What is that one thing that comes naturally to all of us? Something that we practice knowingly or unknowingly. That exists within us but regulates everything that we feel on the inside and reflects it on the outside. It is the breath.
Breathing is a fundamental string of our being. To learn about the breath, I would invite you to recall looking at a pearl necklace. Each pearl of the necklace is placed next to another in beautiful alignment. These pearls are held by a string that is invisible to us. This string holds the necklace together in place. Its strength determines the strength of the necklace. Its quality determines the quality of the necklace. The string shapes this piece of jewellery and gives it structure. Even though it may be invisible, a necklace could not have been created without this string.
Similarly, the breath is essentially the string of the entire being. The various components of our being are like the pearls of a necklace. Our body-mind functioning, our senses, our organs, our muscles as well as our conscious and subconscious mind and emotions, are all individual components that are aligned with the beautiful string of breath. Just like the string of a necklace, the breath is invisible but holds each component that creates “you” on it. It is also true that the strength of the breath determines the presence of vital energy and life force within our being . It’s a force that provides the various components structure and rhythm and aligns them to work together for us. It nourishes us in entirety, a good breathing pattern allows for a clearer mind, energetic system and high vibrational experience of life.
Just like the string of a necklace, the breath is fundamental for our existence, its nature is such that once it is gone, we ultimately cease to exist. Without the breath, there is no life.
The breath is not only an important component of us internally, but also responsible for creating our deep connection with the world externally. Breath is a form of Air, one of the Four Great Elements; thus, each breath that we take, allows for us to create an energetic connection with the greater energy of the cosmos. It is the bridge that allows us to unite with the energies of the universe, which is why the strength of our breathing defines the strength of our total body-mind and soul functioning.
As we take a deep breath in, we feel ourselves energising, and as we breathe out, we exhale our energy into the universe. It is through the breath that we create our communion with the cosmic energy. With every breath in, we take something in from the cosmic energy and every breath out, we give something that is a piece of ourselves into the universe. And thus, a karmic cycle, through exchange of energies is created with the universe through the breath.
Take a few deep breaths in and out with 100% awareness to feel connected to the universal energy.
Understanding how the breath affects the mind brings us closer to knowing about our body mind function. When we take a breath in, it splits into five and brings in life force to the different functionings of the body. These different breaths are called Breath s according to ancient Indian literature and nourish different parts of our being. These breaths are
Udana breath
Udana Breath , or the upward-moving air, is the ascending energy that flows
upwards towards the head from the heart to the five senses and brain. It governs the functioning of the brain, the mind and the way thoughts are processed.It happens to
be the primary positive energy that governs the growth of the body and helps us in
developing our consciousness and various sheaths. It
coordinates the sensory nervous system and the neurons of the motor, which, in
turn, helps in the proper functioning and movement of the different organs of the
body. Udana Breath is upwards therefore it is concerned with the 3 upper chakras of the body, that is the Third-eye Chakra, the Crown Chakra and the Bindu Chakra. These Chakras are governed by the planetary energies of Jupiter and Moon and guide our connection with supreme consciousness as well as enable the development of discerning intellect and connection with supreme soul. So a free flow of Udana breath enhances the spiritual process.
Furthermore, the Udana breath also handles the controlling of the five physical
Sense organs to regulate emotions. It also enables the process of rejuvenation by flowing energy through the Throat Chakra and allowing the removal of tardiness and lazy energy by energising the Saturn energy in this Chakra.
It is suggested to try the Pranayam Anulom-Vilom, is alternate breathing that allows us to take in alternate breaths from each nostril, to regulate the physical and mental aspect of our being by works with Udana breath for rejuvenation
Bhambari is another type of Pranayam that aids in rejeunination and allows for release of stress due to its ability to help release excess energy within the system. For this Pranayam, one is to sit in a comfortable position, close their eyes with help of the first four fingers and ears with the thumb. Then, we inhale deeply and exhale slowly with a humming sound. The humming sound is like that of a bee and must be repeated for a couple of minutes to see the effectiveness.
