This week we just breathe and look at pranayama. Pranayama, is an ancient practice from the philosophy of yoga that focuses on controlling the breath and connecting with life force energy. It is often referred to as “breathwork†and is one of the eight limbs outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Though it may seem like a simple concept, pranayama has a deep and powerful impact on our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Let’s explore this fourth limb of yoga in more detail.
What is Prana?
Prana is an ancient Sanskrit term that refers to the life-force energy within us. This energy can be found throughout nature—it is the same energy that connects us all, plants, animals, and humans alike.
Prana helps keep us alive, healthy, and balanced; if we become imbalanced or stagnant in our prana flow, we can become ill or experience emotional distress.
Practicing pranayama helps enhance our connection to this life-force energy so we can better understand ourselves and achieve balance within our bodies and minds.
What is Breath Control?
Breath control (also known as pranayama) involves controlling your breath through different breathing techniques. These practices are designed to help cultivate awareness around your body’s natural rhythms, aligning you with the natural world around you.
How Breathing Affects Our Physical Wellbeing Through the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve plays an important role in regulating our parasympathetic nervous system which controls bodily functions such as respiration rate and heart rate during restful states such as sleep or meditation practices like pranayama . By controlling our breathing rate through pranayama exercises, we can activate certain areas within our brain associated with relaxation responses which sends signals along the vagus nerve, thus reducing feelings associated with anxiety or stress.
Overall, pranayama forms an integral part in yogic philosophy being seen as both a spiritual practice but also having many physical benefits when done regularly. It forms one out of eight limbs within yogic philosophy, all leading towards enlightenment over time, enabling practitioners to develop a sense on inner peace while feeling connected with their environment at large.
Additionally, it has many physical benefits when done regularly such as improving oxygen circulation throughout our body, aiding digestion, plus helping regulate our parasympathetic nervous system through stimulating activity along our vagus nerve providing us with feelings associated with relaxation thus reducing anxiety levels over time. All this makes it an essential component for anyone looking for greater emotional balance alongside promoting overall physical health.
Sunshine Yoga Shack News
Last few days to save on the discounted first month of membership. New members will get 50% off the first month of membership. Book your class and use coupon code 2023 at checkout. Membership at Sunshine Yoga Shack gives you access to unlimited class at the studio and unlimited access to our on-demand classes as well as streaming classes as they happen.
Look for dates for our new 300 Hour Training coming this summer. Our in-person 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training is full, but no worries, the online version is ready for you to start today!
Our Yoga Alliance-approved school has Yoga, and our Aerial Yoga Training with 100% virtual sessions you can take from your phone, tablet, and computer. Follow this link for more information on teacher training.
On the 10th and 11th of February, we have some wonderful workshops available. Mallory will have a Sound Bath, and Jennifer and Cindy will have am Aerial Yin and Nidra. Sign up soon, as space is limited. Follow this link for more information on Sunshine events. Both of these events are almost full so book today.
Breathe deeper into this week and book your classes today.
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