Meditation Cafe: What Is Pranayama

Prana means vital energy or life force, ayama is defined as extension or expansion. Thus, the word pranayama means expansion of life force and may be viewed as the art of breathing. In Yoga practice we always make sure that we start with correct breathing. This means breathing deeply, as designed to do, fully utilising the movement of the diaphragm.

Many westerners are stuck in a stress response, shallow breathing in the upper region of the lungs, never fully expelling all the stale air. In Yogic terms, this stale air aggravates the movement in the mind, increasing thoughts and anxiety levels. Pranayama is therefore a great precursor to any Meditation practice.

In Meditation Cafe, each week we practice various different types of pranayama before we Meditate, to give us the best possible chance of experiencing the Silence beyond all our mind chatter.

Before we practice pranayama we must make sure we are “diaphragmatic breathing” first. To experience what I’m talking about, lie down and put something fairly heavy on your belly. Your belly will move the object up as you breathe in and down as you breathe out. Having the weight helps you feel where the movement needs to happen.

Now try sitting up with one hand on your chest and one below your navel. Are you breathing in the same way as when you were lying down or has the breath moved up into the chest. Which hand is moving first? If the top hand is moving first, then you need to retrain your breath to use the diaphragm as default.

My favourite pranayama is called Ujjayi and it literally means, “Victorious Uprising”. I have always had a propensity towards anxiety and panic attacks due to the ongoing sensory challenges that I experience daily. If I say that Ujjayi saved me, it did! With the practice of Ujjayi and increased awareness that comes through Yoga practice, I am able to use this pranayama to help calm my nervous system when sensory overwhelm is pushing my body into panic. I use it when I feel the sensory overwhelm looming, in places where I am not in control of the environment.

If you’d like support with breathing efficiently or to practice some pranayama, join me for Meditation Cafe, try a Blossom Yoga class or book a one to one Yoga session in person or via zoom.

To register for tonights free Meditation Cafe please click the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckfuGurD0rHN2EASSGxbLDB8yfHf50GhNZ

If you’d like to “buy me a decaf coffee” in the Meditation Cafe to support my work, you can do so here:

http://paypal.me/thebendywitch

All donations, however small, are much appreciated.

Applause please for getting this out before 7.25pm 👏🏼🎖🤣

I hope to see you in the Meditation Cafe soon.

Bright Blessings

Raye 🌼