This is a complete one-of-its-kind book on the widely known yet little understood science and practice of yogic pranayama. Written specially for the common man, the book traces the origin of pranayama, explains and removes some of the common perceptions and misconceptions, discusses the significance of practice of pranayama in maintaining good health and, most important, explains in detail the practice of pranayama - the different components and varieties, the various asanas, bandhas, kriyas and mudras. The focus is practical, with each asana illustrated and each photograph accompanied with explanatory text.
The author describes Pranayama is detail and also the benefits. The importance of Pranayama for good health, mental clarity, prevention and cure of some diseases are explained adequately
details the causes of various diseases and gives pranayamic remedies in a capsule form"
Hindu
"A practical guide to good health. With extensive details the book is a very useful introduction to pranayama. Each asana is illustrated. Each picture is explained.M.P. Chronicle
"There is no doubt about the benefits of Pranayama and its varieties, the accompanying illustrations are neatly and cleanly done."Body & Beauty Care
"The book discusses in detail various disorders which can be cured by practicing pranayama along with other techniques such as asanas, kriyas, diet control and more active forms of exercise."Bhavan's Journal
There is a separate section of how pranayam helps in recovery and restoration of good health and how the practice of different and specific asanas can speed up recovery from various ailments, aches, pains, postural defects, diabetes, obesity, stomach problems, piles, asthma, arthritis, gout, etc. With 60 Photographs.
1. | What is Pranayama | 9 |
Pranayama is control of breath | 11 | |
How did pranayama originate | 13 | |
Why do we breathe at all | 14 | |
Why should we control the breath | 16 | |
What can pranayama do | 18 | |
2. | Misconceptions About Pranayama Removed | 20 |
Pranayama is not for the householder | 20 | |
Pranayama is dangerous | 22 | |
Pranayama should begin only after mastering yama, niyama, and asana | 23 | |
Pranayama should be practised only after initiation | 24 | |
Pranayama gives unusual powers | 25 | |
Pranayama nullifies the effect of heat or cold | 26 | |
Pranayama gives the capacity to hold the breath infinitely | 27 | |
Pranayama prolongs life | 28 | |
Beliefs regarding relation of pranayama with food | 28 | |
3. | Before Making a Beginning | 30 |
Proper arrangements for training | 30 | |
Fitness of the student | 32 | |
Age for starting pranayama | 34 | |
For Both the Sexes | 34 | |
Selection of the place | 35 | |
What to wear | 36 | |
Time of practice | 36 | |
Diet and food habits | 37 | |
Combination of pranayama with other activities | 40 | |
Regularity of practice | 40 | |
Measurement of time | 41 | |
A clear nasal passage | 42 | |
Preparing the seat | 44 | |
Postures suitable for pranayama | 44 | |
Sukhasana | 45 | |
Vajrasana | 46 | |
Swastikasana | 46 | |
Siddhasana | 47 | |
Padmasana | 48 | |
4. | How to Practise Pranayama | 52 |
Three components of pranayama | 58 | |
Yukta pranayama | 56 | |
Breathing through one nostril | 58 | |
Making a beginning | 60 | |
Introduction of kumbhaka (retention) | 68 | |
Application of Bandhas (holds) | 72 | |
Jivha Bandha | 74 | |
Jalandhara Bandha | 74 | |
Uddiyana Bandha | 74 | |
Mula Bandha | 76 | |
Three grades of kumbhaka | 78 | |
Incessant abdominal breathing | 81 | |
Holding the breath out | 84 | |
5. | Varieties of Pranayama | 86 |
Anuloma-viloma | 87 | |
Ujjayi | 89 | |
Suryabhedana | 89 | |
Bhastrika | 90 | |
Shitali | 91 | |
Sitkari | 91 | |
