Increase energy, relieve stress, find balance—yogic breathing for every level
Pranayama, translated as the extension of one’s life force, can help you improve focus, relieve stress, and deepen your yoga practice—simply through breathing. Essential Pranayama offers clear, approachable breath techniques and exercises for all levels of practitioner. Whether you’re experienced with yoga and breathwork or just beginning to explore, this guide will help you quickly feel the benefits of pranayama techniques.
Discover both the modern scientific perspectives and the traditional wisdom around the effects of pranayama on the body and mind. Learn the building blocks of the techniques and find out how to sequence them to address your specific needs. You can use the short practices during a brief quiet moment in your day—or expand your yoga and meditation routines with longer combinations.
Essential Pranayama includes:
60 breathing exercises—These individual techniques and sequences have the power to energize, calm, improve digestion, cool your body, and much more.
Simple and concise—Each technique can be performed in 15 minutes or less, making it easy to fold pranayama methods into your daily habits.
Practical—Optimize your experience with tips for arranging your physical space, using equipment, and keeping your practice comfortable.
Unlock greater peace and wellness with the simple techniques of Essential Pranayama.
Author(s): Givens, Jerry
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 203
Tags: Essential Pranayama offers clear, approachable breath techniques and exercises for all levels of practitioner
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Introduction
How to Use This Book
One: All About Pranayama
Two: The Building Blocks of Breath
Three: Beginner (Adhama)
Natural Breathing
Expanded Breathing
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Makarasana Breathing
Sama Vritti
Reclined Pure Breath
Dirgha Pranayama
Calming Ujjayi Pranayama
Simhasana Pranayama
Balancing Nadi Shodhana
Calming Nadi Shodhana
Kapalabhati
Bhramari Pranayama
Sheetali Pranayama
Sheetkari Pranayama
Four: Intermediate (Madhyama)
Seated Pure Breath
Balancing Ujjayi Pranayama
Intermediate Calming Ujjayi Pranayama
Energizing Ujjayi Pranayama
Intermediate Kapalabhati
Clarifying Kapalabhati
Bhastrika Pranayama
Rolling Bhastrika Pranayama
Intermediate Balancing Nadi Shodhana
Intermediate Calming Nadi Shodhana
Energetic Nadi Shodhana
Balancing Krama Pranayama
Calming Krama Pranayama
Energizing Krama Pranayama
Sheetali Anuloma Pranayama
Five: Advanced (Uttama)
Advanced Balancing Nadi Shodhana
Advanced Calming Nadi Shodhana
Advanced Energetic Nadi Shodhana
Balancing Ujjayi Krama Pranayama
Calming Ujjayi Krama Pranayama
Energizing Ujjayi Krama Pranayama
Energizing Kapalabhati
Calming Kapalabhati
Advanced Bhastrika Pranayama
Advanced Sheetali Anuloma Pranayama
Anuloma Pranayama
Pratiloma Pranayama
Chandra Bhedana Pranayama
Surya Bhedana Pranayama
Moorcha Pranayama
Six: Pranayama in Practice
Natural Balance
A Clear Day
Expansive Calm
Awaken Intuition
Deep Stillness
Strong Beast
Moving the Block
Big Balance
Clear, Calm, Collected
Steady as You Go
Digestive Fire
Calm Winds
Still Waters
Awaken Greatness
Build Your Own Sequence!
Resources
References
Acknowledgments
About the Author
