Pranayama is an important part of the practice of yoga. It is sometimes referred to as “breathing yoga” because it involves teaching people how to control their breathing. You will often find pranayama combined with other key components of yoga. Asanas, also known as postures, are commonly taught in tandem with pranayama because both of these are critical to a person developing a good yoga routine. They also allow a yoga student to get in touch with his or her body. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of teaching pranayama:
1. Reduced Breathing Rate
The practice of pranayama breathing techniques can allow a person to control their breathing to the point where they can breathe deeper and slower than they did before. It is common for people who practice pranayama to lower their breathing from roughly 15 breaths per minute to five or six breaths per minute. Lowering your breathing rate by one third can lower the heart rate, making it easier to enter a state of meditation. It can slow down wear and tear on your organs. Your blood pressure will be lowered, relieving stress in your body.
2. Longer Life
For many centuries, yoga philosophy has stated that a person’s breathing rate is directly connected to how long they are going to live. By learning to lower their breathing rate through the practice of pranayama, a person can potentially increase their longevity. An example that yoga practitioners frequently use is that of a tortoise, which only takes roughly five breaths per minute and often lives for well over a century.
3. Improved Blood Circulation
When a person breathes, blood that is freshly oxygenated will travel from the lungs and make its way to the heart. It is pumped by the heart and carried by blood vessels and arteries throughout the entire body. It will then start to seep into all of the cells and tissues in the body. The focused breathing techniques frequently utilized and taught during the practice of pranayama will make a person’s blood circulation better than it was before they started to use these techniques.
4. Improved Heart Health
The human heart beats roughly 100,000 times each day. How healthy your heart is will play an enormous role in determining the length of a person’s life. Breathing exercises used during the practice of pranayama will increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. This will allow a larger amount of oxygen to reach muscles located in the heart, making it stronger and able to pump blood more efficiently.
5. Better Functioning Organs
– All organs in the body will receive an increased amount of oxygen. Toxins will be removed in a more efficient manner, preventing various diseases from forming as easily. The immune system is made stronger by the practice of pranayama.
– The efficiency of a person’s digestive system is improved. Problems related to digestive organs do not occur often.
– The autonomic system functions better, allowing the pancreas, intestines, diaphragm, lungs, kidneys, abdomen and heart to work more efficiently with less stress on the body.
6. Improved Mental Health
Mental conditions such as depression and anger all dissipate tremendously in individuals who practice pranayama.
7. Improved Sleep
Insomnia is an epidemic in our society. This is often the result of stress caused by financial, family and work-related commitments. Pranayama will put your mind in a meditative and peaceful state, preparing it for sleep.
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