Prana Breath
Prana breath, or the forward moving air, moves inward towards the chest region and governs the different receptions into the body. It is situated in the heart. Prana breath is the fundamental energy in the body and feeds into and directs the rest of the various types of breaths. It is primarily responsible for the functioning of the respiratory system, which includes the pumping of the heart, and the inhalation-exhalation process through the lungs.
Moreover, it also helps a great deal in swallowing the food and its regurgitation, as well as balances physiological and psychological activities such as mental consistency, eye concentration, etc. Since this breath is mainly associated with the upper abdomen area, it governs the Heart Chakra and is ruled by the Mercury Planet, emotional balance, emotional confidence, compassion, love, as well as kindness are regulated by the energy of this breath.
An imbalance or blockage in Prana breath may lead to depression, heart-related issues, etc.
Samana breath
Samana Breath or the balancing air, is situated in the upper abdomen, stomach and intestines, exactly right above the navel. The primary function of Samana breath is assimilation, and it governs the assimilation and digestion of all substances such as food, air, emotions,experiences, and thoughts. Additionally, it has a cooling down mechanism which helps in balancing the heat generated in the digestion process. An imbalance or blockage in Samana breath leads to sheer disturbance in the appetite, which further causes weakness. It governs the Solar Plexus or the Naval chakra, which guides your pride, self-power and self esteem. It is the centre of Soul DNA, and is imperative in designing the soul identity as well as guides the karmic connection with Ancestors. Samana breath energises this chakra and gifts with abundance, wealth and balance in ego.
Apana Breath
Apana Breath , or the air that moves away, or downward moving breath, sits in the pelvic region, and the energy pervades the lower abdomen and the genitals. The primary function of this breath is elimination. The energy nourishes the organs of reproduction, digestion, and removal of substances from the body such as urine, stool, carbon dioxide, etc. It is connected to the lower chakras of the body, including the Sacral Chakra and Root Chakra which are governed by the energy of planet Venus and Mars respectively. The Apana breath allows for the venus energy of the sacral chakra to manifest beauty, creativity, sensuality, pleasure as well as fulfilment of desire. As for Root chakra, the Apana breath regulates the Mars energy of survival, courage, grit and will power in us. It also shapes our true identity and gives us the soldier spirit in life.
Vyana Breath
Vyana Breath , or the outward moving air, encompasses the whole body. It is
situated in the lungs and the heart and flows throughout the body. The primary
The function of this breath is circulation. The energy governs the circulation of various substances throughout the body and aids the other Breath s with their respective roles.
Vyana breath functions as an alternative system which facilitates the reserved force
into the deficient areas of the other Pranas. It also provides essential nutrients to
the different organs via blood flow.Vyana also helps with regulating all other breaths in the body and through the different Koshas (layers of existence) of the body. These different koshas are listed as follows
- Anamaya kosha:This is the food body or physical body, it is the primary aspect since the body is made of food.
- Pranamaya kosha: The pranic body that governs physiological functions of the body
- Mannomaya kosha: The mental body which guides the mental and emotional processes
- Vjnanamaya kosha ; The astral body, which is the centre of intuitive, psychic and causal processes.
- Anandamaya kosha : Lastly, the bliss body which exists in a plane that is beyond pain and pleasure, a place of blissful experience and divine connection where one can join the expansion of superconsciousness.
Thus, breath in totality governs all major functioning of the body through its different movements within the body, and provides the energy force to our being.
Since the air we breathe in is a part of the limitless universe, the energy of the breath is also connected with other planetary energies of the universe. The right nostril is said to be governed by the Sun and the left is said to be governed by the Moon. In this sense, the solar and lunar aspects of the universe have a way of directly impacting us through our breath.
The energy of the Sun is warm, it regulates our physical self, our outward being, our ego, and our movement, the Moon on the other hand is a cooling energy that symbolises the world inwards. It governs our inner self, the emotions, the feelings. The lunar energy is also related to our mind and emotions.
In a similar manner, the strength of the breath is such that it is also able to energise the various centres of planetary energies in our body in the form of chakra. Energising chakras through the breath enables for a free of energy and experience within the body and soul.