Dawn Smith Yoga

Going Deeper
‘The Pranayama Experience’

By Dawn Smith

Pranayama is made up of two Sanskrit words Prana meaning life force and Yama meaning to voluntarily control. Pranayama is essentially a system of processes for voluntarily controlling the breath to increase vitality, develop clarity and expand consciousness.

The breath acts as a bridge to our nervous system and just as your mood affects your breathing, your breathing affects your mood or psychological state. Breathing consciously and on purpose brings both oxygen and energy (Prana) to all the cells of the body enhancing all cellular process.

Bandhas are also a means of controlling and directing the Prana (energy). The word Bandha means “to lock” or “to restrain” which well describes the action of engaging the bandhas; they “lock in” the Pranic energy. Practiced with pranayama the bandhas work to energise the body, strengthening the organs, nervous and endocrine systems, easing symptoms of reproductive, urinary and metabolic disorders. The use of bandhas is essential for the advancement of your Karuna Yoga practice.

Derived from the Sanskrit word for “seal” Mudras are symbolic signs, gestures or postures that also allow you to harness and direct the Pranic flow of energy to specific areas of your body for deep and profound healing.

Some Drishtis ‘gaze points’ are also mudras such as the brow centre Shambavi Mudra or nose tip Agochari Mudra that calm the mind increasing your ability to concentrate.

Using Drishtis, Mudras and Bandhas during your Karuna Yoga and Pranayama practice greatly increases the benefit of each technique or posture.

Let’s not forget the whole point of all of these practices is to bring the mind to stillness that you may learn to meditate deeply and experience an expanded state of awareness.

For those who have ever tried to meditate against the relentless flow of thoughts streaming through your mind pranayama techniques are a welcome relief. No longer will you have to fight your busy mind for a few moments peace and quiet. With pranayama the mind naturally and gratefully quietens, allowing you the deep and restful meditation that is essential for the rejuvenation of your heart, lungs, central and autonomic systems.

During the Going Deeper Workshop you will get to practice specific pranayama techniques, with Mudras, Bandhas and Drishtis that simultaneously prepare both your body and mind for a spontaneous meditation experience.

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