With so many great and transformative breathwork practices on the market on the planet (Wim Hof, Tummo, the “psychological sigh”), it begins to get a bit of complicated. How precisely are breathwork and pranayama completely different?
To reply this query, we have to have a look at the intention for every sort of follow.
With a “breathwork” follow, our intention is often to to reinforce our physiological and cardiovascular capability ultimately. We could also be coaching our physique to be extra CO2 resistant, opening the respiration accent muscular tissues in order that we are able to get pleasure from fuller breaths, or prompting the diaphragm to contract and launch extra successfully. Whereas a few of these practices (Tummo involves thoughts!) are extremely invigorating, there are additionally extra delicate breathwork practices meant to calm the nervous system, equivalent to extending the exhale or training a psychological sigh.
Pranayama has a special intention. The intention of pranayama is to direct the movement of prana (delicate power, life drive) throughout the physique, typically as a preparation for meditation. By means of harnessing and directing this power, the delicate physique turns into extra alive and fewer stagnant, and prana can doubtlessly be directed up the central channel (susumna nadi). Yogis additionally typically use bandhas (“locks” or “valves” to direct power) and mudras (hand positions, shapes) to direct this energetic movement. From the skin, pranayama follow often seems delicate and quieting.
Intention
- The intention of breathwork is to reinforce our physiological capability ultimately
- The intention of pranayama is to direct prana
Zebras and Painted Horses
Some practices could look the identical. For instance, somebody desirous to handle their nervousness could follow a counted breath the place they inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds to calm their nervous system. A yogis could do the precisely the identical follow and name it asamavritti. Nonetheless, the distinction is the intention. One practitioner is respiration to alleviate stress whereas the opposite is doing it to maneuver prana within the physique and put together for meditation.
Get pleasure from Them All
Each breathwork and pranayama might be nourishing and transformational. As a practitioner, there’s no actual want to fret overly a lot about labels. In any case, actions that impression one layer of the physique (or kosha, in yoga communicate) will naturally impression all of the others! Benefit from the follow with curiousity and see how the follow modifications how you’re feeling.
Nonetheless, as yoga lecturers, it’s useful to outline our intention for the follow in order that we’re constant and conscious in regards to the journey we’re creating for our college students. For instance, when instructing breathwork, we might not be overly involved about making a quiet and calm house. Nonetheless, pranayama could profit from a quiet house the place it’s extra accessible for college kids to direct their consciousness inwards.
Glad instructing!
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