Pranayama - "Breath Control"
Welcome to the Yoga Education page at Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia, your gateway to deeper understanding and practice.
Here, you can broaden your horizons and learn more about the Various Pranayama - "Breathing Techniques" and their benefits for Health and Spiritual Development!
Pranayama is the Fourth out of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Breathing is the most important aspect of Pranayama and revolves around the Art of Breathing (Control of Breath). Pranayama is a combination of two Sanskrit words, “Prana” and “Ayama”. Prana means “Life force” or “Vital Energy” and the nature of Prana is Consciousness.
Ayama means to “Extend”, “Mastery” to “Control”. Therefore, Pranayama is Mastery of the Life Force. Breathing exercises are superficial, they are not considered to be Pranayama, but simply prepare you for Pranayama. Pranayama is a practice that can only be done mentally. Through Pranayama you can open the Kundalini Energy which lies dormant at the base of spine, and travels up through the Sushumna Nadi.
Dirga Swasam Pranayama | Three Part Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Dirga Swasam Pranayama, "Three Part Breathing"
Dirga Swasam Pranayama: This Sanskrit term translates to "three-part breath" or "complete breath". • Three Parts: The complete breath involves filling the abdomen, then the rib cage (thoracic region), and finally the upper chest.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
Yogic Breathing | "Balanced Breathing"
Your Journey starts Here!
The King of all Pranayama, without mastering this particular Pranayama, no other Pranayama can be truly mastered!
This is a 5 Minute, Balanced or Equal Breathing Exercise, otherwise known as Yogic Breathing (Beginner, Level 1), and it is the Foundation of all other Pranayama - Breathing exercises.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again, continue with your Practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Extending Breath Duration | Pranayama
Your Journey can also start with this Pranayama until you build up to the beginner (10:10) Yogic Breathing Pranayama!
The King of all Pranayama, without mastering this particular Pranayama, no other Pranayama can be truly mastered!
The aim of this exercise is to extend your breath duration, and primarily build up your Lung Capacity. We start by inhaling and exhaling at a (4:4) ratio and progressively build up to an (7:7) ratio.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Vishama Vritti Pranayama | (1:2) Breathing Exercice
Next Pranayama in line is Vishama Vritti Pranayama | "(1:2) Breaything".
This is 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, Guided Breathing Exercise. Vishama Vritti Pranayama, otherwise known as “1:2 Breathing” involves exhaling 2 times longer than your inhalation. In this exercise, we inhale for 4 and exhale for 8 seconds.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Internal Retention Pranayama | (1: 1: 1) Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Vishama Vritti Pranayama, "(1:2) Breaything".
This video is a 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, guided Internal Retention Breathing Exercise. In this exercise we inhale to the Count of 6, hold to the Count of 6 and exhale to the Count of 6 (1:1:1) Ratio.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Sama Vritti Pranayama | "Box Breathing"
Next Pranayama in line is Sama Vritti Pranayama, "Box Breathing".
This is a 5 Minute, Box Breathing Exercise, otherwise known as Sama Vritti Pranayama (Beginner, Level 1). In this breathing exercise we will be inhaling for 6 Seconds, Holding for 6, Exhaling for 6 and holding for 6.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Savithri Pranayama | "Rectangular Breathing"
Next Pranayama in line is Savithri Pranayama, "Rectangular Breathing".
This is 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, Guided Breathing Exercise. Savithri Pranayama, otherwise known as “Rectangular Breathing” (1:2:1:2 ratio). In Savithri pranayama the breath-holding phases are half the length of the inhalation and exhalation. In this particular guided breathing exercise, we will be inhaling for 6 seconds, holding our breath (Antara Kumbhaka) for 3 seconds, exhaling for 6 seconds and finally holding our breath (Bahya Kumbhaka) for 3 seconds (6:3:6:3).
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Nan Madi Moochu Pranayama | Four Part Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Nan Madi Moochu Pranayama, "Four Part Breathing".
This is 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, Guided Breathing Exercise. Nan Madi Moochu otherwise known as “Four Part Breathing” involves dividing both our Inhalation and Exhalation into 4 parts instead of a single inhalation/ exhalation. In this exercise, each part has a duration of 1 seconds.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Viloma Pranayama | Inhalation Steps | Staircase Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Viloma Pranayama, Inhalation Steps, "Staircase Breathing".
This is 5 Minute Intermediate, Level 2, Guided Breathing Exercise. Viloma Pranayama (Inhalation Steps) otherwise known as “Staircase Breathing” involves breathing out and dividing your Inhalation into parts instead of a single Inhalation. In this exercise, each part has a duration of 2 seconds.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find a Beginner and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Viloma Pranayama | Exhalation Steps | Staircase Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Viloma Pranayama, Exhalation Steps, "Staircase Breathing".
This is 5 Minute Intermediate, Level 2, Guided Breathing Exercise. Viloma Pranayama (Exhalation Steps) otherwise known as “Staircase Breathing” involves taking a full breath in and dividing your Exhalation into parts instead of a single exhalation. In this exercise, each part has a duration of 2 seconds.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find a Beginner and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Viloma Pranayama | Inhalation - Exhalation Steps | Staircase Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Viloma Pranayama, Inhalation - Exhalation Steps, "Staircase Breathing".
This is 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, Guided Breathing Exercise. Viloma Pranayama (Inhalation-Exhalation Steps) otherwise known as “Staircase Breathing” involves dividing your Inhalation and exhalation into equal parts instead of a single Inhalation/exhalation. In this exercise, each part has a duration of 1 second. In this variation, we take 5 Inhalation Steps and only 4 exhalation steps.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find a Beginner and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!
Kukriya Pranayama | Panting Breathing Exercise
Next Pranayama in line is Kukriya Pranayama, "Panting Breathing"
This is 5 Minute Beginner, Level 1, Guided Breathing Exercise. Viloma Pranayama (Inhalation-Exhalation Steps) otherwise known as “Staircase Breathing” involves dividing your Inhalation and exhalation into equal parts instead of a single Inhalation/exhalation. In this exercise, each part has a duration of 1 second. In this variation, we take 5 Inhalation Steps and only 4 exhalation steps.
If you feel any strain or discomfort during this exercise, revert back normal breathing and when you feel ready again continue with your practice.
You can find an Intermediate and Advanced version of this Pranayama by Searching on our Channel, Ahimsa Yoga Nicosia on Youtube!