Bhramari | 92 | |
Moorcha | 94 | |
Plavini | 95 | |
6. | Pranayama: A Key To Good Health | 98 |
Importance of good health | 98 | |
What constitutes health | 99 | |
Mechanism of breathing | 101 | |
Exchange of gases in the lungs | 102 | |
Nervous control of respiration | 104 | |
Breathing under abnormal conditions | 105 | |
Effects of pranayamic breathing | 107 | |
Erect sitting posture | 108 | |
Relaxation of the body and mind | 109 | |
Filling and emptying of the lungs | 111 | |
Influence of ventilatory rate | 111 | |
Pressure changes in the thoracic and abdominal cavities | 112 | |
Exercise of the muscles of respiration | 113 | |
Activation of hitherto silent areas of the brain | 114 | |
Pranayama: a key to good health | 117 | |
Digestion | 117 | |
Circulation of blood | 118 | |
Respiration | 119 | |
Secretion | 119 | |
Excretion | 120 | |
Reproduction | 121 | |
Co-ordination of various function | 121 | |
7. | Pranayama For the Cure of Disorders | 123 |
Cause of ill health | 124 | |
Environmental conditions | 125 | |
Heredity | 125 | |
Moderation of behaviour | 126 | |
Faulty Diet | 127 | |
Work and Rest | 127 | |
Pollution | 128 | |
Lack of exercise | 128 | |
Stress | 134 | |
Cure of disorders | ||
Postural defects | 140 | |
Headache | 142 | |
Migraine | 144 | |
Backache | 146 | |
Diabetes | 146 | |
Obesity | 152 | |
Constipation | 156 | |
Flatulence | 158 | |
Dyspepsia | 160 | |
Chronic dysentery | 165 | |
Piles | 165 | |
Hypertension | 166 | |
Varicose veins | 167 | |
Common cold, Rhinitis and Sinusitis | 168 | |
Chronic Bronchitis | 169 | |
Asthma | 169 | |
Nervousness and instability of mind | 170 | |
Sciatica | 170 | |
Insomnia | 171 | |
Spondylitis | 172 | |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 172 | |
Gout | 173 | |
Displacement of the uterus | 174 | |
Irregularities of menstruation | 174 | |
Sexual Weakness | 175 | |
Maladjustment of personality | 175 | |
Appendix: A Keep Fit-Yoga Routine | 178 |
This is a complete one-of-its-kind book on the widely known yet little understood science and practice of yogic pranayama. Written specially for the common man, the book traces the origin of pranayama, explains and removes some of the common perceptions and misconceptions, discusses the significance of practice of pranayama in maintaining good health and, most important, explains in detail the practice of pranayama - the different components and varieties, the various asanas, bandhas, kriyas and mudras. The focus is practical, with each asana illustrated and each photograph accompanied with explanatory text.
The author describes Pranayama is detail and also the benefits. The importance of Pranayama for good health, mental clarity, prevention and cure of some diseases are explained adequately
details the causes of various diseases and gives pranayamic remedies in a capsule form"
Hindu
"A practical guide to good health. With extensive details the book is a very useful introduction to pranayama. Each asana is illustrated. Each picture is explained.M.P. Chronicle
"There is no doubt about the benefits of Pranayama and its varieties, the accompanying illustrations are neatly and cleanly done."Body & Beauty Care
"The book discusses in detail various disorders which can be cured by practicing pranayama along with other techniques such as asanas, kriyas, diet control and more active forms of exercise."Bhavan's Journal
There is a separate section of how pranayam helps in recovery and restoration of good health and how the practice of different and specific asanas can speed up recovery from various ailments, aches, pains, postural defects, diabetes, obesity, stomach problems, piles, asthma, arthritis, gout, etc. With 60 Photographs.
