This is the first breathing exercise in Bikram Yoga. The work "prana" is a Sanskrit word that refers to a vital, life sustaining force of all living begins: the breath. Pranayama is a technique used to control the movement of these vital energies within the body and in turn lead to an increase in vitality in the practitioner.
Because of sedentary habits, most people use only 10% of their lungs, never allowing the lungs to reach the maximum expansion capacity. Standing Deep Breathing teaches you to use the other 90% of your lungs. This exercise should be done before any kind of physical activity. Because it expands the lungs to their full capacity, it increases circulation to the whole body, waking everything up and preparing the muscles for action.
Click here to watch Pranayama in action! It might look easy, but nothing is easy in Bikram.
Apparently you begin to glow during exhalation :p
Benefits
- Good for lungs and respiratory system
- Helps with mental relaxation
- Helps high blood pressure
- Relieves irritability
- Good for detoxification
- Exercises nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems
Despite all of its benefits, Pranayama Series is one of my least favourite exercises. Thank goodness it's at the beginning of the class because I typically have the following conversation with myself during the series:
"Oh great, here we go again."
"Tell me about it. I hate this exercise!"
"Maybe I could slip out without being noticed..."
"Oooo and get a Frappuccino?"
"Mmmmm... Pranayama Frappuccino..."
Pranayama standing deep breathing helps prevent respiratory problems such as bronchitis, emphysema and shortness of breath.
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