When someone says Pranayama, the most common translation in English you get is breathwork or breathing exercise, but that’s a complete misunderstanding of the essence of Pranayama. The word “Prana” means “the vital energy”, and “yama” means to gain control. Pranayama is a subtle process of gaining control over your viral energies.

Your Prana governs how your mind and body and your entire system functions. An individual’s prana is influenced by his or her karma; therefore, it works extraordinarily uniquely in every individual. Prana has an intelligence of its own.

The energy system is the most subtle and intricate part of a being. When there are obstructions in the flow of Prana, which can happen for any number of reasons ranging from trauma, negative spaces, karmic imprints, etc., you face all kinds of physical and mental health issues. Pranayama is a process or tool to cleanse the pathways (Nadis) through which your vital prana flows.

There are 5 types of Pranas that handle different mechanics of a human being. These are also known as Pancha(5) Vayus: Prana vayu, Samana vayu, Udana vayu, Apana vayu, and Vyana vayu. There are various practices in yoga through which one can take charge of these pancha or five vayus. Understanding how these five prana vayus behave in your system requires more than just physical attention and awareness.

Pranayama benefits

Once you master these pancha vayus, you become free of almost all psychological or mental health issues. Irrespective of your external circumstances, people, and situations around you, you always remain psychologically balanced to a great extent. However, it may not include infections or exposure to harmful chemicals.

On a gross level, Pranayama makes you physically and mentally alert.

It helps you move towards a higher experience of life and deeper inner dimensions.

Sadhguru says that Pranayama is a complete path to self-awareness. It prepares your body to become receptive towards receiving subtler experiences within yourself.

If you practice Pranayama, your energies become subtler and more sensitive within a short period of time, and your ability to experience life within and around you is greatly enhanced.

A simple practice of Nadi Shuddhi (which literally means cleansing of the nadis), can help you relieve anxiety, stress and psychological tension from your system. It brings balance to your thoughts, activities and emotions so that you can enjoy a deep sense of peace throughout the day.

How do you take charge of your Prana?

Sadhguru has prescribed the following practices that work remarkably with your Prana.

Nadi Shuddhi: There are 72,000 nadis or energy pathways in the human system. These 72,000 nadis are a branch out of the two basic nadis, Ida – the left side or feminine energy channel and Pingala – the right side or masculine energy channel. 36,000 branching out of Ida and 36,000 branching out of Pingala. This is the energy physiology of a human being. When we say Nadi Shuddhi, we’re fundamentally talking about cleansing Ida and Pingala so the energy system will work in balance. Nadi Shuddhi plays a very important role in bringing a certain degree of balance to your activity, your emotional and physical states, the results of your life, and the impact you have on other people’s lives.

Shakti Chalana Kriya: Shakti means energy, and Kriya means inner energy process. It is a powerful practice that enhances the flow of one’s Prana in the system. It is an intense, transformative process that strengthens your existence’s very foundation. Shakti Chalana Kriya and Shoonya meditation are taught together at Isha Yoga Centres. Continuous practice of Shakti Chalana Kriya and Shoonya meditation helps you to release physical, mental and emotional blocks.

Shambhavi Mahamudra: The practice of Shambhavi Mahamudra can build a strong foundation for exuberant and joyful living. Scientific evidence suggests that the cortisol awakening response is much higher in people who practice Shambhavi. It is also observed to increase the BDNF, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor responsible for neurological health, learning ability and memory. On a deeper level, however, Shambhavi is a tool to touch the very source of your creation. One of the most beautiful aspects of this practice is that it brings a different kind of calmness into your system, something that’s indescribable through words but can only be experienced.

I practice Shakti Chalana Kriya and Shambhavi Mahamudra daily, along with my other Hatha yoga practices. I can share from my experience (leaving the spiritual benefits aside) that the subtle changes these practices have brought into my life have made a huge difference in how I experience life, people and situations. When I am done with my practices, I remain calm in most situations, and my ability to focus on the present has improved evidently. Sometimes, it feels like I am meditating with my eyes open. My productivity has increased by at least 40%-50%; I get more done in less time now, and the tasks that would take me 6 to 7 hours to complete get completed in only 2-3 hours.

I hope this blog was insightful for you. Let me know if you’d like me to share or talk about more such topics.

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Until then… Shambho!!