1. | What is Pranayama | 9 |
Pranayama is control of breath | 11 | |
How did pranayama originate | 13 | |
Why do we breathe at all | 14 | |
Why should we control the breath | 16 | |
What can pranayama do | 18 | |
2. | Misconceptions About Pranayama Removed | 20 |
Pranayama is not for the householder | 20 | |
Pranayama is dangerous | 22 | |
Pranayama should begin only after mastering yama, niyama, and asana | 23 | |
Pranayama should be practised only after initiation | 24 | |
Pranayama gives unusual powers | 25 | |
Pranayama nullifies the effect of heat or cold | 26 | |
Pranayama gives the capacity to hold the breath infinitely | 27 | |
Pranayama prolongs life | 28 | |
Beliefs regarding relation of pranayama with food | 28 | |
3. | Before Making a Beginning | 30 |
Proper arrangements for training | 30 | |
Fitness of the student | 32 | |
Age for starting pranayama | 34 | |
For Both the Sexes | 34 | |
Selection of the place | 35 | |
What to wear | 36 | |
Time of practice | 36 | |
Diet and food habits | 37 | |
Combination of pranayama with other activities | 40 | |
Regularity of practice | 40 | |
Measurement of time | 41 | |
A clear nasal passage | 42 | |
Preparing the seat | 44 | |
Postures suitable for pranayama | 44 | |
Sukhasana | 45 | |
Vajrasana | 46 | |
Swastikasana | 46 | |
Siddhasana | 47 | |
Padmasana | 48 | |
4. | How to Practise Pranayama | 52 |
Three components of pranayama | 58 | |
Yukta pranayama | 56 | |
Breathing through one nostril | 58 | |
Making a beginning | 60 | |
Introduction of kumbhaka (retention) | 68 | |
Application of Bandhas (holds) | 72 | |
Jivha Bandha | 74 | |
Jalandhara Bandha | 74 | |
Uddiyana Bandha | 74 | |
Mula Bandha | 76 | |
Three grades of kumbhaka | 78 | |
Incessant abdominal breathing | 81 | |
Holding the breath out | 84 | |
5. | Varieties of Pranayama | 86 |
Anuloma-viloma | 87 | |
Ujjayi | 89 | |
Suryabhedana | 89 | |
Bhastrika | 90 | |
Shitali | 91 | |
Sitkari | 91 | |
Bhramari | 92 | |
Moorcha | 94 | |
Plavini | 95 | |
6. | Pranayama: A Key To Good Health | 98 |
Importance of good health | 98 | |
What constitutes health | 99 | |
Mechanism of breathing | 101 | |
Exchange of gases in the lungs | 102 | |
Nervous control of respiration | 104 | |
Breathing under abnormal conditions | 105 | |
Effects of pranayamic breathing | 107 | |
Erect sitting posture | 108 | |
Relaxation of the body and mind | 109 | |
Filling and emptying of the lungs | 111 | |
Influence of ventilatory rate | 111 | |
Pressure changes in the thoracic and abdominal cavities | 112 | |
Exercise of the muscles of respiration | 113 | |
Activation of hitherto silent areas of the brain | 114 | |
Pranayama: a key to good health | 117 | |
Digestion | 117 | |
Circulation of blood | 118 | |
Respiration | 119 | |
Secretion | 119 | |
Excretion | 120 | |
Reproduction | 121 | |
Co-ordination of various function | 121 | |
7. | Pranayama For the Cure of Disorders | 123 |
Cause of ill health | 124 | |
Environmental conditions | 125 | |
Heredity | 125 | |
Moderation of behaviour | 126 | |
Faulty Diet | 127 | |
Work and Rest | 127 | |
Pollution | 128 | |
Lack of exercise | 128 | |
Stress | 134 | |
Cure of disorders | ||
Postural defects | 140 | |
Headache | 142 | |
Migraine | 144 | |
Backache | 146 | |
Diabetes | 146 | |
Obesity | 152 | |
Constipation | 156 | |
Flatulence | 158 | |
Dyspepsia | 160 | |
Chronic dysentery | 165 | |
Piles | 165 | |
Hypertension | 166 | |
Varicose veins | 167 | |
Common cold, Rhinitis and Sinusitis | 168 | |
Chronic Bronchitis | 169 | |
Asthma | 169 | |
Nervousness and instability of mind | 170 | |
Sciatica | 170 | |
Insomnia | 171 | |
Spondylitis | 172 | |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 172 | |
Gout | 173 | |
Displacement of the uterus | 174 | |
Irregularities of menstruation | 174 | |
Sexual Weakness | 175 | |
Maladjustment of personality | 175 | |
Appendix: A Keep Fit-Yoga Routine | 178 |