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Pranayama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pryma (Sanskrit: , pryma) is a

Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the pra
or breath" or, "extension of the life force". The
word is composed of two Sanskrit words,
Prana, life force, or vital energy, particularly,
the breath, and "ayma", to extend or draw
out. (Not 'restrain, or control' as is often
translated from 'yam' instead of 'ayma'). The
origin of this yogic discipline lies in ancient
Bharat (India) and what is known as present
day Hinduism.
Man practicing Prym

Contents
1 Etymology
1.1 Hatha and Raja Yoga Varieties
1.2 Bhagavad Gt
2 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
3 Forms of Pranayama
4 Medical
5 Cautions
6 See also
7 Notes
8 References

Etymology
Pryma (Devanagari: , pryma) is a Sanskrit compound.
V. S. Apte provides fourteen dierent meanings for the word pra (Devanagari: ,
pra) including these:

[1]

Breath, respiration
The breath of life, vital air, principle of life (usually plural in this sense, there being
ve such vital airs generally assumed, but three, six, seven, nine, and even ten are
also spoken of)[2]
Energy, vigor
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The spirit or soul

Of these meanings, the concept of "vital air" is used by
Bhattacharyya to describe the concept as used in
Sanskrit texts dealing with pryma.[5] Thomas
[6]

McEvilley translates pr as "spirit-energy". Its most

subtle material form is the breath, but is also to be found
in blood, and its most concentrated form is semen in men
and vaginal uid in women.[7]
Monier-Williams denes the compound pryma as
"(m., also pl.) N. of the three 'breath-exercises'
performed during Sadhy (See prak, rechak (English:
retch or throw out), kumbhak".[8] This technical
denition refers to a particular system of breath control
with three processes as explained by Bhattacharyya:
prak (to take the breath inside), kumbhak (to retain it),
and rechak (to discharge it).[9] There are also other
processes of pryma in addition to this three-step

Pran
Pran is a subtle invisible
force (high valence ion
charged oxygenated air air) is the life-force that pervades
the body. It is the factor that
connects the body and the
mind, because it is connected
on one side with the body and
on the other side with the
mind. It is the connecting link
between the body and the
mind. The body and the mind
have no direct connection.
They are connected through
Pran only.
Swami Chidananda
Saraswati

model.[9]
Macdonell gives the etymology as pra + yma and
denes it as "m. suspension of breath (sts. pl.)".[10]
Apte's denition of yma derives it from + ym and
provides several variant meanings for it when used in
compounds. The rst three meanings have to do with
"length", "expansion, extension", and "stretching,
extending", but in the specic case of use in the
compound pryma he denes yma as meaning
"restrain, control, stopping".[11]
An alternative etymology for the compound is cited by
Ramamurti Mishra, who says that:
Expansion of individual energy into cosmic energy is
called pryma (pra, energy + aym,
expansion).
[12]

[3]

Yog
Yog primarily works with the
energy in the body through
the science of pranayam or
energy-control. Pran also
means breath. Yog teaches
how to still the mind through
breath-control and attain
higher states of awareness.
The higher teachings of yog
take one beyond techniques
and show the yogi or yog
practitioner how to direct his
concentration in such a way
as not only to harmonize
human with divine
consciousness, but to merge
his consciousness in the
Innite.
Paramahansa Yogananda

[4]

Hatha and Raja Yoga Varieties

Some scholars distinguish between hath and rj yog varieties of prym, with the
former variety usually prescribed for the beginner. According to Taimni, hath yogic
prym involves manipulation of pranic currents through breath regulation for
bringing about the control of chitt-vritti and changes in consciousness, whereas rj yog

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prym involves the control of chitt-vritti by consciousness directly through the will
of the mind.[13] Students qualied to practice prym are therefore always initiated
rst in the techniques of hath prym.[14]

Bhagavad Gt
Prym is mentioned in verse 4.29 of the Bhagavad Gt.[15]
According to Bhagavad-Gt As It Is, prym is translated to "trance induced by
stopping all breathing", also being made from the two separate Sanskrit words, pr
and ym.[16]

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Pranayama is the fourth 'limb' of
the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
mentioned in verse 2.29 in the
[18][19]

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Patanjali, a Hindu Rishi, discusses
his specic approach to
pranayama in verses 2.49 through
2.51, and devotes verses 2.52 and
2.53 to explaining the benets of

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali[17]

Pada (Chapter) English meaning

Sutras

Samadhi Pada On being absorbed in spirit

51

Sadhana Pada On being immersed in spirit

55

Vibhuti Pada

56

On supernatural abilities and gifts

Kaivalya Pada On absolute freedom

34

the practice.[20] Patanjali does not fully elucidate the nature of prana, and the theory
and practice of pranayama seem to have undergone signicant development after
him.[21] He presents pranayama as essentially an exercise that is preliminary to
concentration, as do the earlier Buddhist texts.[21]
Many yoga teachers advise that pranayama should be part of an overall practice that
includes the other limbs of Patanjali's Raja Yoga teachings, especially Yama, Niyama,
and Asana.[22]

Forms of Pranayama
There are over 50 particular Pranayama techniques and forms, these include: [23][24]
Anuloma pranayama- Alternate Nostril Breathing, a.k.a. 'Nadi Shodhana
Pranayama'
Ujjayi Pranayama - aka "Ocean Breath"
Bhastrika Pranayama - "Bellows Breath" - Long and deep diaphragmatic breathing
Kumbhaka Pranayama - "Breath retention"
Viloma Pranayamaa - "the air is inhaled and exhaled with pauses" [25]
Udgeeth Pranayama - "Chanting Pranayam" - often done with the chanting of the

