Pranayama

Pranayama – Control of the breath – Energy Extension

Pranayama is the science of controlled, conscious expansion of Prana (life-force energy) through specific breathing techniques and the physical expansion of the lungs. It has immense therapeutic benefits in a wide range of psychosomatic disorders such as hypertension, asthma, panic attacks and general stress-related problems. Pranayama explores the many ways of opening and expanding the lungs to maximise oxygen flow to the bloodstream.

This has the potential then to detoxify the body; bring rich nutrients to the cells of muscle tissues to enhance performance; cleanse and stimulate the circulatory and respiratory systems. The combined movement of the abdominal/diaphragmatic muscles and intercostal muscles of the rib cage will bring a rich supply of oxygenated blood to the organs, it will also create a massaging effect on the organs in the abdominal cavity stimulating the digestive system.

Mahat Pranayama, under the discipline of Gitananda and brought to the West through the teachings of Philip Xerri, explores a solid foundation of breath awareness and control. It teaches the first pillar to Pranayama by using the full capacity of the lungs through lobular breathing – the 3 sections of the lungs: abdominal/diaphragmatic, lower lung (Adham); Thoracic, middle lung (Madhyam) and the Clavicular, upper lung (Adhyam). Once this basic controlled breathing is understood and practised, one will then be able to move on to the movements of specific muscle groups to control lung function and directed energy.

Sukha Purvakha Pranayama is the second pillar of Pranayama preparation and explores the rhythmic patterns of the breath. This is the ‘act of breathing’, a conscious and controlled method applied through breath counts and patterns which can effect psychological and neurological energy; how the breath can affect you. The practice of ‘4-part breathing’ – the in-breath; held-in breath; out-breath and held-out breath in rhythm combinations and metronome counting creates this solid and safe platform to start utilising the breath to its maximum capacity and development.

Victoria teaches Pranayama as a private therapy to alleviate stress and all associated symptoms. This in turn can change psychosomatic problems of pain, anxiety and tension with breath control and breath retentions in associated rhythms. Please call for a consultation.