power of pranayama talk by dr ananda balayogi bhavanani
TRANSCRIPT
Power of PRANAYAMA
• Yogacharya
• Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI • MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, MD (Alt Med), FIAY
• Deputy Director
• Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry. www. sbvu.ac.in
SBV Yoga Fest 2016
SBV AIM HIGH’s Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education
and Research (CYTER)
Salutogenesis, our focus!
SBV AIM HIGH’s Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education
and Research (CYTER)
Salutogenesis, our focus!
“அ�ட�தி� உ�ளேத ப��ட�; ப��ட�தி� உ�ளேத அ�ட�; அ�ட�� ப��ட�� ஒ�ேற அறி��தா� பா����ேபாேத” - ச�ைட�ன� சி�த�
That which lies in the macrocosm, lies in the microcosm.
That which lies in the microcosm lies in the macrocosm.
When we understand truly, both are indeed one. - Sattaimuni Siddhar
WHAT IS PRANAYAMA?
• Fourth step of Ashtanga Yoga
• Regulation of inhalation and exhalation
• Science of controlled, conscious expansion of Prana, the vital life force (Prana + ayama)
• A link between body-emotions-mind-spirit
• An Integral Component of Yoga Therapy
– Acts at Pranamaya Kosha (physiological, emotional, subtle level)
– Can be either mono therapy / combination
1. Annamayakosha (Anatomical existence)
2. Pranamayakosha (Physiological existence)
3. Manomayakosha (Psychological existence)
4. Vijnanamayakosha (Intellectual existence)
5. Anandamayakosha (Universal existence)
PANCHA KOSHA - 5 levels of human existence
Classification of Pranayama (By Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri )
• Yoga Pranayamas or Adhamas: Correcting breathing difficulties, cleansing respiratory
system and strengthening the nervous system.
e.g. Vibhaga, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, Sheetali & Sitkari
• Samyama Pranayamas or Madyamas:
Introspective means to attain sensory control, sensory withdrawal, concentration & meditation.
e.g. Brahmari, Pranava and Savitri
• Shakti Pranayamas or Uttamas:
Higher Pranayamas for arousal of Kundalini Shakti.
e.g. Ujjayi and Surya Bhedana
Four Phases of Pranayama
exhalation
held out
held in
inhalation
Deep breathing is economical *
Normal Shallow Deep
Volume 500 200 1000
Rate 12 30 6
Ventilation 6000 6000 6000
Dead space 150 150 150
Dead space V 1800 4500 900
Alveolar V 4200 1500 5100
* Prof Madanmohan, Director CYTER and Head Department of Physiology, MGMC & RI
8 Classical Kumbhakas (Hatha Pradipika)
1. Surya bhedana - sun cleaving breath
2. Ujjayi - the victorious breath
3. Sitkari - hissing breath
4. Sheetali - beak tongue breath
5. Bhastrika - bellows breath
6. Bhramari - sound of bee breath
7. Murccha - fainting/swooning breath
8. Plavini - floating breath
Importance of Pranayama (Hatha Pradipika II:2)
चले वाते चल ं�च�त ं�न�चले �न�चल ंभवेत ्। योगी �थाणु�वमा�नो�त ततो वायु ं�नरोधयेत ्॥
chale vāte chalaṃ chittaṃ niśchale niśchalaṃ bhavet yogī sthāṇutvamāpnoti tato vāyuṃ nirodhayet
When respiration is disturbed, the mind gets disturbed. When breath is steady and undisturbed, mind is also steady and undisturbed. By consciously controlling respiration, the Yogi attains steadiness of mind.
Importance of Pranayama (Hatha Pradipika IV:29)
इि��याणां मनो नाथो मनोनाथ�तु मा�तः ।
मा�त�य लयो नाथः स लयो नादमा��तः ॥
indriyāṇāṃ mano nātho manonāthastu mārutaḥ mārutasya layo nāthaḥ sa layo nādamāśritaḥ
Mind is the master of the senses, while the breath is its Lord. Mastery of the breath lies in its absorption that depends on conscious vibrations induced during smooth, steady inhalation and exhalation.
Importance of Pranayama (Hatha Pradipika II:16)
�ाणायामेन यु�तेन सव�रोग�यो भवेत ्।
अयु�ता�यासयोगेन सव�रोगसमु�घमः॥
prāṇāyāmena yuktena sarvarogakṣayo bhavet ayuktābhyāsayogena sarvarogasamudghamaḥ
When practices like Pranayama are performed properly, they can eradicate all diseases; but improper practice can otherwise generate diseases.
