Importance of Pranayama and its Benefits

So far we have been performing forward bends and backbends. These poses promote blood circulation throughout the body. Now it is time to focus on purifying the blood.

Purifying the blood is quite simple. The very basis of blood is the oxygen in it. The air we breath in enters the lungs from where it passes into blood and gets transported to all cells and energizes the body. However, you need to do more than normal breathing for optimum health.

Lungs are the only organs that connect us with the universe. When lungs fail to deliver, oxygen cannot enter human body. Few years ago, physical activity was very much a part of life and hence lung performance was at its best. Modern day lifestyle is not as physically demanding and hence we need to perform breathing techniques to maintain optimum health.

Nadi Suddhi and Pranayama are two most important breathing practices. Nadi Suddhi prepares the body for performing Pranayama. Pranayama involves retaining breath for a specified period during breathing practice. It is best to start with Nadi Suddhi.

Nadi means blood. This is the purification of blood with oxygen. The practice involves closing one nostril and breathing through the other.

Before you start practicing breathing techniques, start with breath in deeply through both nostrils and exhaling through both. This practice can be performed after your yoga session is complete with Rest Pose. You can perform breathing practices in Lotus Pose, Half Lotus Pose or Easy Pose.