Prana is the life force that links matter to spirit and is acknowledged and controlled in many cultures. Equivalent names for Life Force in other cultures include Chi, Qi, Ki, Mana, Lom, Apu, and Ton or Walkan. Prana is what links our physical body to the Spirit world. Chitta and the senses allure us away from the inward consciousness of pure Spirit. This is where addictions can take over our lives. Pranayama; the control of life force, along with other Kriya Yoga practices, draw the life forces inward to the natural state of inner peacefulness and balanced self-awareness.

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Prana comes into the body with the breath. To remain alive a human body needs oxygen from the breath and prana; the life force that allows us to think, to act and to create. The human body can go days without food but without breath and prana, the human body would die. Other functions of prana are that is regulates all of our conscious and unconscious bodily functions such as our breath, digestion, elimination, blood flow, cellular growth, hormones, lymph system and healing. Our overall physical, mental and spiritual health is directly related to the circulation of prana in the body. Prana is the path to spiritual unfoldment and realization. Imbalances or blockages in our body causes dis ease in the mind/body complex and causes illusions of separateness.

 

There are many things that we can do to bring more prana into the body which will aid in healthier and happier living:

• Hatha Yoga

• Deep breathing

• Eat fresh and healthy foods

• Think positive thoughts

• Object of Beauty Meditation

• Attuning to your chosen form of divine or goodness.

But in able to move to a place of spiritual maturity, contentment (Santosha) and universal or God consciousness, yogis learn to control prana by practices called pranayama; breath control.

 

The Pranayama practices are the 4th limb in yoga and come after the moral restraints and observances and after asana practice. That is because one needs to have the strong foundation of moral integrity, self-examination and the correct physical posture to do pranayama practices. Remember the practices of breath and prana control move us and get us in touch with higher states of consciousness. Without practicing the first 3 limbs, we may not recognize spirit as divine. And without the correct posture, these pranayama practices may lead to fatigue and disorientation.

 

Guidelines for Pranayama:

• As with Asana practice, pranayama should not be performed on a full stomach. It is recommended to wait at least 2 hours before practice.

• The spine should be vertical and correct posture such as steady body with a straight spine; chin parallel to the ground; shoulders back, chest out, abdomen in; and eyes focus between the eyebrows should be established throughout the practice.

• All breathing during Pranayama is done with the nostrils. If you have nasal passages that are clogged, you can try the neti pot for cleansing the nostrils or you can do most of the practices mentally.

• If there is strain or fatigue in doing Pranayama, lessen the intensity of the practice and know that if you are exhausted, this is not a good time to do pranayama. If you are exhausted you might try a practice of yoga nidra or a restorative pose. But it is important to say that there should be no strain and dis ease. You may want to start off slow and easy and then build up to more intensity as your body and mind get used to the practice.

• In order of practice: You should not do Asana right away after Pranayama. Do Asana first, then Pranayama and then meditation or mantra practice.

• Pranayama practices are done in Santosha Recovery to bring our life force energies inward and upward away from the mind chatter (chitta) and the senses grasping (aparigraha). With this focus and engagement inward and upward we can strengthen the tapas to overcome our addictions and we can improve our mental attitude and mental outlook. Clarity and creativity is a direct result of pranayama practice.

 

In Santosha Recovery, we practice the following Pranayama Techniques: The techniques themselves can be found with the link or on the Techniques drop down menu. This section give the inner effects and benefits.

1. Ujjayi Breath. Also known in modern times as Ocean breath or Darth Vader breath because of the soft but definite sound that this breathing technique makes. It tones the entire body and calms the nervous system and visceral body. Some say it is an expectorant and can help lower high blood pressure. Ujjayi is a meditative breath. It can be used with many practices as it invokes and promotes spiritual success, with this it is sometimes referred to as Victory Breath. 

2. 6:3:6 Breathing. This practice balances the breathing and prana by giving the inhalation and the exhalation the same 6 count length. In between the inhalation and exhalation there is a 3 count pause in which the prana disperses throughout the body. The same length inhalation as exhalation is stabilizing and balancing. The pause after the inhalation holds the breath in the lungs and allows the life currents to strengthen.

3. Nadi Shodana; alternating nostril breathing. This practice balances the energy in the Nadis leading to the sun center (3rd eye chakra). At any given time of the day and night one nostril, and one side of the nadis (lunar and solar sides) is more dominant than the other. This practice balances the energies and brings them to the center channel of clarity and self-awareness.

4. Ascending/descending Kriya Rotation. The Bhagavad Gita as translated by Goswami Kriyananda states: ‘Offering the upward and downward breaths as Vishnu’s esoteric stance, the yogi obtains the Holy Trance, attaining samadhi, finding swift advance.’ This pranayama invites the breath and prana to move up and awaken the chakras of the spine on the inhalation and then holding that attention at the sun center in order to draw the life force energies up to higher states of consciousness. The benefits include obtain spiritual advancement and can be used as a precursor for meditation.

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Again as with Hatha Yoga, learn the Pranayama practices from a certified Yoga Instructor or use a video of a certified Yoga Instructor. The founder of this website is such a person and the audios on this website are recorded from the Founder of Santosha Recovery. Or attend the in-person and zoom meetings available to gain more knowledge of the practices. 

May your spiritual life encompass your everyday life. 'All Life is Sacred' ~ Kriyananda

Shanti