Asana and Pranayama
“Much more important than these outer manifestations is the way we feel the postures and the breath.”
Asana = posture. As = to stay, to be, to sit, to be established in a position
Pranayama = Control of prana using the breath to help still the mind
I feel that I can’t discuss Asana and Pranayama separately. An asana practice was developed in order to improve the bodily functions and health in order to be able to sit for longer in meditation. Practicing pranayama or breath control during an asana practice allows us to find a calm state while moving into, staying in and moving out of an asana/pose.
Patanjali’s sutras 2.46-2.52 discuss the practice of asana and pranayama.
Desikachar in ‘The Heart of Yoga’ discusses the integration of the body, breath and mind. All three seem like separate entities but in yoga (union/yolking) we integrate them to find peace and wellness. When our mind is stressed our breath rate increases and we experience bodily tension. When the mind is calm, the breath rate slows and the body relaxes. In reverse order we can practice yoga postures to relax the body, breathwork to slow and deepen the breath and as a result the mind will become calm. The calming of the mind improves our perception of the self and others, improves our responses to life’s inevitable obstacles/struggles and keeps us in union with our authenticity.
Prana is considered an energy or life force. Known in China as Chi, Japan as Ki, Polynesia as Mana, in Christianity as Holy Spirit and in Hebrew as Ruach. Pamela Seeling in ‘Threads of Yoga’ reminds us that like electricity it is unseen but can be harnessed for our benefit.
Pranayama examples:
-Ujayi (ocean breath/ throat breath)
-Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing)
-Sitali (cooling breath)
-Kapalabhati (breath of fire)
-Bhastrika (bellow breath)
When I practice yoga asanas and pranayama I am reminded of my ability to learn on the mat what I need to take with me into the world. A physical posture and breath practice can teach a person self control, self compassion/kindness, love of the self, resilience, calming the mind and body during the experience of tension and fear of falling, managing ego and ambition and so much more. Sometimes a physical practice will alert us to darker aspects of ourselves. For example when I first practiced yoga I realised that my inner voice was not very kind to myself. We are all a work in progress because of life’s circumstances and yoga is one way to come back to the self that we truly are.
“Modern life can encourage separating the mind from the body. We intellectualize; we deny painful physical, mental and emotional feelings; and we discount our intuitive, gut responses. If we live in a way that compartmentalizes the mind from the body, our health will inevitably suffer ”
Resources and References:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali , Translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, 2019
The Heart of Yoga, Developing a Personal Practice, T.K.V Desikachar, 1995
Threads of Yoga by Pamela Seelig, 2021
