Pranayama is derived from two Sanskrit words – “Prana” and “Ayama”. “Prana” means breath, life, vitality, air, power or energy. “Ayama” denotes extension, abstinence, regulation, control or restraint. Thus Pranayama is the act of control of respiration and an attempt to control the flow of “Prana” or vital force in the human body.<\/p>\n
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Stages of Pranayama<\/p>\n
Pranayama consists of four stages:-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 The “Puraka” or Inhalation Phase: Long, slowly controlled and sustained flow of inhalation.
\n\u25a1 The “Kumbhaka” or Breath-holding phase: Controlled suspension and retention of breath after inhalation.
\n\u25a1 The “Rechaka” or Exhalation Phase: Long, slow and controlled exhalation.
\n\u25a1 “Shunyaka” or End of Breathing: Breath-holding after exhalation.<\/p>\n
Benefits of Pranayama in Allergy<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Pranayama combats and cures allergy by cleansing the nose, nasal sinuses and respiratory passages of allergic substances like pollen, dust and other toxic substances.
\n\u25a1 Pranayama improves the function of the lungs by increased oxygenation of blood vessels of the lungs as well as all parts of the body.
\n\u25a1 It increases the capacity of the lungs to inhale and exhale air.
\n\u25a1 Breath-holding can train the body to tolerate low oxygen levels as seen while climbing the mountains.
\n\u25a1 The blood supply to the heart and brain is improved by Pranayama.
\n\u25a1 It enhances the concentration of mind and improves the relaxation of the body.
\n\u25a1 The digestive system is toned up due to improved blood supply and pressure of the diaphragm on the abdominal organs. This is very beneficial for all individuals with food allergy. Moreover, the toxic substances are removed from the digestive tract.<\/p>\n
Pranayama Useful for Treatment of Allergy<\/p>\n
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama or Anuloma Viloma, Bhastrika, Suryabhedi and Ujjayi are very beneficial for treatment of allergy and produce long-lasting results.<\/p>\n
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama or Anuloma-Viloma<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Sit in any comfortable meditative posture, preferably Padmasana, keeping the head and spine upright.
\n\u25a1 Close the eyes, relax the body and breathe freely for some time.
\n\u25a1 Rest the index and middle fingers gently in the centre of eyebrows, and the thumb and ring finger above the right and left nostrils respectively. These two fingers control the flow of breath in the nostrils by alternately pressing on one nostril and blocking the flow of Fig. Nadi Shodhana breath and then the other. ThisPranayama is the Nasikagra Mudra.<\/p>\n
Step-I<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Close the right nostril with the thumb and breathe in through the left nostril, mentally counting 1,2,3. Similarly, close the left nostril with the ring finger, releasing pressure of thumb on the right nostril and breathe out, mentally counting 1,2,3. The time for inhalation and exhalation should be equal.
\n\u25a1 Repeat the procedure by inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left one. This makes up one round. Ten rounds are to be practised.
\n\u25a1 Slowly increase the counting up to 12:12 for inhalation\/exhalation. This is followed by changing the ratio to 1:2, i.e., breathe in for count 5 and breathe out for count 10 adding up to ratio 12:24.<\/p>\n
Step-II<\/p>\n
After mastering step I, this step should be practised :-<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Close the right nostril and inhale through the left nostril for a count of 5. After this, close both nostrils and retain air in the lungs for a count of 5. Then, open the right nostril, breathe in slightly and slowly breathe out for a count of 5.
\n\u25a1 This is repeated by inhaling from the right nostril, retaining and breathing out from the left side. Repeat 10 rounds.
\n\u25a1 Increase the ratio from 1:1:1 for inhalation, retention and exhalation to 1:1:2, then 1:2:2, 1:3:2 and 1:4:2.<\/p>\n
Step-III<\/p>\n
\u25a1 In this step, inhalation is started from the left nostril as above, followed by retention (breath-holding) and exhalation from right nostril, which is also followed by breath-holding.
\n\u25a1 The procedure is also repeated as above by inhalation from the right nostril and 10 rounds are completed.
\n\u25a1 The ratio is started as above 1:1:1:1 and increased to 1:4:2:2 and duration is also increased from a count of 5 to the maximum limit where comfortable.<\/p>\n
Precautions<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Breathing should be free flowing and never forced.
\n\u25a1 Breathing should never be done through the mouth.
\n\u25a1 This technique of Pranayama is best done under the guidance of an expert.
\n\u25a1 If there is any sign of discomfort, the procedure should be discontinued.
\n\u25a1 The best time to practise is early in the morning after the asanas.
\n\u25a1 The duration of this Pranayama should be about 10-15 minutes daily comprising 5-10 rounds.
\n\u25a1 Patients suffering from hypertension and heart disease must avoid breath-holding in this Pranayama.<\/p>\n
Bhastrika Pranayama<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Sit in any comfortable meditative posture with hands resting on the knees in Gyana Mudra.
\n\u25a1 Keep the head and spine straight, close the eyes and relax the whole body.
\n\u25a1 Using Nasikagra Mudra close the right nostril with the thumb.
\n\u25a1 Breathe in and out forcefully, without straining through the left nostril, about 10 times. The abdomen should expand and contract rhythmically with the breath.
\n\u25a1 Now close the left nostril and breathe rapidly and forcefully through the right nostril.
\n\u25a1 Similarly, breathing can be done through both the nostrils simultaneously.
\n\u25a1 At the end of each procedure, breath-holding may be done for up to 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
Precautions<\/p>\n
\u25a1 During Bhastrika, only the abdomen should move and not the chest or shoulders.
\n\u25a1 The breathing sound should only appear from the abdomen and not the throat or chest.
\n\u25a1 If there is a feeling of giddiness, vomiting or excessive perspiration, Bhastrika should be stopped.
\n\u25a1 Violent respiration, facial contortions and excessive shaking of the body should be avoided.
\n\u25a1 Bhastrika should not be practised by people suffering from hypertension, heart disease, duodenal ulcer, hernia, stroke, epilepsy or vertigo.
\n\u25a1 Neti may be practised if there is blockage of nostrils with mucus.<\/p>\n
Ujjayi Pranayama<\/p>\n
Technique<\/p>\n
\u25a1 Sit in any comfortable meditative posture.
\n\u25a1 Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
\n\u25a1 Inhale slowly and deeply through both the nostrils with a low, uniform frictional sound through the glottis and expand the chest naturally.
\n\u25a1 Hold the breath for some time.
\n\u25a1 Then exhale through both the nostrils.
\n\u25a1 Relax the chest for a few seconds after going into the next round.
\n\u25a1 Practise for 10-20 minutes. Precautions
\n\u25a1 Care should be taken to see that the abdomen does not bulge out during inspiration.
\n\u25a1 Breath-holding should not be done by patients of heart disease.
\n\u25a1 Do not contract the throat or facial muscles strongly.
\n\u25a1 People with spondylitis or slipped disc can practise it in Vajrasana or Makarasana.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pranayama is derived from two Sanskrit words – “Prana” and “Ayama”. “Prana” means breath, life, vitality, air, power or energy. “Ayama” denotes extension, abstinence, regulation, control or restraint. Thus Pranayama is the act of control of respiration and an attempt to control the flow of “Prana” or vital force in the human body.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-allergy-cure"],"yoast_head":"\n