The breath as the key to yoga, introducing bandhas and mudras. Pranayama is believed to be one of the most important practices in yoga. By practicing pranayama, the yogi is able to control the nervous system and thereby gain control over the prana (the vital energy source) and the mind. Prana or vital energy force is found in all forms of life from mineral to man. It is in all living things. The whole body is controlled and regulated by prana, right down to every cell in the body. It is the very force which animates the whole universe. It is to be found in air, food and water, it is not just related to breath alone. Prana is not one of the chemical constituents of these things; they are just the media through which it is carried. Pranayama or breath control is known to be one of the eight limbs of yoga. The eight limbs are divided into exterior methods concerned with the body and prana and the internal methods which develop the mind. Hatha yoga is first concerned with the physical body which is an important temple for the soul. It is impossible to have purity in the mind and achieve higher states of consciousness, without first purifying the body in which the mind functions. In order to purify the body, we start with the asanas or postures along with pranayama or breath control and expansion. The Ujjayi breath, which is a controlled, breathing technique, is used extensively in yoga and is translated as “victorious breath” This technique creates a huge amount of heat and energy. With the flow of yoga through the asanas and the breathing, the movement and breath become inseparable. Without the correct breathing, the asanas can not be performed correctly. It is interesting to note that in the eight limbs of yoga, the 3rd limb is asana and the 4th limb is pranayama and we have to utilise the 4th limb method in order to practice the 3rd limb method correctly. The breath, as was stated earlier, creates great heat and the sound of the breath becomes a sound of focus when one is deep into the postures. It helps to train the mind to become still and present. The grossest manifestation of prana in the body is the movement of the lungs. If the lungs stop…..Life stops. So, controlling the lungs enables us to control the prana. Gradually, as every part of the body is filled with prana, it can be brought under our control. Abundant prana will radiate vitality and strength, which will be seen shining out from individuals who have mastered the practice of pranayama. As we bring the physical body under control, it will eventually lead to the control of the prana which manifests as mental power and we will gain mental focus and stillness. The Control of this finest and highest manifestation of prana using techniques which have been practiced by a yogi will enable one to push the mind into the highest, super-conscious plane, where all which is separate becomes one. This is a difficult task which requires years of practice. Our minds are like grass-hoppers, which are very rarely in one place for many moments. There are so many outside influences which take the mind’s attention. In order to gain control of the mind, Hatha yoga uses pranayama exercises to control and expand the breath and ultimately, the vital energy force. Through the practice of Asanas and pranayama, the mind becomes one-pointed and can then progress to the state of Dharana or concentration. This leads on towards Dhyana or meditation, in order to reach Samadhi or the super-conscious state of all-as-one. This leads us to realise that mind and prana are interdependent and the regulation of prana and the breath will steady the mind and raise the consciousness. On a practical level, when inhalation occurs, prana is stored in Various nerve centres, especially the solar plexus. Increasing prana increases vitality. With correct breathing and exercise and correct nutrition, many of the diseases of the modern times such as blood pressure, heart disease and asthma could be greatly reduced. It is also thought that through pranayama, man’s mental powers of will power, self-control, concentration, morality and even spiritual evolution could be enhanced. We have discussed the physical body and the gross manifestation of prana but how, we ask ourselves does it work in the subtle bodies. As well as asanas and breath control, yogis also use something known as bandha (or lock) control. This is another technique which is equally as powerful and is utilised at the same time. We use three bandhas, known as Jalandhara bandha or chin lock, Uddiyana bandha or flying upward lock and Mula bandha or root lock. These locks are special postures which hold and use reserves of prana which have been generated by the pranayama exercises. They prevent the prana from escaping from the body and enable the yogi to regulate its flow and convert it into spiritual energy. During the practice and with the use of bandhas and pranayama, the prana- the positive energy, which is responsible for the beating of the heart and the breathing and the Apana- (Apana means –downwards) - the negative energy which is responsible for the elimination of waste from the excretory system come together and unite and are forced into the central canal of the subtle body, held in the spinal column. There is a fusion of positive prana ions and negative apana ions which creates an enormous amount of energy at the base of the spine- known as the Kundalini. During this process the Jalandhara bandha- chin lock- prevents the prana from flowing up and the Mula bandha –root lock- prevents the Apana from flowing down so that they unite and flow into the central canal or Shushuma. Uddiyana bandha also helps to force the prana up the shushuma into the higher chakras or energy centres. It is at this point that we also need to consider mudras. Mudra as a term has many meanings – in Sanskrit it means seal- It is a name used to signify a gesture, a position of the hands, a seal or a symbol. The mudras or seals we use in yoga can help us to attain different states of consciousness which they symbolise, for example, If a person uses the Abhaya Mudra, which Is the mudra for fearlessness, they will, gradually, with time, be freed from fearfulness. It appears that mudras engage or tap into certain areas of the brain or higher consciousness and have a corresponding influence on them. Mudras can have an effect on the physical body as well as the mind. An example of this is the chin mudra, which is used in pranayama exercises, such as Kapalabhati- it helps to increase oxygen flow to the lungs. So, we can see that we are able to influence our bodies and minds by bending, crossing, extending or touching the fingers with other fingers. In Hatha yoga there are 25 mudras, they also include eye and body positions (asana) and bandhas (locks). Each mudra creates a special connection to the cosmic consciousness or divine. Together, with bandhas, mudras redirect the energy flow linking the individual pranic energy with the universal energy. The finger positions seal and direct the energy through the body. It is like speaking to the body with energy instead of words. How one holds the hands and the positions of the fingers in a given posture will generate different energies to different parts of the body and mind. It is possible to touch the fingers in certain ways to create balance of the self or healing of the body, to enhance meditation or to focus internally. It is said that the entire universe lies within the hands – A microcosm of a macrocosm. So, we have learnt that pranayama cleanses the nadis or energy channels throughout the subtle body – the subtle body encircles the physical body and is part of it. As the prana flows through the nadis, it keeps them healthy and prevents decay. It rejuvenates the whole system (they say that yoga keeps you young and this is where it comes from, it is not postures alone) the rejuvenation cleanses the body and in turn changes are brought about in mental awareness and steadiness of the mind. The physical muscles are enabled to relax and this lessens the tension in the body. This subsequently, lessens tension in the mind. Where there is less tension there can be an attainment of serenity and tranquillity. Physically, the methods of asana and pranayama improve the circulatory system, digestive system and elimination organs. Toxins are cleansed and disease finds it difficult to exist in such an environment. Hence, the body, mind and intellect through movement and breathing are brought together as one. Breath being the ultimate key to yoga and the attainment of all that exists
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:52:03 +0000
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