledge and wisdom (Jnana).
• The Yoga path is a difficult path and requires great amount of energy to break through the Tamas or inertia that blocks our progress. Pranayama helps us to build up our energy bank and overcome all obstacles that may arise in our Yoga Sadhana. The true and sincere Sadhak must be extremely alert, aware and conscious as he/she attempts to walk this ‘razor’s edge’ of the spiritual path.
Pranayama has immense therapeutic potential in a wide range of psychosomatic disorders and can be used either as a monotherapy or in combination with Asanas and other aspects of Yoga. Importance must also be placed on right diet and right attitude while practicing Pranayama, as the body needs raw materials such as vitamins, minerals and water to heal itself through Pranayama.
Pranayama is of vital importance in the Yoga Sadhana or Yogic discipline of any sincere Sadhak who is trying to achieve the state of Yoga. Unless the mind is controlled, the higher aspects of Yoga are not possible and the best and only way to really control the mind is by regular, dedicated and determined practice of Pranayama with awareness, consciousness and purity of thought, word and deed.
Pranayama practise can only be possible if the field has been prepared by the sincere practice of the Yama, Niyama and Asana that are necessary preludes to Pranayama Sadhana.
The full article can be read at https://integralyogamagazine.org/pranayama-therapeutic-spiritual-potential/
