By Atul Vyas
In yogic tradition, the breath is seen as the outward manifestation of prana or vital energy or life force. Yogic philosophy believes that by practising breathing exercises called pranayama one can increase the flow of prana, vital force through the body which literally recharges body and mind.
According to the science of yoga prana or vital force circulates through the body by 72,000 psychic or astral energy channels called nadis.
These channels or nadis not only permeate every part of the body but also create an energy field, or aura around it. When one performs asanas or yogic poses, one applies pressure to points where important nadis cross.
This works like acupressure, unblocking vital energy. The starting or basic pranayama is the essential preparatory technique to master pranayama.
This is the first stage on the road to full yogic breathing, which teaches one how to make full use of one's lungs capacity.
This first stage is called Abdominal breathing.
Technique
1. Lie down on the floor in a corpse pose with palms on your abdomen and fingers apart.
2. Now breathe in deeply and feel the movement on your abdomen which will bulge out or expand moving fingers draw apart.
3. After inhaling fully, now exhale deeply contracting expanded abdomen, drawing fingers together.
4. Keep doing it for 10 rounds, then relax.
Benefits
1. It helps prana to regulate in the body uniformly.
2. It relaxes the nervous system and de-stresses.
3. It reduces anxiety.
4. It is very good for the heart.
(Atul Vyas likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India)