Psycho-mental Benefits (Patanjala Yoga Sutra)
• Tatah kshiyate prakashavaranam –II: 52 “Thereby the shroud covering the inner effulgence is destroyed” • Dharanasu cha yogyataa manasah – II: 53 “Mental fitness is attained for higher practices that begin with one pointed concentration”
Advantages of Pranayama as a tool for therapy
• Doesn’t require any special equipment
• Can be integrated into daily life
• Can be done by most patients
• Not too taxing
• Can be taught in shorter time
• Can be used with other practices
• Space not a constraint
• Cost effective
Limitations of Pranayama as a Therapy
• Needs :
Comprehension
Regularity
Discipline
Dedication
Determination
• Lack of qualified teachers
Slow - rhythmic Pranayamas
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Bronchial Asthma
• Anxiety neurosis
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Geriatrics
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Coronary Artery disease
• Epilepsy
• Insomnia
Sukha, Savitri, Nadi Shuddhi, Ujjayi, Anuloma Viloma
Anti stress
Fast Pranayamas
• Bronchial asthma
• Hypothyroidism
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Obesity
Bhastrika & Kapalabhati
Chandra Pranayama and Chandra Bhedana
• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Epilepsy
• Hyperthyroidism
Relaxation
Surya Pranayama and Surya Bhedana
• Depression
• Asthma
• Excessive sleepiness
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• Syncope
Activation
Cleansing breaths
Anunasika
– ENT disorders
Mukha Bhastrika
– Learning disorders
– Attention disorders
– Mental retardation
– Diabetes mellitus Kukkriya Pranayama
–Digestive disorders
–Throat disorders
Cooling Pranayamas
• Hot flushes of menopause
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Digestive disorders
• Pitta conditions
• Heat exhaustion
• Chronic fatigue Sheetali,
Sitkari, Sadanta
Nada Pranayamas
• Stress disorders
• Eye disorders
• ENT disorders
• Chronic headache
• Sleeping disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
Bhramari & Pranava
Vibhaga Pranayama
• Adham Pranayama – abdominal and lower limb disorders
• Madhyam Pranayama – chest and upper limb disorders
• Adhyam Pranayama – head and neck disorders
• Mahat Yoga Pranayama – affects the whole body
Focusing consciousness into broncho-pulmonary segments
Pranava Pranayama • Using foundation of Vibhaga
• Chanting Akara, Ukara, Makara and Omkara Nada
• 2 to 3 times longer exhalations
• Appropriate hand gestures (Mudras)
Adham Pranayama
“A”
Breathing Part of Body Part of Brain
Lower Chest Lower Reptilian complex
Madhyam Pranayama
“U”
Breathing Part of Body Part of Brain
Mid Chest Mid Mammalian complex
Adhyam Pranayama
“M”
Breathing Part of Body Part of Brain
Upper Chest Upper Neo-cortex
Pranava AUM Pranayama
“AUM”
Breathing Part of Body Part of Brain
Whole Chest Whole Body Whole Brain
Research in Swara Yoga
Uni-nostril & alternate nostril Pranayama techniques have captured imagination of researchers world wide. Recent studies have reported differential physiological and psychological effects including :
– O2 consumption, – metabolism and body weight, – blood glucose, – involuntary blink rates and intraocular pressure, – heart rate and heart rate variability, – stroke volume and end diastolic volume – galvanic skin resistance, – digit pulse volume, and blood pressure .
Uni-nostril / alternate nostril Pranayamas
Suryanadi asana Chandranadi asana
Forced UN / AN breathing
Surya nadi/ bhedana
• activity phase of BRAC*
• activates SNS
• increases O2 consumption
• increases metabolism
• corrects low BP
• increases HR
• increases body temp.
Chandra nadi/ bhedana
• rest phase of BRAC*
• reduces SNS activity
• increases GSR
• lowers blood sugar
• decreases BP
* BRAC- Basic Rest Activity Cycle ~ 90 (80–120) min
Pranayama and breath awareness with movement
• Bhujangini Mudra
• Nasarga Mukha Bhastrika
– with Jathis
– in Meru Asana
– in Ushtra Asana
• Vyagraha Pranayama
• Pawan Mukta Kriya
Bhavanani AB et al. IJPP 2003: 47:297-300 and IJPP 2012; 56 : 174–180.
Improved concentration
power
Greater arousal and faster rate
of information processing
Ability to ignore
or Inhibit extraneous
stimuli
Mukha Bhastrika
(a yogic bellows type
breathing technique)
Enhanced central
neuronal processing
and sensory- motor
performance
Improved baroreflex sensitivity
Normalization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms
Enhanced cardiac autonomic regulation
Integrated relaxation response with
decreased after load
Pranava pranayama
Sukha pranayama
Mild ‘Valsalva like’ effect with decreased pre- load
↓ HR
↓ DP
↓ SP
↓ MP
↓ RPP
Savitri pranayama
Chandranadi pranayama
Clinically valuable
in HT & DM
Improved baroreflex sensitivity
Normalization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms
Enhanced cardiac autonomic regulation
Integrated relaxation response with
decreased after load
Pranava pranayama
Sukha pranayama
Mild ‘Valsalva like’ effect with decreased pre- load
↓ HR
↓ DP
↓ SP
↓ MP
↓ RPP
Savitri pranayama
Chandranadi pranayama
Clinically valuable
in HT & DM
Bhavanani AB et al. Int J Yoga Ther 2011; 21: 73-76 & Yoga Mimamsa 2012; 44: 101-112. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2012; 56: 273–78 & Biomed Human Kin 2012: 4: 66 – 69. Int J Yoga 2012; 5: 108-11
Conclusion
• Different Pranayamas have different psycho-physiological and effects
• It has immense therapeutic potential in stress related – psychosomatic disorders.
• Can be used as mono/combination therapy
• Of vital importance in Yoga Sadhana
• Regular, dedicated and determined practice of Pranayama with awareness, consciousness and purity of thought, word and deed
• Earlier steps of Ashtanga Yoga such as Yama-Niyama and Asana are necessary preludes to Pranayama Sadhana.
Accredited with ‘A’ grade by NAAC