/ Pranayama
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Breathwork is a fundamental practice in the world of Kundalini Yoga. Before we delve into its countless benefits and how to get started, we should first look at the terminology: prana and pranayama. Within this guide, we will take a look at these two sacred words.
Prana is the Source of Life Itself
Prana plays a fundamental role in creation. You may refer to it as a life force or the vital energy. As you start your Kundalini Yoga journey, you will learn that there is a wealth of power within a single breath. As you inhale and exhale, everything around you begins.
Put simply, the Sanskrit word ‘prana’ means a force in constant motion. If you think about it on a deep level, that is exactly what breathing is. When you are first born, you take one long breath in. When you leave this world, you will ultimately release that breath out.
Of course, science explains pranic energy in a more methodical way. The technical way to understand this magnificent force is as ‘a combination of electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, photonic, ocular, thermal and mental energies.’
Each of us has a different amount of prana which is present from the moment that we come into existence. Everything that happens to us while we are alive — from the food that we eat to the thoughts that we think — has an impact on this energy.
When the prana moves within you, it can have a profound and almost magical impact on your mental state. That in itself is something that you can transform when you start to take mastery over your pranic energy through Kundalini Yogic practices.
The more attention you pay to your prana, the more in-tune you can become with it. You may be able to change your mind, your thoughts, and how you feel. One of the ways to do that is to engage in a series of transformative and effective breathwork.
Pranayama Expands the Force
If you’re ready to dedicate yourself to expanding your pranic energy, you will need to learn about pranayama. Also known as breathwork, this is the practical way that you start to guide the energy and change it to work for you. While that in itself may sound complex, it doesn’t have to be. You can learn simple and effective practices to add to your routine.
The act of pranayama dates back more than 4,000 years and is thought to have originated in India. During the pre-Buddhist era, many of the great writers referred to pranayama techniques that can be used to change your mindset. Fast-forward to the modern day, and yogis around the world now know the value of this particular practice.
Conclusion
Now that you know what prana and pranayama mean, you can use them in your everyday routine. Using breathwork to your best advantage will help you enhance all aspects of your life. Take the time to engage in breathwork and make this ancient tool work for you.
See more: Learn the Meditative Breathing Practice: Sitali Pranayama
