Pranayama
Energy Restraint
Concentration is the method of controlling energy. Breathing at it's essence is the experience of energy. Pranayama is the highly disciplined art of becoming aware of energy and controlling it through the breathing process. These practices are conducive to the activation of a full brain hemispheres sync, achieving a meditative state of awareness, which is a singular experiential reality without separation of observer and observed. Pranayama, while requiring great concentration to give the results which truly do the job, offers us a very simple and practical understanding of achieving Yoga through the ebb and flow of breath.
Prana is the infinite energy quantum which is the storehouse of all potential for the universe, andYama is to control or restrain. Our breath starts and sustains our most fundamental understanding of energy and consciousness. Also interestingly..Yama is also the lord of Death in the Hindu practices. What might this mean in relationship to breath discipline practices?
One of the most direct ways pranayama can be used to realise Samadhi is by developing a refined ability of breath reduction, and retention. By slowing down the breath cycles and the volume/time the practitioner's metabolic systems are slowly put into a restful recovery state. One of the main functions effected is mental commentary, thoughts, that inner voice of yourself. As one's metabolism slowdown the mind begins to open gaps to peer into a deeper supportive structure. By riding the spaces longer and longer between the breathes the practitioner can also experience coexisting with larger wave forms in the existence, which is a merger with the great Energy. In a sense as well... learning to dissipate into that great wave by turning off our minds through breath control, is a kind of death, as you are simply in a state disciplining yourself without movement, reaction, commentary, or breathing. Stillness can be achieved. This is also why the great teachers have always nobly made clear that pranayama is a dangerous practice and should be learned in due course by experienced teachers. Long before extreme breath reduction and retention one should learn and become accomplished in all essential Kriya; Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, Uddiyana Bandha Kriya, and balancing Pranayama; Nadi Shodhana, Soham, Chandra and Surya Bheda, Vayus, and Dharana techniques; Ajna Chakra, Star Breathing, Sahasrara Chakra, Muladhara Chakra,
Prana is the infinite energy quantum which is the storehouse of all potential for the universe, andYama is to control or restrain. Our breath starts and sustains our most fundamental understanding of energy and consciousness. Also interestingly..Yama is also the lord of Death in the Hindu practices. What might this mean in relationship to breath discipline practices?
One of the most direct ways pranayama can be used to realise Samadhi is by developing a refined ability of breath reduction, and retention. By slowing down the breath cycles and the volume/time the practitioner's metabolic systems are slowly put into a restful recovery state. One of the main functions effected is mental commentary, thoughts, that inner voice of yourself. As one's metabolism slowdown the mind begins to open gaps to peer into a deeper supportive structure. By riding the spaces longer and longer between the breathes the practitioner can also experience coexisting with larger wave forms in the existence, which is a merger with the great Energy. In a sense as well... learning to dissipate into that great wave by turning off our minds through breath control, is a kind of death, as you are simply in a state disciplining yourself without movement, reaction, commentary, or breathing. Stillness can be achieved. This is also why the great teachers have always nobly made clear that pranayama is a dangerous practice and should be learned in due course by experienced teachers. Long before extreme breath reduction and retention one should learn and become accomplished in all essential Kriya; Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, Uddiyana Bandha Kriya, and balancing Pranayama; Nadi Shodhana, Soham, Chandra and Surya Bheda, Vayus, and Dharana techniques; Ajna Chakra, Star Breathing, Sahasrara Chakra, Muladhara Chakra,
