The word pranayama brings the image of a specific yogic practice in which there is a systematic process of breathing is involved. Basically pranayama is an important tool in Hatha yoga by which the practitioner not only establishes the harmony and control over the functioning of the physiological systems but also extends the control to those subtle processes of the body which support all those activities happening at the grosser levels of being.

Literally pranayama means the extension or expansion of the range of prana. And with this expansion of prana the consciousness is transported to the subtler realm of existence. In tantra energy and consciousness are used interchangeably. They are considered as the two sides of the same coin. Consciousness is considered as the static aspect of energy and energy is the dynamic aspect of consciousness. Therefore whatever changes or alterations happen in the realm of energy, will bring about a corresponding alteration in the state of consciousness. Based on this premise of tantra the technique of science of pranayama was developed by the ancients.

Pranayama is such a technique through which the practitioner comes in contact with the different dimensions of energy (gross to subtle) and by establishing control over the life force or prana, the control over the functioning of the mind body complex is developed. In the whole of the pranayama process different techniques of breathing are used.

Whenever the problems of mind management come we find that the practice of pranayama can serve as a potent tool to manage the problems of the mind and emotions. Because the breathing the process which can connect one to the different levels of functioning. And the breathing is also responsible for mobilizing the energies of the body. According to the science of yoga the energy is that aspect which keeps the mind and the body running.

The practice of pranayama has its own psychotherapeutic values. The reason is the use of various breathing techniques which bring about a qualitative change in the patterns of thoughts, feelings and emotions. In many somatic psychotherapeutic schools the therapists use breathing to change the patterns of awareness in the individuals. In different branches of Somatic-psychotherapy, such as Bioenergetics, Aqua therapy, Primal therapy etc, therapist uses the appropriate breathing technique to transform the mental state of the patients. It has been observed by these therapists that there is a connection between the nature of feelings, thoughts and the breathing patterns. If there is a change in the state of feelings and the thinking and feelings the breathing patterns are also altered. For example visualize a situation when we are in the state of anger, then what happens with our breathing patterns? How does it behave? We find that the harmonious flow of the breath is lost, it becomes arrhythmic, interrupted and tense. Now if we think about the state when we are relaxed, we would observe that in this state of harmony, the breath also becomes relaxed and harmonized and follows a constant rhythm. Based on the above observations the somatic psychologists concluded that there is a definite relationship between the states of mind and the breathing patterns.

There are various techniques of Pranayama some of them are activating, heating and invigorating, some are balancing, harmonizing and pacifying and some of them are cooling in nature. In the tradition of Hatha yoga Pranayama is the link between energy and consciousness. Through this tool the state of consciousness is altered and the practitioners access the hidden dimension of prana.

Besides the techniques now another important and unavoidable aspect of the whole process is the approach that decides where the practice and the technique will lead you to. Like any other yogic practice Pranayama needs proper centering of the self to go deeper levels of experiences and therefore it is equally important that the practitioner gives time to settle in properly and finally starts journeying within.

I started yoga teaching 10 years ago after completing my Post Graduation in Yoga Psychology from Bihar Yoga Bharati (Deemed University). After completing the study there I started sharing my learning with yoga aspirants, in the same university as Lecturer in the Dept. Of Yoga Psychology. The field of yoga has been an awakening and life transforming experience for me. It opened a completely new perspective to see the reality and participate in the flow of life! And I do believe that every particle in the UNIVERSE is participating and contributing to the eternal flow of life..

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All impressions and reactions are known as ‘mental fluctuations’ or ‘thought-waves’, and yoga is the control of thought-waves in the mind. – Patanjali

Yoga refers to the system of practices that help to control the mind, body and the soul. There are many styles and patterns of yoga and each pattern is oriented towards exploration and development of mind, body and soul. It is a holistic path that leads to a sense of peace and well-being. Through different poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana), yoga makes the practitioner aware of his inner self. The practitioner achieves highest potential and experiences perennial happiness. Through the practice of yoga, one becomes aware of the interconnectedness between his/her emotional, mental and physical levels. This awareness leads to an understanding of the more subtle areas of existence. Yoga aims to help an individual to fuse together the material (annamaya), physical (pranamaya), mental (manomaya), intellectual (vijnanamaya) and spiritual (anandamaya) levels within him/her.

Meditation (Dhyana) is one of the important principles of Yoga. It is the seventh limb of the eight limb Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Meditation implies focusing mind’s energy at one point to create a deep state of relaxation and tranquility. Meditation helps in achieving the strength of will. It helps to connect one to his/her actual “self”. Meditation calms one’s mind, enriches concentration leading the meditator to a heightened level of awareness. It eliminates the veils of life, cleanses the mind and the soul and make an individual realize that God is the ultimate truth. Through meditative practices, a person can reach a state of emotional bliss.

Music has a universal appeal. Human body, mind and soul are extremely sensitive to music, sounds and vibrations. Music and sound can influence mental aspects and processes in a human being. Music can create a flow of melody which induces concentration in the listening mind. Since ancient periods, musical instruments were used as a training support for yoga practices and meditation. In recent times too, music invokes strong mood that helps one to concentrate. Today, many record label companies offer DVDs and CDs which contain chants and hymns for daily morning prayers and yoga and meditation. These Yoga DVDs contain enchanting mantras which penetrate in the deeper layers of the human mind helping him/her to merge with his/her actual ’self’.

