1.7 Concept And Principles Of Pranayama Flashcards
Define Pranayama in terms of the meanings of its root words
Prana - vital force
Ayama - to stretch or expand
It is a process by which the internal pranic store is increased.
What are the elements of pranayama?
Puraka (Inhalation)
Rechaka (Exhalation)
Kumbhaka (Retention)
Antara Kumbhaka (Internal Retention)
Bahya Kumbhaka (External Retention)
Kevala Kumbhaka (A transcendental Kumbhaka, which occurs spontaneously through the regular practice of pranayama).
What are the three main types of breathing?
Diaphragmatic
Thoracic
Clavicular
Which mudra (s) complement Diaphragmatic breathing
Dhyana or Chin
What is sectional breathing?
Sectional breathing describes focusing the breathing into one of three sections of the torso, either diaphragmatic, abdominal, and clavicular breathing.
What mudra (s) complement Thoracic breathing?
Chinmayi mudra
What mudra (s) complement Clavicular breathing?
Adi mudra
Explain the full yogic breath
A full yogic breath involves all three types of breathing. The movements during the breathing are no longer separated.
One full yoga breath includes one smooth, continuous flow of breath in and out, involving non-jerky movements of the abdomen, chest, and collarbone.
Imagine filling the water in a pot. As we pour in the water, the bottom of the pot gets filled at first. While emptying the pot, the bottom of the pot gets emptied last.
WHich asana is appropriate for performing full yogic breath?
Sukhasana
Padmasana
Vajrasana
Which mudra is appropriate for the full yogic breath?
Bhairavi or
Bhairava
What is an alternate term for Nadi Shodhan Pranayama?
Anuloma Viloma
Nadi Shodhan Pranayama is mentioned separately from Pranayama/Kumbhaka in HYP. Why is this?
Both texts say that before the practitioner begins the pranayama / Kumbhakas, one should clean the Nadis by Nadi Shodhan Pranayama.
According to GS, in which direction should one face to perform Nadi Shodhan Pranayam?
East or North
How many Nadis are said to be in the body? Which three are the most important?
72,000
Ida
Pingala
Sushumna
The left nostril nadi, representing the feminine, or moon side is called
Ida
The right nostril nadi, representing the masculine or sun is called
Pingala
The ____________nadi originates from the tailbone and rises up through the spinal cord.
Sushumna
What is the most suggested asana for Nadi Shodhana?
Padmasana
What is the basic ratio for Puraka:Kumbhaka:Rechaka?
1:4:2
What is the usual ratio count for Nadi Shodhana per HYP?
4:16:8
What is the maximum count for Nadi Shodhaha per HYP?
20:80:40
What is the breath count ratio for Bahya Kumbhak?
1:4:2:3
What is the maximum breath count ratio for Bayha Kumbhak?
20:80:40:60
What are the two forms of Nadi Shodhana per GS?
Samanu and Nirmanu
Describe Samanu Nadi Shodhana
Samanu- This is done with the Beeja mantra.
First, inhale through the left nostril while chanting the beej mantra for Vayu “yam” 16 times then hold your breath in (Antah-Kumbhaka) while chanting the “Yam” 64 times and exhale through the right nostril while chanting “yam” 32 chants.
Now inhale through the right nostril while chanting the Beeja mantra for fire “ram”, 16 times, then hold your breath while chanting the “ram” 64 times and exhale through the left nostrils while chanting “ram” 32 times.
Then think of the moon on the tip of the nose and inhale again through the left nostril while chanting “Tham” 16 times, then hold the breath in for 64 chants of “Vam” and exhale through the right while chanting “Lam” 32 times.
What is Nirmanu?
Cleaning the Nadis with Dhauti karma
In Nadi Shodhan, we always begin with the __________ nostril. Why?
Left
Left nostril breathing energizes Ida Nadi or lunar energy which brings coldness and anabolic effects to the body.
What are the 8 types of Pranayama or Kumbhaka according to HYP?
Surya Bheda
Ujjayi
Seetkari
Sheetali
Bhastrika
Bhramri
Moorchha
Plavini
What are the 8 types of pranayama according to GS?
Sahita
Sagarbha Kumbhaka- With Beejmantra Nigarbha Kumbhaka- Without Beejmantra
Surya Bhedana
Ujjayi
Sheetali
Bhastrika
Bhramri
Moorchha
Kevali
Chale- Vatam- Chale- Chittam- Nishchale- Nishchalam- Bhavet |
Yogi- Sthanutvam- Apnoti - Tato- Vayum- Nirodhyet ||HYP||
When prana moves, Chitta (the mental force) moves, When prana is without movement, Chitta is without movement. By this (steadiness of prana) the yogi attains steadiness and should thus restrain the Vayu.
