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The Energetics of Pranayama Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy Advanced Applications Course The Energetics of Pranayama Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Increasing Energies • A yogi strives to steadily increase the subtle energies of prana, tejas, and ojas. As ojas rises • When all three energies rise contentment proportionally, a person As tejas deepens. rises maintains health and balance percepon Expands. physically and emotionally. As prana rises consciousness expands. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Responsibility of Energies As prana rises within • It tends to dry out ojas. • Ojas is responsible for the body containing prana and tejas (kundalini). As tejas • It tends to burn out ojas, a • Ayurveda understands this to rises funcon of its fire-like be the cause of many nature. imbalances. • The result is serious Once imbalance in both the depleted physical and subtle body. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Disturbed Energies • Poor stamina, easily losing mental or emoonal balance, chronic irritability, and sensivity to minor Low ojas include :: environmental, mental, or physical stresses. • Appear as anxiety, hyperac2vity, depression, and Disturbances of uncoordinated thought processes. prana :: • Manifest as gullibility or cynicism. Tejas imbalances :: Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 If Ojas are Depleated • These three subtle energies also function in the manovaha- srota and the samjna-vaha-srota. • The result is disturbed emotions, pathological thoughts, and susceptibility to influences from the subtle worlds. • Western psychologists classifies this as psychosis. • Knowledge of the subtle energies of prana, tejas and ojas makes clear why proper preparation is necessary. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Proper Preperations • Practicing the yamas and niyamas as well as following an appropriate diet. • Ojas is strengthened by activities that provide stability and nourishment. • The yamas and niyamas of Yoga articulated by Patanjali provide a living foundation for Yoga practice based on integrity, insight, discipline and morality, which leads to the fortification of consciousness. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Dinacharya :: Daily Work • Ayurveda sets forth regimens to protect the body and mind. • To preserve and maintain ojas, these regimens manage the three pillars of life: • rest, digestion, and sexual energy. • Practice of the yamas and niyamas combined with Ayurvedic lifestyle and dietary regimens. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 The Yogic and Ayurvedic Diet • Yoga traditionally emphasizes a moderate diet consisting of :: • Sweet, nourishing foods such as grains, some beans, milk, ghee, and honey, as well as fruits and vegetables. Sour, salty, and pungent foods are to be avoided. Alcohol and meat are strictly prohibited. In addition, only fresh foods should be consumed. • Proper digestion is necessary for the body to produce ojas. • Ayurvedic texts thus outline regimens that not only include what to eat, but also how to prepare food and eat it in ways that protect agni. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Effects of practicing Pranayama • Effects on Body :: • Sweating may occur, a sign that the nadis are being purified. • Tremors or shaking as well as various other neurological sensations, including seeing colors and lights and hearing inner sounds. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Effects of practicing Pranayama • physiological effects: • improved circulation, purification of the lungs, physiological support for the liver, spleen, and kidney, stimulation of peristalsis improving fecal excretion, sharpening of the intellect, and improved memory. • Effective in treating conditions of the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems, which are most directly dependent on pranic flow. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 The Practice of Pranayama • Decreases the rate of respiraon and elongates the breath. Pranayama culvates the prana-agni or the fire that digests prana. It is this digeson that transmutes prana into its higher form, where it acts as a force for the transformaon of consciousness. It is also this agni that is responsible for purifying the nadis. Inhalaon feeds the fire. Reten2on purifies the prana. Exhalaon rids the body of its waste by-product. As the prana-agni slowly builds, the body begins to lightly sweat. This aids the purificaon of the subtle nadis. Prana-agni is the heat associated with the kundalini. Prana-agni converts breath into life on the physical level and life into immortality or enlightenment on the subtle level. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Ujjayi • Inhaling through both nostrils. • A hissing noise is made in the back of the throat during inhalation. • Inhalation is followed by retention, and exhalation is done through the left nostril, which reduces mucus in the throat, builds the digestive fire, and purifies all tissues and nadis. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Surya Bhedana • Inhaling through the right nostril (pingala). • Retention, and then by exhalation through the left nostril (ida). • This form of pranayama heats the body, increasing both tejas and prana. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Nadi-shodhana / Anuloma-viloma • Performed by sitting in the appropriate posture and inhaling through the left nostril (ida). • Followed by retention, and exhalation through the right nostril (pingala). • The process is repeated beginning with inhalation through the right nostril, followed by retention and exhalation through the left nostril. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Bhastrika • The exhalations are made by forcefully contracting the lower abdominal muscles and pushing air out of the lungs. • The inhalations are made by releasing these contracted muscles and allowing the breath to passively flow into the lungs. • This pranayama is very aggressive and requires the most preparation. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Bhramari- Pranayama • This breath is similar to ujjayi, but instead of a hissing sound is accompanied by a humming sound, like a bee makes (bhramari). • This form of pranayama has been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. • A cooling breath, bhramari increases prana, pacifies pitta, and may aggravate vata and kapha. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Types of Pranayama :: Shitali • Performed by sticking the tongue further out between the lips and curling it into a straw. • Inhalation is followed by retention and then exhalation takes place through both nostrils. • Described as a cooling breath, it soothes eyes and ears and has been noted to remove illness of the spleen, liver, and gall bladder, and to eliminate fever. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Proper Practice • Any posture that keeps the spine erect is considered adequate for practice. • it is often recommended to begin simply by equalizing the lengths of inhalation, exhalation, and retention :: sama vritti pranayama. • Another way to practice pranayama is with ratios that are not equal :: vishama-vritti pranayama a ratio of 1:4:2:1. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Conclusion • Knowledge of the principles of Ayurveda is essential for every student who begins to walk the path of Yoga. Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 Share your insights! Inside our Facebook Group Yoga Veda Institute The Energetics of Pranayama :: Module 1 :: Lesson 13 .
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