Pranayama - never underestimate the power of your breath

After being diagnosed with a heart condition I didn't really react or feel any differently. It sunk in a year or so later when I suffered from a serious episode ending up in hospital and having to go through many tests for the following year. I will talk more about this in time.

I'm very lucky that currently my condition is regulated and stable. But it required dedication and perseverance to changing my lifestyle and adopting new healing techniques.

I have tried many over the years, which I'm gradually writing about and uploading on here for others to try. I thought I would start with the technique that made the biggest and long-term impact on my life and one that took a lot of patience. ... Pranayama

When people hear the the word pranayama they think it's some form of intense chanting, perhaps an Indian curry or a super crazy yoga pose and so they stay well away.

It's none of the above, but in fact a wonderful healing therapy for the body and mind.

The definition is 'control of breath'. 'Prana' means vital energy in the body and 'ayama' means control.

By controlling the rhythms of our breath we can achieve a healthy body and mind. There are many types of pranayama, all of which have numerous benefits.

The two types that I am going to speak about are Bhramari pranayama (DeepTide definition = bee breath) and Bhastrika pranayama (D.T. definition = snake breath).

Bhramari pranayama:

Steps:

1. Sit up straight in meditation pose or a comfortable seated position and press your tragus (little middle flap of your ear) with your thumb
2. Place Index fingers on your eyebrows
3. Other fingers below your eyes and close eyes
4. Inhale deeply through both nostrils
5. Keeping mouth closed, exhale making a humming sound like a bee. (side note: great pranayama for kids yoga) Hmmmmmmmm. Say a soft 'Om' through your hum

Time = 3-5 minutes daily

Benefits:

• Relieves tension and anxiety
• Helps control blood pressure
• Calms the mind

I learnt about this breathing technique from a nurse in a waiting room before an appointment. I went home and researched it and that's how I then discovered Bhastrika pranayama, my second technique.

Bhastrika pranayama:

Steps:

1. Sit comfortably
2. Take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs
3. Exhale making a hissing sound like a snake (also great for kids yoga)
4. Inhale again deeply and exhale completely

Time = 2-5 minutes

Benefits:

• Improves circulation
• Relieves heart abnormalities (hence the blog post!)
• Improves concentration
• Relieves stress

My Story:

I had been practicing yoga (asana) and meditation long before I got diagnosed with a heart condition, but had never really dabbled in pranayama. To be honest I was not sure how breathing techniques would have a big impact on my life. We all use pranayama in our daily lives without really knowing it. E.g in times of sickness, stress, anger, nerves etc, we take deep breaths to calm us. But honestly, spending a few moments focusing and being really mindful of your breath control works miracles.

After that conversation in the hospital waiting room with the nurse I went home to my university halls room and spent a few minutes reading and then a few minutes breathing.

I found it very difficult to begin with. I felt light headed, dizzy and lost my sight a little. I regained control and kept reading about the potential benefits of pranayama. 

I continued to practice now and again and then eventually pranayama became part of my daily routine. 

I started to use pranayama in times of difficulty, I.e having palpitations in a lecture, a few years later when feeling faint on the tube or in moments of high stress. I would close my eyes or look down and go through the steps. Being able to control the power of my breath I can confidently say has prevented what could have been many difficult and dangerous situations for my health.

Not only do i believe that pranayama led to the strength of my heart in recent years but also reduced the stress and anxiety that comes with dealing with the condition.

It's now been 6 years or so since that conversation with the nurse. In that time I've qualified as a yoga teacher, advanced my studies on pranayama to run workshops and am now travelling the world to hopefully help others master new techniques.

Never underestimate the power of breath.

If in doubt... just breathe!

This was a brief introduction to Pranayama and how it's helped me. If you would like more information on pranayama, want to attend a workshop or have any questions please email me (see bottom of page).