Spirit Voyage is one such record label company which guides you in a journey of spiritual insight. With its Yoga Music CDs and DVDs, the company infuses inspiring and devotional thoughts within an individual. Experience the bliss and delight and sooth your inner self with the Kundalini Yoga Music from Spirit Voyage. Artistes who have lend their voices in Spirit Voyage Yoga DVDs have a deep spiritual connection with their music. The meditation music from Spirit Voyage will create a calm ambiance and help you get rid of all negative thoughts. Rejuvenate your senses as you listen to the sacred hymns and mantras sung and chanted by artistes like Mirabai Ceiba, Snatam Kaur, Wah, Deuter, Dev Suroop Kaur Khalsa and many others.

Spirit Voyage does not only offers yoga music CDs and DVDs, but also brings various kinds of yoga accessories like yoga rugs, malas and jeweleries, yoga cushions and many more. The yoga clothing offered by the company is made of natural fabric. The elasticity of these clothing allow the practitioner to perform yoga poses as well as meditation with utmost ease. The company also offers Yogi Tea. The yogi tea is made with organic ingredients and is an addition to a healthy lifestyle. Spirit Voyage offers exclusive collection of best Yoga books including Kundalini Yoga books, General Yoga Books, Health and Wellness Books. Selected from paths of Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Sivananda Yoga, these different yoga books contain in-depth instruction, information and images that will help you practice yoga with utmost perfection.

Today, in daily grinds of life, we undergo severe mental pressures and we often tend to lose our focus. Practice of yoga and meditation helps to comfort the mind and sets it up to concentrate on a stable entity. Asanas and dhyana help to channelize the mind and soul and lead them to a spiritual insight. Fluctuations of the mind ceases and one discover the all-encompassing stillness of mind. The individual attain a state of extreme peace and calmness, improve concentration level and increase his self awareness. According to the classical Yoga texts, one must go through several stages, to attain true states of meditation. The stages are concentration, contemplation and then ultimately absorption. Meditation helps to control tensions and relieves an individual from stress and finally guides him/her to the spiritual insight. Meditation weakens those elements of the mind which leads to negative thoughts. It helps to maintain and control the thought processes of the mind and helps to concentrate on a single point. By ceasing the fluctuations of the mind, meditation leads to the equilibrium of mind. Practicing meditation helps one experience a serene state of mind, which in the process, liberates him/her from anxiety, depression and stress.

By integrating body, mind and spirit, yoga offers emotional stability and clarity of mind. The negative thoughts are effaced and the practitioner experiences a positive vibe from within. The material attachments of life becomes less important as the mortal can connect himself to the universal whole. With proper breathing exercises (Pranayama), the energy within a human being is controlled and helps the individual to maintain health and promote evolution. Pranayama, coupled with yoga practice and meditation reduces everyday stress levels and boosts up the feeling of joy and serenity. With different yoga poses, the muscles of the body are relaxed and the heart beat and blood pressure is controlled. The physical and mental benefits of yoga provide a natural counterbalance to stress, and strengthen the relaxation response in daily life.

Yoga and meditation are steady and comfortable ways to free oneself from pessimism, obsession, greed and lust. Rather, yoga and meditation practice leads a way for reaching a spiritual high, when a human being can identify his actual inner self and realize the divine connection of oneness with the Supreme.

The author writes for Spirit Voyage which features a collection of yoga music and meditation musicand multiple yoga accessories. This site essentially tend to infuse a spirit of harmony and peace of mind and body with its collection of yoga DVDs, yoga clothing and books.

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Yoga may be not the first activity anyone thinks of when they find the activities to control weight. There are controversial views exist about yoga and weight loss. Someone who practicing yoga claim that yoga can help you lose weight easily butdisagreed people still think that it is not that form of exercise which results in weight control as some cardiovascular activity like aerobic or jogging. So the question that is it possible to lose weight by yoga? Let’s find the reasonable answer in the article.

Each form of yoga is used for a different purpose. Some forms may help about strength and flexibility but the other forms as power yoga can accelerate calorie burning. Generally, calories burned during yoga vary widely from 180 to 360 per hour depend on what is type of yoga. That is mean if your poses are tougher and harder, you can burn more calories as well. By choosing the right form, you can lose weight by yoga.

 A popular form of yoga for weight loss is hot yoga. Hot yoga composes of 26 poses executed continuously in a room with 37 – 40 degree Celsius. This type of yoga, weight loss is made easier because your muscles can be warmed and can burn fatmore efficiently. The other benefits are detoxifying the body and having a healthy circulatory system, increasing heart rate, helping many of your bodily systems and functions – digestion which your appetite will decrease and lose all your cravings for unhealthful foods.

Whoever gains too much weight may begin to lose weight by yoga. Hatha yoga has low impact exercise, low impact in nature. Although it does not burn as much as highimpact exercise like aerobic activity, you will notice a higher degree of strength and flexibility. When the muscles are sufficiently improved, more calories are burned.

Gentle yoga is also a good way to start slowly, if you are new to yoga. To avoid injuries from practicing, you should begin from easy routine and follow by the instructor strictly. However, if you decide to lose weight by yoga you must be patient because it will not help you losing weight as fast as exercising by some cardiovascular exercise. Eating healthy food and getting enough sleep are the important factors to control your weight also.

 In the end of the articles it could be concluded that a person can lose weight with yoga but it will take time more than doing cardiovascular activity. If you are a type of person who needs to lose a lot of weight, exercising by cardiovascular activity along with yoga practice will give more good result.

yoga is good for long term result. If you are serious to lose weight more 10 pounds in a short time. I highly recommend the “calorie shifting diet” to help you lose weight 9 pounds in 11 days

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