Yoga-Meditations

The study of a group of high school students over three months by Dr. Anand Shetty of Hampton University established the effectiveness of Pranayama in weight loss. Often we get so consumed with weight loss programs that we forget the most basic and important thing to do: breathe. Proper breathing can help us feel more calm and relaxed, invite in positive energy and exercise much more efficiently. The group studied by Dr Shetty were divided; one group practised pranayama: breathing techniques and yoga three to four times a week for forty minutes where they practised deep and quiet breathing. An average of six pounds was lost on an average and BMIs decreased by six percent of the students in this group. 30 minutes of pranayama and yoga which can be easily incorporated during leisure along with family members, for three to four times a week is recommended by Dr Shetty for losing weight and healthy living.

In Sanskrit, “Prana” means breath and life both; Chi, known as Prana in Indian culture is also called energy of life; hence breathing is very important to draw in as much of Prana as possible. This “breathing technique” or “control of breath” is called Pranayama and with this part of yoga tradition, maintenance of healthy weight is easily achieved. We all tend to breath quite shallowly, not utilising our entire lung capacity hence Pranayama should be started and continued gradually to get used to Prana in. Pranayama should be stopped the moment you faint or feel flushed.

Pranayama has numerous benefits on our emotional health apart from specific control on weight loss as it helps boost metabolism, utilize oxygen efficiently so that food is metabolised faster, regulate carbon dioxide’s release from the body so that fatigue is not experienced during exercise and removes toxins from body.

Depending on what is wished to be accomplished at that time, there are various breathing techniques. For example, abdominal breathing requires one to go for deep breathing using diaphragm whereas the dirgha (long) breath is done to expand capacity of lungs, bringing a higher level of oxygen to stream of blood. However, inhalation and exhalation should be done using your nose and care should be taken to maintain regular and fluid breath.