The Essence of Yoga

All teachings of philosophic value encourage the attainment of a state of balance and harmony. In yoga it is recognized as the state of equilibrium following flux, movement and change. This applies to the relaxed state of consciousness that follows all activity, including dynamic physical exercise programmes. Controlled breathing rhythms and habits are found to effectively assist us.

The techniques used are practised with the knowledge of the inter-relationship of breathing and thought. A simple example of this is when we breathe slowly and deeply and feel consequently more relaxed and peaceful. When we inhale at a quicker rate it has the opposite effect and helps stimulate our energies towards activity.

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Because respiration is normally an unconcious function, it takes a concerted effort towards gaining conscious control over the process.

Tutoring ideally begins in helping children to understand the basic muscular controls that are associated with breathing and as adults, revise what we may already know in gaining control of the intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles and upper torso.

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Having followed the requirements for preparation, and wearing loose and unrestrictive clothing, you are now seated with an upright spine in a comfortable position to begin specific exercises.  There are many breathing techniques involved in pranayama, and they must be applied with full understanding of the processes involved. As the electro-magnetic energies involved in breathing are similar to electricity, which gives us light, so the correct rules for ‘wiring’ the nervous system must be adhered to before we can expect any illumination of the spiritual kind.

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Prana is the name used in Yoga to represent universal energy and is written ‘Prana.’

A specific energy or vitality is generally referred to as ‘ prana.’

Various types of energy as those naturally associated with the human body are called ‘pranas’.

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Everything that is alive draws in life energy and expresses it in a process corresponding to respiration. 

Our life begins at our birth with an inhalation and our life will end with our last exhalation.  From cradle to the grave our breathing function does not let us down except in times of respiratory malfunction or disease.  Throughout the whole period of our life-span the breath will continue without a pause, in its interminable rhythm keeping us supplied with oxygen, giving us life energy whether we are aware of the process.

The majority of these breaths we take unconsciously, with many being taken in the hours of sleep. But we expect that when we go to sleep, the breath will continue, and that when we awaken, the process will have been maintained through our sleep and naturally be resumed.
It is a potent reminder of the absolute faith that we place in nature every time we go to sleep. 

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Prana is the name given to the universal life giving and sustaining energy of nature. We are kept refuelled with this vital need every minute of the day and night through the process of respiration.  Most of this process occurs unconsciously. When we learn to direct our awareness to the mechanism of breathing and focus our conscious mind upon respiration so that we can direct our energy it is known as the practice of Pranayama.

The breath is our lifeline whereby our subtle connection is maintained between body and soul. There are many yogic practices that suggest unusual capacities and these can be demonstrated by yogis skilled in the mastery of this discipline.  However, only the simplest exercises that interfere with the natural, unconscious rhythms should be practised without personal instruction.  For example -

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