Diaphragmatic breathing: ![]() In diaphragmatic breathing upper chest and lower abdomen remains motionless or still, use of these two can cause bad breath and other problems. So diaphragmatic breathing helps to attain this motionlessness in these two parts. This is a self-training program and nobody can teach the procedure. The simple procedure is- one has to breath with the diaphragm allowing the ribs to slightly flare out to the sides, while the shoulders, upper chest and abdomen remain motionless. Then should breath smoothly without any disturbance in the steady flow and breath slowly within comfortable capacity with sufficient air and no straining. The breath should flow continuously without any pause between exhalation and inhalation and visa versa. When the practice is comfortable one should allow the exhalation to be twice as long as the inhalation. The one biggest problem in learning diaphragmatic breathing is to know where is it located. Belly breathing, chest breathing, and shoulder breathing are simply not diaphragmatic breathing. One of the main problems with all forms of breath training, whether for meditation or clinical reasons, seems to be a misunderstanding of the location of the diaphragm. Part from the process of the successful awakening of the Kundalini diaphragmatic breathing has also been acknowledged by the modern medicine. Modern medicine has finally recognized that the breath is intimately connected to the autonomous nervous system and the mind. Agni breath or breath of fire: Breath of Fire is a breathing exercise where one should inhale and exhale rapidly through the nose without pausing, and pump the navel point while using the abdomen as a bellows. This can be taught after long deep breathing or diaphragmatic breathing. This is also an important breathing technique of Kundalini Yoga. Breath of Fire will entirely charge the nervous system, causing the glands to secrete and purify the blood. When it is done with certain postures and movements, which are meant to put contracting or expanding pressure in nerve plexuses and glandular centers, those areas are made to fire and therefore become completely charged. As an area becomes charged, the sexual fluids are released into the bloodstream and flow to those charged areas, so that gradually those areas will maintain that charge and "pranic" pressure builds throughout the body converting Bindu to Ojas, which fills and permeates the entire body and mind. Over a period of few weeks of sets and kriyas combining posture, movement, breath, sound and locks, the entire body will begin to feel magnetically electric, as the field becomes balanced with an inward dynamo-like force. As this charge builds and polarizes, the mind becomes still, clear and bright, and a radiance is felt in and around the body and head. Solar and lunar breaths: The breath and the underlying energy, or Prana, usually flow predominantly on one side or other, the left or the right. Breath mainly in the left nostril is described as cool, and sometimes referred to as feminine. It is the lunar one, and is called Ida. Breath flowing predominantly in the right nostril is described as hot, and sometimes referred to as masculine. This breath flow on the right is the solar, and is called Pingala. Spinal breath: ![]() Walking breath: This is a wonderful practice that can be done in daily life, it integrates body, breath and mind. One can count internally with exhalation and inhalation while walking. By virtue of this internal breathing breath becomes even, body and breath synchronizes and automatically mind synchronizes with the body and breath. To find the right and comfortable pace and in association with the speed of walking is important in this type. This practice can easily be done when you are walking even 1-2 minutes from one place to another. Alternate nostril breathing: ![]() To control the flow of breath, one usually begins by using their fingers to block off one nostril so as to allow the other to flow and visa versa. This cycle will be repeated several times. One easy method of this practice is to exhale and inhale from one nostril five times and then from the other, which is called a 'round'. This physical act affects on the autonomic nervous system, and allows one to become "centered. Both nostrils flow smoothly and mind becomes relaxed. (Last Updated on : 09-12-2010) |
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