Pran (breath) management is pranayama. If the Pran is in one’s management then the longevity of life, robust resolve, peace and happiness may be achieved. Within the exalted state of pranayama the inherent power of Kundalini gets woke up.
Padmasana is the only best asana but Swastikasana can also be adopted for doing Pranayama.
It has three parts –
- Rechak – Exhaling
- Poorak – Inhaling
- Kumbhak – Retaining the breath
Regulation for pranayama
- The place for pranayama should be clean, airy, peaceful and pure.
- Pranayama should be performed in padmasana, siddhasana or vajrasana, etc.
- Spinal cord, neck, waist and chest should be straight.
- Morning and evening are the right times for pranayama.
- Pranayama should be done on empty stomach or at least four hours after the meal.
- If one is too hungry then pranayama should not be performed.
- While suffering from high fever or disease or in case of pregnant women speedy pranayama should not do.
- While practising pranayama the food consumed should be nutritious and digestive.
- The Stomach should be kept light and without faeces i.e. clean.
- After practising pranayama one should take rest.
- Celibacy is to be practised with special attention.
- Best time for pranayama is 4:30AM, 12:30PM, 4:00PM to 6:00PM and 12:00AM to 2:00AM.
Before doing main pranayama, perform – Kapalbhati Pranayama and Nadi Shodhan or (Anulom – Vilom)
Main pranayama are of eight types –
- Surya-bhedi pranayama
- Ujjayi pranayama
- Sitkari pranayama
- Shitali pranayama
- Bhastrika pranayama
- Bhramari pranayama
- Moorchha pranayama
- Kevali pranayama