Prānāyāma Vinyāsa Krama

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Prana is the unmanifest energy of consciousness that permeates the universe and the manifest force of creation.  Prana is our life force and pranayama (life force expansion and control/regulation) is the practice of building, moving and directing that energy via the breath using the concentration of the mind - as the breath is one of the 3 sources of (prana) vital energy in the body and a bridge between the body and mind.  As our thoughts effect our breathing patterns (and prana) we can also control our thoughts by our conscious breath.  Where the mind goes prana goes.  When we breath consciously we are bringing our senses inward, guiding and controlling the prana which produces calmness, stillness, and effects us on subtle levels influencing our psychic and spiritual state which brings us to higher states of awareness - our pranic breath has inner wisdom and has subtle effects on our consciousness.  

​Pranayama was developed by highly advanced yogis through their inquiry and experimentation and connection to higher beings.  They discovered through various methods of conscious breath control (controlling the prana), how it affected the physical, mental and subtle bodies for purification and to access higher states of consciousness.   Pranayama (and advanced pranayama) with concentration methods exist amongst the many yogic traditions - serving specific purposes.  There are many techniques, systems and lineages and mantra was originally always used with pranayama.  Techniques include using the conscious breath/prana for purification, awakening & guiding the prana in certain energy coordinates - with the use of  churning & isolating muscles, bandha, mudra, mantra, nada, and bodily postures as well as conception.  Higher yogic practices guide and focus the energy in the sushumna nadi (spinal channel) and specific energy centers. The Bandhas, Bodily Mudras and ​Kumbhaka are important elements to assist in unlocking potential and energy for our spiritual progress.  The kumbhaka (pause/gap/retention) of breath assimilates the prana and stills the mind.  The highest stage of pranayama is breathlessness or kevala kumbhaka, where the breath is naturally suspended without any effort and the yogi is in a state of absorption or samadhi.  

As pranayama is the doorway to accessing higher states of consciousness, pranayama practices also play an essential role for a healthy body and mind.  When practiced correctly and consciously it has many benefits.  It helps reduce stress and tension, purifies the energy channels (nadis), strengthen respiratory muscles, oxygenates the blood, increases blood flow to the brain, calms the mind and nervous system, cleanses toxins, helps digestion and strengthens immunity.   Known to increase neuroplasticity, nitric oxide, and erase old mental and emotional patterns.   When using bandhas and cleansing kriyas the internal organs also get massaged and toned.  

The ancient texts that present pranayama techniques are not meant to be practiced without proper context, guidance, preparation and relationship to the method & process involved to their application.  Texts  only give basic guidelines and do not reveal the depth or more intricacies of the practices.  Ancient yogic lineages in India and Tibet hold the wisdom and secrets to applying the techniques per tradition and deciphering sanskrit versus.  One needs to study with a lineage to correctly apply any yogic technique.  Pranayama techniques may be unsafe or cause discomfort if not correctly understood and taught by a knowledgeable teacher.  There are different levels of pranayama practices.  What we learn from teachers is different from what is taught through a Satguru.   Pranayama, especially kumbhaka, is a very important aspect of traditional hatha yoga as well as the shatkarmas, bandha, mudra, nada and aligned diet & lifestyle.

The wisdom and science of yoga has been kept alive for thousands of years by ancient yogic lineages.  Modern science has been researching aspects of this wisdom and has recognized their benefits to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.  Yogic breathing is now being acknowledged to positively affect our consciousness and health.  Many diseases and imbalances can be linked to improper breathing and our stressful lifestyle - and the power of the breath and it's healing properties are getting more recognized throughout the world.  As the breath is getting more attention and new "breath" practices emerge, let's not forget the origin of breath science.  This science is distinct and has been transmitted by perfected beings who have transcended the mind through meditative insight and higher knowledge, not human intellect. 

In the Yoga Vinyasa Krama system, pranayama is the essential element and the heart of the method, used both in movement and seated practices (Vinyasa is traditionally defined as a breathing system).   Pranayama and all yogic techniques are meant to be applied as a daily discipline.   I emphasize establishing a daily practice.

Pranayama should not be limited to just well-being or to be used as just a wellness hack. Not a quick fix or forceful temporary cathartic experience, but taught as a safe and gradual process requiring discipline & consistency.    It is best to learn pranayama through a knowledgeable teacher who has been practicing for a long time, who understands the process through experience.  

Pranayama is a very important aspect of yoga (traditionally for hatha yoga - hatha yoga is the uniting and stilling of prana - hatha yoga is defined as pranayama, especially kumbhaka).  When yoga became popular and mainstream worldwide, it mostly emphasized the physical aspects and pranayama was not commonly taught by popular teachers.  Now as more attention is being given to the breath, pranayama has become an "add on" and is often being taught with little training and without the daily integration to teach from experience.  It may be taught very casually and incorrectly by yoga teachers, ayurvedic practitioners, psychotherapists, health professionals, school teachers, etc who do not understand the proper details, guidelines, application, process, context & relationship to the yogic system.  Modern breathwork practices that are not related or aligned with yoga are also getting mixed into yogic teaching.  Additionally, advanced techniques are being exploited & sensationalized and taught incorrectly, without the proper context, preparation, guidance, diet & lifestyle needed.   Some of the modern breathwork practices as well as the exploited advanced pranayama techniques can be very dangerous and cause physical, mental & emotional disturbances.   It's best to use discernment and learn from someone who has transparency.

Learn extensive practices gradually within the vinyasa krama system - Cleansing kriyas, Himalayan Pranayama including including Ujjayi Variations, Heating & Cooling Breaths, Solar, Lunar & Soli-Lunar Nadi Shuddhi practices, Samantraka Pranayama,  Kumbhaka & Bandha (breath holds and internal locks), Mudra, Pratyahara.  Includes Pranava techniques for  merging with the vibration and sound of Om and Nada - internal sound current.
 

"Pranayama is the inner fire ceremony, purifying our thoughts, mind and life" - Paramahamsa Prajnananda