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Om mantra.
Kapalabhati pranayam - "Skull shining breath"
Shitali Pranayama - "Cooling breath" - Breathing is done through the mouth with
the tongue extended
Shitkari Pranayama
Surya Bhedana Pranayama & Chandra Bhedana Pranayama - Single nostril
breathing, right nostril is associated with the Sun (Surya) and left nostril with the
moon.
Sama Vritti Pranayama - "Equal Breathing"
Agnisar Pranayamaa - focuses on the Navel region/Stomach
Bhramari Pranayama - "Bee Breath" - The yogin makes a humming sound while
breathing
Agni-Prasana - "Breath of Fire"[26]

Medical
Several researchers have reported that pranayama techniques are benecial in treating
a range of stress-related disorders,[27] improving autonomic functions,[28] relieving
symptoms of asthma[29] (though a dierent study did not nd any improvement[30]) and
reducing signs of oxidative stress.[31][32] Practitioners report that the practice of
pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, [22] and
also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception. [33]
Alternate nostril breathing (ANB) pryma, also known as Nadisuddhi pryma, is
one of the benecial pryma for cardiopulmonary functions. Regular practice of
ANB (Nadisuddhi) increases parasympathetic activity and lowers systolic blood
pressure as well as respiratory rate.[34] In fact there are a number of studies indicating
that pranayama causes changes in the cardiorespiratory system including a lowering of
blood pressure and of heart rate.[35][36][37]

Cautions
Many yoga teachers recommend that Pryma techniques be practiced with care,
and that advanced pryma techniques should be practiced under the guidance of a
teacher. For example, people with low blood pressure must perform it cautiously or may
even have to avoid it. On the other hand pranayama may be helpful for someone with
high blood pressure as the practice has been shown to lower resting blood pressure and
heart rate (see the Medical section this article). These cautions are also made in
traditional Hindu literature. Pregnant women may have to forgo pranayama. [38][39][40]
Exercises which incorporate the Valsalva maneuver, a moderately forceful attempt to
exhale against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's
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nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon, have been medically associated
in emergency room practice with subcutaneous emphysema, development of pockets of
air in the body outside the lungs, for example under the skin or in the abdomen. [41] An
incidence of rectus sheath hematoma which required emergency surgery to repair a
ruptured inferior epigastric artery and removal of 750 ml of blood from a woman's
abdomen occurred during vigorous pranayama practice by an older woman with high
blood pressure.[42]

See also
Anuloma pranayama
Bhastrika
Hatha yoga
Kapalabhati
Rja yoga
Swami Ramdev
Ujjayi breath

Notes
1. ^ Apte, p. 679.
2. ^ For the vital airs as generally assumed

11. ^ See main article (yma) in:

Apte, p. 224. Passages cited by Apte for

to be ve, with other numbers given, see:

this usage are Bhagavatgita 4.29 and

Macdonell, p. 185.

Manusmriti 2.83.

3. ^ Chidananda, Sri Swami, The Philosophy,

12. ^ Mishra, p. 216.

Psychology, and Practice of Yog, Divine

13. ^ Taimni, p. 258.

Life Society, 1984

14. ^ Iyengar, p. 244 Iyengar, B. K. Sundara

4. ^ Yogananda, Paramhansa, The Essence

of Self-Realization, ISBN 0-916124-29-0

Raja (1995). Light on Yoga. ISBN

0-8052-1031-8

5. ^ Bhattacharyya, p. 311.

15. ^ Gambhirananda, pp. 217218.

6. ^ McEvilley, Thomas. "The Spinal

16. ^ Bhagavad-gita As It Is Chapter 4 Verse

Serpent", in: Harper and Brown, p. 94.

7. ^ Richard King, Indian philosophy: an

29 (http://vedabase.net/bg/4/29/).
Vedabase.net. Retrieved on 2011-02-25.

introduction to Hindu and Buddhist

17. ^ Stiles 2001, p. x.

thought. Edinburgh University Press,

18. ^ Taimni, p. 205.

1999, p. 70.

19. ^ Flood (1996), p. 97.

8. ^ Monier-Williams, p. 706, left column.

(http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks
/mw/0700/mw__0739.html)
9. ^

a b

Bhattacharyya, p. 429.

10. ^ Macdonell, p.185, main entry

prghta

20. ^ Taimni, pp. 258268.

21. ^

a b

G. C. Pande, Foundations of Indian

Culture: Spiritual Vision and Symbolic

Forms in Ancient India. Second edition
published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ.,
1990, p. 97.

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22. ^

a b

Light on Pranayama, Sixth Edition,

Crossroad Publishing Co.

23. ^ Yoga Health Center, Pranayama Basics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranayama

(http://dx.doi.org
/10.2500%2F108854198778557971).
PMID 9532318

and Pranayama Types.

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

http://www.yogahealthcenter.net

/9532318).

/pranayama/
24. ^ Czipin, Jana A; Practice Manual
Pranayama.
25. ^ B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga - Viloma

30. ^ Cooper S, Oborne J, Newton S, et al.

(2003). "Eect of two breathing exercises
(Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a
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(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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26. ^ YAI-Breath of Fire (Agni-Prasana),

(8): 6749. doi:10.1136/thorax.58.8.674

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breath-of-re.html

/10.1136%2Fthorax.58.8.674).

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PMID 12885982

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/12885982).

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(http://dx.doi.org

(2002). "Improvement in oxidative status

/10.1089%2Facm.2005.11.711).

with yogic breathing in young healthy

PMID 16131297

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(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

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(http://dx.doi.org

KC, et al. (1998). "Clinical study of yoga

/10.1016%2Fj.mehy.2006.02.042).

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PMID 16624497

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Sarkar D, Prajapati R (March 2008).

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Nepal Med Coll J 10 (1): 257.

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PMID 18700626

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/pmc/articles/PMC2660045/). Emergency

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