Breathing to Equanimity

What is Pranayama?

Pranayama is the study of Yoga Breathing and the flow of energy that accompanies every inhale and exhale, expanding the sense of stillness throughout the body, allowing you to be more present and connected to others by finding balance between the body, the mind and the spirit.  It is mostly a seated practice and can be practiced by anyone—if you breathe on a regular basis, you’re a good candidate!

The Body

Pranayama practice provides a great massage of internal organs as the diaphragm contracts and expands; it increases the flow of oxygen throughout the lungs and up into the sinuses; it helps you locate and then release tension and tightness throughout the body.

Some Pranayama techniques are calming and cooling, some are balancing, and some are invigorating and energizing, allowing you to tune into what your body needs at any time and find a way to bring it into balance with your breath. 

The Mind

A long-term Pranayama and Meditation practice calms the chattering of your mind, enhancing your abilities for concentration and more complex thought by learning how to bring the attention back to the breath whenever the mind begins to wander.  In addition, increased oxygen flow to the brain will help you think more clearly!

Yoga meditation also helps you begin to let go of incessant negative thoughts and self-talk, allowing you to begin to visualize more positive, uplifting thoughts, and opening the door for allowing in a more compassionate future for yourself and others.

The Spirit

Every one of us has stressful situations in our lives— whether you struggle with depression, grief, or any other emotional turmoil, a meditative practice can help you find the way to peace and calm.  By learning to let go of our unending thoughts and learning to release physical tension we can find the metaphor for all this in our emotional and spiritual lives, too, finding the way to let go of emotional pain as we begin to experience the sense of connectedness that we have to others.

This doesn’t sound like Yoga to me ...

Pranayama is the fourth limb of Yoga, and, although it is sometimes incorporated into the more typical Yoga Asana classes, it can be studied on its own, along with various Meditation techniques.  Click here for an overview of the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

A Pranayama practice is usually taught in various seated positions on the floor, but can also be practiced while seated in a chair or even lying in a supported reclining position.  Breathing techniques can be modified for any physical conditions or injuries.  Students use blocks, bolsters, and blankets to find suitable comfortable positions.

For information about Pranayama and Meditation Classes, contact:

Patricia Gray      816-926-1045     pgkc256@gmail.com

Sami Aaron         913-915-1971     samiaaron@beingontosomething.org

Pranayama …

                        The Harmonious Breath

     Meditation …

                                Finding Peace