PRANAYAMA

Feel the calmness that accompanies freedom from obstacles.

Preparing the body for meditation through an activity such as yoga is an ideal process in which to acquire skills to control unconscious thoughts and physical movements. Yoga creates a training ground in which to bring awareness to the joints, muscles, and the thoughts, in order to create single-pointed focus to sit still in meditation. An integral part of yoga is the practice of pranayama and the key to successful meditation through the all-important control of the breath.

When the mind is calm, the breath is also calm, and vice versa.

Incorporating breathing techniques and meditation in your daily activities is easy to do and helps you to live harmoniously with your surroundings while experiencing the transforming benefits of meditation.

For many people, the breath is erratic, uneven, noisy, and fails to maximize the life-force energy of prana. This is especially so when faced with a challenging situation.

The next time you encounter heavy traffic, pay attention to how you are breathing.
Then notice how you are feeling.
What thoughts and emotions are coursing through you?

Slowing the breath down and breathing deeply into the base of the lungs releases toxic emotions from your body. Notice how a deeper, more relaxed breathing pattern helps you slow down not only the rate of the breath, but your thoughts as well.

You can consciously practice pranayama everywhere; walking, waiting in line, waiting for a pot to boil.

Method
Observe the breath. Begin by monitoring the flow, rhythm, and speed of the breath. All three should be slow, smooth, and steady. When you focus your mind on something repetitive you automatically begin to quieten the thoughts and emotions. Purposely drawing your attention to one thought process prevents negativity and limitations from taking root. With each exhalation you can release what you do not need or want, and with each inhale, full your body and mind with the peace, joy, and love that will uplift you every day.

Once you teach your Self to breathe properly, you will use correct breathing techniques at every waking moment. In the beginning, you may catch yourself during moments of stress and detect that the pace of your breath is not effortless and calm.
Simply bring awareness back to the rhythmic flow of the breath and notice how it returns with ease to a composed and steady rate.

With practice, you will notice an improvement in clarity of thought, happiness, and peace of mind. Other people will notice the changes in you too and that means that you are making a positive difference not only in your own life, but in the lives of others too.

Your life becomes calmer, your meditation practice effortless, and the mind becomes limitless.

Peace