Pranayam is Control of Breath, Energy, Life-Force
Pranayam, also called Pranayama, is an ancient tradition of breathing techniques designed to improve the lives of those who practice it. It’s part of the yogic tradition of ancient India that dates back thousands of years. For centuries, millions of people have used Pranayam to attain peace, happiness and many other wellness benefits. The best part is once you learn the simple techniques you can practice it anywhere, anytime. It’s free and your own body provides everything you need to do it.
Although Pranayam is rooted in Hinduism and is also present in Buddhism, it need not have any religious attachments in order to practice it. The name Pranayama comes from two Sanskrit words: Prana, meaning breath and yama which means control. In Sanskrit, though, the word prana actually has as many as 14 different meanings. All the definitions revolve around the concept of life force. It’s often interpreted to mean breath because in the yogic tradition the breath is known to be one of the life force’s key material forms. Other definitions of the word yama also refer to growth or expansion so Pranayam can also refer to expanding or growing the life force.
Becoming aware of your breath and eventually mastering it means becoming more aware of yourself. It means mastering yourself. This practice can change your life in ways you can’t imagine. “Breath is life and breath is the one thing that accompanies us all through our lives,” says Yossi Dayan. “From the moment we’re born until the day we’re gone we’re always breathing. This is the closest thing to us. It’s even closer to us than our mind. The breath is always there and always ready to help us if we know how to do it.”