Breathing Benefits for Body and Mind
Pranayama, the practice of breath control in yoga, is essential for physical and mental balance, directly influencing the vital energy, or prana.
Main Techniques
Nadi Shodhana: alternate nostril breathing that calms and harmonizes the mind.
Kapalabhati: cleansing breath that stimulates metabolism and oxygenates tissues.
Ujjayi: victorious breath that promotes focus, concentration, and relaxation.
Breathing and the Body
Proper breathing regulates the central nervous system, alternating between states of activity and relaxation. Lower costal breathing is used during exercises, while diaphragmatic or full breathing is applied in meditation. It also maintains oxygen and carbon dioxide balance, regulates body pH, and increases vitality.
Benefits
Pranayama, combined with meditation and mindfulness, helps observe thoughts and emotions without identifying with them. Benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and burnout, increased well-being, self-confidence, and empathy, improved physical and mental health, and enhanced focus, memory, creativity, and resilience.
How to Practice
It can be performed sitting, lying down, or in a comfortable position, integrating body and mind, strengthening mental clarity and reaction capacity in facing daily challenges.
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