Pranayama - Breathe on Purpose

Anecdotal Anatomy

This episode focuses on the fourth limb of Yoga which is Pranayama (breath control). In Yoga, breath work is designed to maximize the life-force in the body through various breathing techniques.

These techniques are said to help reduce anxiety, balance emotions, clarify the mind, create the causes & conditions to open to gratitude and more peaceful feelings. Some techniques warm the body and others cool it down. Like everything else in Yoga (and life) there is no one size fits all and there’s something for everybody!

While the autonomic nervous system keeps the breath flowing without our assistance, once we breathe consciously, we can begin to direct our energies from the inside-out. B.K.S. Iyengar describes Pranayama as conscious breathing, not just deep breathing.

Theresa offers an opening practice to set the tone and to reveal the power of the breath, experientially, before the hosts move into more anecdotal, scientific, and academic definitions. In fact, it isn’t until the end of the episode that the hosts define Pranayama.

Once something is defined, it may limit our understanding of the thing if we get stuck in the description. Notice your breath as you listen.

Breathe on purpose!

Sources from the show:

• Ed Harrold
• The Ultimate Guide To Breathing
• Prevention and Protection
• 8 Types of Pranayama Breathing and Their Benefits
• Breath Mastery Modern Techniques and Ancient Rituals

Mentioned:

• Gary Kraftsow
• B.K.S. Iyengar
• Robert Peng (Qigong)
• James Nestor’s book, Breath

Our Amazing Team:

Judith George - Editor (video & audio)

Keith Kenny - Music

Cindy Fatsis - Photography