Yogic Pranayama: Breathing For Long Life and Good Health

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

About the Book:

This is a complete one-of-its-kind book on the widely known yet little understood science and practice of yogic pranayama. Written specially for the common man, the book traces the origin of pranayama, explains and removes some of the common perceptions and misconceptions, discusses the significance of practice of pranayama in maintaining good health and, most important, explains in detail the practice of pranayama - the different components and varieties, the various asanas, bandhas, kriyas and mudras. The focus is practical, with each asana illustrated and each photograph accompanied with explanatory text.

The author describes Pranayama is detail and also the benefits. The importance of Pranayama for good health, mental clarity, prevention and cure of some diseases are explained adequately…details the causes of various diseases and gives pranayamic remedies in a capsule form"

Hindu

"A practical guide to good health. With extensive details the book is a very useful introduction to pranayama. Each asana is illustrated. Each picture is explained.

M.P. Chronicle

"There is no doubt about the benefits of Pranayama and its varieties, the accompanying illustrations are neatly and cleanly done."

Body & Beauty Care

"The book discusses in detail various disorders which can be cured by practicing pranayama along with other techniques such as asanas, kriyas, diet control and more active forms of exercise."

Bhavan's Journal

There is a separate section of how pranayam helps in recovery and restoration of good health and how the practice of different and specific asanas can speed up recovery from various ailments, aches, pains, postural defects, diabetes, obesity, stomach problems, piles, asthma, arthritis, gout, etc. With 60 Photographs.

CONTENTS

1.	What is Pranayama	9
	Pranayama is control of breath	11
	How did pranayama originate	13
	Why do we breathe at all	14
	Why should we control the breath	16
	What can pranayama do	18
2.	Misconceptions About Pranayama Removed	20
	Pranayama is not for the householder	20
	Pranayama is dangerous	22
	Pranayama should begin only after mastering yama, niyama, and asana	23
	Pranayama should be practised only after initiation	24
	Pranayama gives unusual powers	25
	Pranayama nullifies the effect of heat or cold	26
	Pranayama gives the capacity to hold the breath infinitely	27
	Pranayama prolongs life	28
	Beliefs regarding relation of pranayama with food	28
3.	Before Making a Beginning	30
	Proper arrangements for training	30
	Fitness of the student	32
	Age for starting pranayama	34
	For Both the Sexes	34
	Selection of the place	35
	What to wear	36
	Time of practice	36
	Diet and food habits	37
	Combination of pranayama with other activities	40
	Regularity of practice	40
	Measurement of time	41
	A clear nasal passage	42
	Preparing the seat	44
	Postures suitable for pranayama	44
	Sukhasana	45
	Vajrasana	46
	Swastikasana	46
	Siddhasana	47
	Padmasana	48
4.	How to Practise Pranayama	52
	Three components of pranayama	58
	Yukta pranayama	56
	Breathing through one nostril	58
	Making a beginning	60
	Introduction of kumbhaka (retention)	68
	Application of Bandhas (holds)	72
	Jivha Bandha	74
	Jalandhara Bandha	74
	Uddiyana Bandha	74
	Mula Bandha	76
	Three grades of kumbhaka	78
	Incessant abdominal breathing	81
	Holding the breath out	84
5.	Varieties of Pranayama	86
	Anuloma-viloma	87
	Ujjayi	89
	Suryabhedana	89
	Bhastrika	90
	Shitali	91
	Sitkari	91
	Bhramari	92
	Moorcha	94
	Plavini	95
6.	Pranayama: A Key To Good Health	98
	Importance of good health	98
	What constitutes health	99
	Mechanism of breathing	101
	Exchange of gases in the lungs	102
	Nervous control of respiration	104
	Breathing under abnormal conditions	105
	Effects of pranayamic breathing	107
	Erect sitting posture	108
	Relaxation of the body and mind	109
	Filling and emptying of the lungs	111
	Influence of ventilatory rate	111
	Pressure changes in the thoracic and abdominal cavities	112
	Exercise of the muscles of respiration	113
	Activation of hitherto silent areas of the brain	114
	Pranayama: a key to good health	117
	Digestion	117
	Circulation of blood	118
	Respiration	119
	Secretion	119
	Excretion	120
	Reproduction	121
	Co-ordination of various function	121
7.	Pranayama For the Cure of Disorders	123
	Cause of ill health	124
	Environmental conditions	125
	Heredity	125
	Moderation of behaviour	126
	Faulty Diet	127
	Work and Rest	127
	Pollution	128
	Lack of exercise	128
	Stress	134
	Cure of disorders
	Postural defects	140
	Headache	142
	Migraine	144
	Backache	146
	Diabetes	146
	Obesity	152
	Constipation	156
	Flatulence	158
	Dyspepsia	160
	Chronic dysentery	165
	Piles	165
	Hypertension	166
	Varicose veins	167
	Common cold, Rhinitis and Sinusitis	168
	Chronic Bronchitis	169
	Asthma	169
	Nervousness and instability of mind	170
	Sciatica	170
	Insomnia	171
	Spondylitis	172
	Rheumatoid arthritis	172
	Gout	173
	Displacement of the uterus	174
	Irregularities of menstruation	174
	Sexual Weakness	175
	Maladjustment of personality	175
	Appendix: A Keep Fit-Yoga Routine	178