05/28/2025
Any kind of controlled & conscious breathing has the ability to increase oxygen intake into the body, which in turn increases the intake of prāna, as prāna exists all around us and uses the breath as its vehicle.
In a nutshell, prānāyāma is the expansion of prāna. “Prāna” = life force, and “ayama” = expansion.
During prānāyāma, if done correctly, it is possible to take in seven times more oxygen into the body, which means taking in seven times more prāna, than compared with regular breathing. When the blood is oxygenated better, it increases the body’s ability to absorb micro and macro nutrients, ensuring proper nourishment and strengthening immunity. It also removes carbon dioxide from the cells of the organs and provides them with more oxygen, therefore giving them a boost of prāna. This enlivens the cells and gives life energy to the entire body. In the words of Sri Swami Satchidananda, during prānānāyama “every cell vibrates with new life.”
Aside from the boost of prāna it injects, one of the biggest benefits of prānāyāma is its calming effect on the mind and nervous system. On talking about regulating the movement of breath, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika states:
“Chale vate chalam chittam nischale nischalam bhavet.”
This translates to: “The breath being in motion, the mind is moving. The breath being without motion, the mind must be motionless.”
Through regulating the movement of breath, it steadies and stabilizes the mind, focusing it in a single direction, and directing it toward the inner self.
The practice of prānāyāma is a powerful one which can have tremendous benefits on the mind and physical body. And being so powerful, it is important to practice it correctly, so having a teacher or guide is always recommended.
When practiced properly and consistently, prānāyāma is magical. 🧘🏻♀️ 🕉️
