Pranayama is the ancient practice of controlling your breath. You control the timing, duration, and frequency of every breath and hold.
The goal of pranayama is to connect your body and mind. It also supplies your body with oxygen while removing toxins. This is meant to provide healing physiological benefits.
Pranayama involves different breathing techniques. Examples include:
- alternate nostril breathing (nadishodhana)
- victorious breath (ujjayi)
- female honeybee humming breath (bhramari)
- bellows breath (bastrika)
- These breathing exercises can be practiced in many ways. For instance, you can do them while performing yoga poses. You can also practice them while meditating or on their own.
7 Benefits
The benefits of pranayama have been extensively researched.
According to scientific studies, pranayama may benefit your health in a variety of different ways. Let’s look at seven of these benefits in more detail.
- Decreases stress
- Improves sleep quality
- Increases mindfulness
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Improves lung function
- Enhances cognitive performance
- Helps in quitting smoking
