The Fire oF Yoga - Breath, Pranayama, Yoga

The Fire of Yoga nPranayama – Breath Yogann The human torso is like a fiery furnace, transforming energies of one form into another. As with all fires, oxygen is needed; and the more oxygen the stronger the fire. The diaphragm muscle is like a bellows drawing in oxygen and forcing out the “ash of carbon dioxide” (gas residue from oxygen exchange). At the cellular level, the oxygen fuels the cells’ work, whatever that may be. And if all the millions of cells having optimum oxygen intake, they have optimum conditions for their work. If there is little oxygen there is little fire. And if the bellows is not properly working carbon dioxide may not be pushed out completely; and this hampers fresh oxygen intake. n For those who believe in the subtle energies of the chakras, the torso holds four of the chakras. A torso expanded by focused breathing opens the chakras energies. The fiery furnace is now capable of spiritual alchemies and releasing the “coiled up” energy of Kundalini, one of the greatest energies humans can access.n To leave Focused Breathing/Opening Chakras, Breath Yoga, out of any other form of Yoga is to place all the burnable items in place for a fire and yet not provide the oxygen. There will be no flame without oxygen no matter how many times a match is lit, or a spark is attempted. When focused breathing brings in optimum oxygen and the expanded torso opens chakras, vital energies are brought into whatever form of yoga is engaged.n Almost all knowledge used for Breathing Mastery comes from yogic writings on Pranayama. “Prana” is generally accepted to mean “energy.” Metabolic, Chakra, and Kundalini energy can be included in the “prana.” “Ayama” is the more difficult word to accurately define. To “expand”, “lengthen”, “control”, “restrain”, or “prolong,” are words that have been used in connection with ayama. Western medicine contributes knowledge that helps better define which terms might best describe ayama. Science has found that “holding” one’s breath immediately increases an imbalance between oxygen and carbon dioxide. The level of carbon dioxide immediately increases as it cannot be released through the exhalation. Cells immediately are damaged or die cells by the lack of oxygen. With this understanding, the terms “expand,” “lengthen,” and “prolong,” rather than “restrain” or “retain” probably would be the most appropriate. So ayama is “expanding” breathing is to use more of the lung capacity for oxygen exchange; and “lengthening” and “prolonging” breathing is to have more time for the oxygen exchange. n Almost all people without training tend toward “shallow” breathing, with more breaths per minute than medically recommended. The accepted average “breaths per minute” for men is 12-14, and for women 14-15. A person who breathes with rapid and/or shallow breaths can reduce these to the average with even minimal training. And people with average breath rates can drop to 30-50 percent of the average -- without using the harmful restraint or retention. One key to Breath Yoga is: Use more lung space over time. n Another key to Pranayama, Breath Yoga, is “balancing.” “Balancing” is such an important concept in all life, the ying/yang. In breathing, ying can be considered the inhalation – bringing in oxygen. The yang is exhalation, the releasing or expelling of carbon dioxide. Long deep inhales with shorter and lesser exhales throw the balance off, and does more harm than good. Consciously focusing on pulling down the diaphragm and expanding the rib cage so the lungs can fill better is wonderful only if you also focus on feeling the diaphragm “push” (relax back) into bottom of rib cage, and that the rib cage constricts to help “push” carbon dioxide back out. To ensure that you have the balance, slightly increase the number you count for exhales relative to inhales. If you count to four for inhaling, count to 5-6 for exhaling. This will ensure that you have a good balance.n “Soul Yoga” is a music cd put out by Pheo Rose and Mystic Rose Music that has been specifically composed for Breath, Pranayama, Yoga. The music is neither particularly eastern nor western. It has been carefully composed to facilitate “stoking the fire” of energy within the human body. And each piece of music has a specific place:n “Chiki” is to arouse the “core” or “central energy” through aerobic movements and/or breathing. This piece is to get the oxygen flowing with more power. “Dojo’s Way” focuses the often fragmented and scattered consciousness. Consciousness is a powerful force when directed and focused. To maintain an unbroken focus on breathing, consciousness needs to be brought into a single focus. Following the instrumental “voices” coming in and out will provide this focus sharpening. “Slow Breathing” begins the focused breathing work. Lengthening and deepening the breathing cycle is best accomplished by the visualization of “circle breathing” -- drawing the oxygen in and down the front of the torso to the base of the spine; and the circling back to the base of the spine and exhaling up the spine around the back of the head and out. A graphic showing this is in the cd program notes.n The next two pieces, “Kamu Chakras” and “Maku Chakras”, use the circle breathing while focusing on expanding the chakras. “Kamu Chakras” uses music frequencies to open each Chakra. Higher notes are used for the head and throat chakras; mid range notes for the chest and solar plexus chakras, and deeper note ranges for the base chakras. With “Maku Chakras” the base chakras are focused upon to begin with (nice deep music notes for this), and then while holding in focus these chakras, each chakra is opened and held in focus. The last piece, “Waves of Bliss”, is 23 minutes of enjoying the exquisite “place” of being “one” with (totally focused on) the torso fully expanded and “aflame” with oxygen, generating the full spectrum of energies.n Breath Yoga may sound simple, but like all of yoga, the simple takes years to fully develop. And, the goal is not just physical efficiency, but “Self realization.” (In the West, we tend to use the term “Soul realization.”) All Yoga is to unite the ego self with the Greater Self or Soul. And, anyone can, regardless of physical limitations, receive the benefits of yoga through Breath Yoga or Pranayama.n Give yourself a good and solid tool like Soul Yoga which gives you an enjoyable musical experience and teacher. It is recommended you buy the cd from CD Baby as many of the musical pieces are longer than what digital downloads provide. Also, in purchasing the cd, you will receive the excellent program notes. n