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Breath is life yogic breathing is highest protection to life

2022; MedCrave Group; Volume: 15; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.15406/ijcam.2022.15.00607

2381-1803

Wazir C Vasudeva, Ozioko Eucharia N, Ajibade GA, Vantsawa PA Vantsawa PA, Appah J Appah J,

Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

A-1 Breath is Life"To breathe means to live and to live means to breathe.life is not possible without breathing.The cessation of breathing is cessation of life". Swami Vishnu Devananda 2Life is impossible without air.We can survive without food and water for some time, but if our air supply is stopped we will be dead in a few moments.Oxygen is required to burn waste materials from our body so as to purify the blood stream.In the modern world, we have lost the art of breathing properly.The shallow breathing utilizes only about 1/10 of the lung capacity, 3 lack of oxygen causes headaches, fatigue, and lack of mental alertness.Yogic breathing exercises if done accurately and without any strain can lead to greater bodily vitality, calming the mind and emotions. 2According to Cynthia Worby 4 "The breath is the vehicle for prana, the vital energy force.It is the universal energy that sustains all life.The prana enters the body upon inhalation, supplying every cell with energy, oxygen and nutrients.The breath is the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds". A-2 Sources of pranaWe obtain prana from rest, food, water, sleep, sunshine, and being in a peaceful and quiet state of mind.There is more prana in fresh foods than in canned or stale foods.Vegetarian food has higher prana values than flesh food, which is supposed to be made of dead animals.Meat has a lower or negative value for prana.The most direct and immediate source of prana is breath.The way we breathe has a powerful effect on how we feel. 5 Pranayama is done to redistribute prana, the vital energy force throughout the body.If certain parts of the body lack in prana, it will become unhealthy and result in diseases.The reduction in life force (prana) by improper breathing results in the shortening of the lifespan.In classical yoga books, breath is mentioned as a "string which controls the kite". 6The mind is considered as a kite and the breath as string.As the breath moves, so moves the mind.If our breathing is short and rapid, our mind will work nervously and agitatedly.If breathing is erratic, our mind will be disturbed and anxious.If our breathing is long, slow and smooth, our mind will become quiet and peaceful.The breath is a link between body and mind.A-3 Some important quotations on breathing as given by some yoga masters i. "Breathing is physical part of thinking and thinking is the psychological part of breathing"Ayurveda -Benefits of Breathing Exercise: Pranayama -Conscious Health ii.When the breath wanders, i.e., irregular, the mind is also unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the mind.Hathayoga Pradipika -https://conscioushealth.net/pranayambreathing-exercise-conscious-health-nahid-ameen/ iii."A man is said to live only so long as he is breathing; when the breathing cease, he is said to be dead".Hatha Yoga Pradipka/Swami Vishnudevananda iv."When nadis are full of impurities, the breath does not go to middle nadi, sushumna -then there is no arriving at the higher state of mind"Hatha Yoga Pradipka/Swami Vishnu…