Haṭha Yoga Pranayama-1
Manipulations
of Breath-control (called
as “Pranayama”).
Prana is (vital energy or life force) and ayama
(restraining, extending or stretching).
Some Haṭha Yoga scripts explain breath exercises but
do not mention to it as “Pranayama”. For example, section 3.55 of the Gheranda
Samhitha calls it as “the state of the pot” (“Ghatavastha"). In some
texts, the term inhalation or “Kumbhaka” or “Prana-samrodha” replaces
Pranayama. Nevertheless of the vocabulary, proper breathing and the use of
breathing techniques during a posture is a central point and core practices of
Haṭha yoga. Proper breathing exercises cleanse and balance the body.
Pranayama is one of the core practices of Haṭha
Yoga. The total number of limbs taught usually in Haṭhayogapradipika is 3. It
involves inhalation of breath (“pooraka”), internal retention of breath
(“kumbhaka”) and exhalation of breath (“rechaka”). Moreover it is the
preparation of consciously regulating breath.
In some texts total number of limbs is 4 and it
involves inhalation of breath (“pooraka”), internal retention of breath
(“kumbhaka”), exhalation of breath (“rechaka”) and external breath retention
(“viparyaya” or “Bahya kumbakaka”). External breath retention is
"bahya-kumbaka" (This is also known as "viparyaya"). It is
the time taken after the breath is exhausted and the time immediately before
the next breath cycle begins.
This is done in several ways, inhaling and then suspending exhalation for a period, exhaling and then suspending inhalation for a period, slowing the inhalation and exhalation, consciously changing the time span of breath including deep breathing and short breathing.
Haṭhayogapradipika, section 1.38 of prescribe
“Siddhasana” is the most suitable posture to practice breathing exercises.
The different Haṭha yoga texts discuss pranayama in various ways. For
example, Haṭhayogapradipka in section 2.71 explains it as a threefold practice.
These are Inhalation (“pooraka”), retention (“kumbhaka”) and exhalation
(“rechaka”). It states that during the inhalation and exhalation movement three
things will happen. Oxygen, vital life force ("prana") and
practitioner’s (“yogi”) thoughts, and all three are closely connected. It is in
retention (“kumbhaka”) the stillness and dissolution of the mind emerges.
Pranayama is
mentioned in verse 4.29 of the Bhagavad Gita, which states that,
“Apane juhyathi
pranam prane panam thathapare prana pana ghathi rudhwa pranayama parayanah”
This
explains that,
There are others
who lean towards the process of breath control to stay in trance. They practise
stopping the movement of the outgoing breath into the incoming and the incoming
breath into the outgoing, so that when the trance ends, everything stops.
Inhale some of them, slow down the process of eating, and offer the exhaling
breath as a sacrifice to it.
The Indian
tradition of Hatha Yoga makes use of various pranayama techniques. The 15th
century Hathayogapradipika is a key text of this tradition and includes various
forms of pranayama such as Kumbhaka breath retention and various body locks
(bandhas). Other forms of pranayama breathing include Ujjayi breath ("Victorious
Breath"), Sitali breath (breathing through the rolled tongue), Bhastrika
breath ("Bellows Breath''), Kapalabhati breath ("Skull-shining
Breath"), Surya Bhedana breath ("Sun-piercing Breath"),
and soothing Bhramari breath (buzzing like a bee).
The term “Vayu”
is used to denote “Air” in Sanskrit language.
The definition of
Pranayama is defined in Yoga Sutra 2:49 says the following,
“Thasmin sathi
swasa prashwasa Yogathir vichhyethah pranayama”
This says that
“After the Physical postures (Asanas) is perfected the discontinuity of
inhalation and exhalation is Pranayama. This means that retention of air
(“Kumbaka”) is Pranayama.
Kurma Purana in
2:11-30 says that as follows,
“Pranah swadhehajo
vayurayama masthinnirodhanam”
“This says
that air (“Vayu”) in the physical body is “Prana” and controlling prana is
pranayama.
Another Hatha Yoga
script “Gorksha shataka” verse 42 says as follows,
“Prano
dhehasthitho vayurayamastha nibhandanam”
This also says
that air in the physical body is “Prana” and controlling of prana is pranayama
and hence retention of air is pranayama.
Prana assumes
various names in various fields according to Gheranda Samhitha in 5:60 says as
follows,
“Pranopanah
samanaschodhanavyanau thathaivacha, naga kurmascha krikaro devadutho
dhananjayah”
The different
types of major air (Prana) are Prana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Udana
Vayu and Vyana Vayu. There are minor Air (“Vayu”) present in the other
parts of the body are Naga Vayu, Kurma Vayu, Krikara Vayu, Devadutha Vayu
and Dhananjaya Vayu.
In yoga
"air" is called "prana" and manifests in 5 main basic
dimensions. It has 5 other minor forms which are very complex. These basic
forms have different functions in the human mechanism.
The “Vital Pranas”
are defined in Gheranda Samhitha in 5:61-62 says the following,
“Hridhi prano
vahennithamapano ghudhamandale samano nabhidheshe thu udhanah kandhamadhyagah
vyano vyapa shareere thu pradhanah pancha vyavavah”
This means that
prana flows in the chest area, apana in the anal area, samana in the navel
area, udhana in the throat area and vyana is spread throughout the body.
There are other
Air (“Vayu”) that are present in our body mainly in the areas of skin and bones
with not very high intensity, they are defined in
“Dharshana
Upanishad” 4:30 are the follows,
“Nagadhivayavah
pancha thwagasthadishu samsthidhah”
These names are Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadutha and Dhananjaya.