Breathing is the most essential function of our body. We all know that without breath we cannot live, but many do not know that along with Oxygen we also intake Prana; a subtle form of invisible vital energy.
Prana; Vital Element to all forms of Life …
The present day science is too young to comprehend things beyond the physical plane of existence. Our Spiritual scientists whom we respectfully call Rishis and awakened sages could even see this subtle vital energy due to their clairvoyant abilities.
They witnessed Prana and its various forms in actual action inside the body. ‘Seeing is believing’, so if present day scientists cast off their inhibitions and associate with real occultists (very rare to find but they do exist even today) then the scientists could develop such powers and open up new vistas for human betterment.
In recent past the great Tibetan Lama Lobsang Rampa was on this earth as true Rishi or sage of that stature, but scientists could not swallow the fact that he knew better than them so they labelled him as a weird person. So the Super human Lobsang Rampa could not benefit present day science because of the prejudices of scientific and intellectual community.
Prana as energy permeates the entire Universe it flows in everything that exists.
Prana is the foundation and essence of all life. Prana acts as a vital link between the material world and consciousness.
The five Pranas …
Inside the body Prana in five different forms regulates various functions as follows:
(1) Prana: It supplies the human body with essential oxygen.
(2) Apana: It influences the lower part of the body from the navel to the soles of the feet and regulates the elimination process.
(3) Udana: Itflows from the heart to the head and brain.
(4) Vyana: It flows through the nerve channels of the human body and has an effect upon the whole body and in particular on nerve-activity and circulation.
(5) Samana: It distributes the nutritious energy of our food throughout the body.
Correct Breathing does it all …
If we do not breathe correctly our breath is too shallow. Since during exhalation the air from lower parts of the lungs is not expelled fully it stays there as stale air. Also as the lungs are not emptied fully during inhalation insufficient amount of oxygen and Prana is taken in.
Inadequate amounts of oxygen and prana makes us sick, lethargic, less enthusiastic and energetic and prone to many illnesses.
Prana is not only required for physical functions of the body it stimulates our thoughts as well. So for a healthy and sharp mind adequate amount of prana is necessary. The more strong>prana a person is able to store at the solar plexus center the more dynamic and impact that person becomes.
Correct breathing involves in exhaling the lungs completely during exhalations and filling them fully during inhalations. This type of breathing is called complete breathing.
Complete Breathing …
The best time to practice is empty stomach. Early morning and evening are the most suitable times as one’s stomach is generally empty at these times. Remember to inhale through the nostrils and exhale through mouth.
Sit comfortably in a place where fresh air is present. Your spine should be erect. In order to grasp fully the idea of complete breathing practice the following three exercises first.
Exercise Number 1: Take a deep and smooth breath to fill the lower parts of your lungs. Let your stomach only swell out with breath. Do not expand your chest or raise your shoulders as you are trying to fill only the lower parts of lungs.
Now exhale completely through open mouth and let your stomach squeeze in and pushed up to expel all air. This first exercise is a practice of ‘Lower Breathing’ in other words fully filling and emptying the lower parts of the lungs. Practice this for couple of times. Relax for a while before proceeding to exercise number two which is middle breathing.
Exercise Number 2: Take a deep smooth breath and fill the middle chest area by expanding it and taking in more air. Keep the stomach and upper chest in normal state. Exhale and squeeze in the chest to fully empty your lungs. Practice for a couple of times. This is called ‘Middle Breathing’.
Exercise Number 3: Take a deep smooth breath and raise your shoulders to fill just the upper parts of the lungs. Do not expand the middle chest and stomach. Exhale fully by bringing the shoulders back to normal position.
The above three exercises are now combined to make it complete breathing.
Complete Breathing: Now you have understood what complete breathing involves so combine all the above three parts.
Take a deep and smooth breath filling the lower, middle as well as upper parts of your lungs. If you do it right and take in sufficient breath then your stomach will swell out pushing the diaphragm down, chest will expand and shoulders will raise and fall backward.
Without retention of breath, exhale slowly and smoothly through open mouth to squeeze out every bit of inhaled breath. Squeeze in your stomach and chest and let the shoulders come to normal position.
Practice this complete breathing at least twenty times in one session. The above three exercises are to be done only on the first day to familiarize with the process. Then daily for twenty rounds do the complete breathing.
Expected main Benefits of Correct Breathing …
• You become more dynamic.
• You are able to influence others effectively.
• Improved physical and mental health.
• Ability to heal others by giving your excess Prana.
• Improved immune system.
• Ability to think clearly and deeply.
• Feeling contented and peaceful.
• Ability to go deep in meditation.
• Better sleep at night.
Article by: Jyotirvid Pawan Kumar
