Breathing is what keeps us and makes us feel alive. It is not a biological process but also a connection between body thoughts and the inner state of mind. While the physical yogic postures take the main stage yoga practice, Yoga masters and the yoga scriptures emphasize the importance of breath work especially pranayama.

The yogic breath work in this ancient science of yoga no matter the style of yoga, you are into. Whether it is Hatha yoga or Ashtanga yoga, your rhythm and flow is determined by how you involve the breath work alongside the physical practice.

The right breath work will not only enhance and elevate your yoga routine but will also improve your awareness overall health and your insights to deepen your practice. Pranayama plays especially an important role in the Hatha and Ashtanga styles of yoga and becomes the core connection to transform you a simple practitioner to an elevated yogi.

Why Pranayama is the core of yoga?

Breath work is an involuntary function that not only keeps us alive but truly transforms our being when done with consciousness. So it is a powerful tool that can be controllable and put in great use for transformation.

How Pranayama prepares yogis for yoga teacher training courses

Pranayama in yoga Teacher Training is a central part of the entire discipline. The right breath work techniques will not only boost the oxygen flow and lung capacity. But also relaxes your nervous system, bring down cortisol levels in the body, improves focus, concentration, emotional balance as well as regulate your digestion, metabolism and your inner body connection. Today, even modern science stresses the importance of pranayama in activating the parasympathetic nervous system to enhance one’s overall well being.

Role of Pranayama in Hatha yoga

Hatha Yoga is called as the mother of all styles of yoga. It is one of the most basic and foundational yoga styles that prepares the practitioner to take on different and advanced styles of yoga. The role of pranayama in Hatha yoga is supposed to be gentle, done with awareness, accuracy and stability.

Builds a foundation for higher practice

The beauty of Hatha Yoga is that it not only views breath work as a connecting bridge between the physical asana practice and training the inner state of mind through meditation. But it also helps in stabilizing the mind so that it gets regulated and stable.

Brings balance in the Moon and Sun energy : Ida and Pingla

As per the Yoga philosophies our body consist of two kinds of energy. One is the Ida energy which reflects the moon energy and symbolizes calmness and cooling properties. And the other is the Pingala energy which symbolizes the sun energy and is responsible for activities and heating.

By practices such as Nadi Shodhana one can bring balance between these energies and hatha therefore plays an important role in stabilizing emotions and boosting mental clarity.

Breathwork techniques used in Hatha yoga

The reason that Hatha Yoga is called as the mother of all yoga styles is because it has some important breath work techniques such as alternate nostril breathing that is Nadi Shodhana, Humming Bee breath – Brahmari, Cleansing breath – Kapalabhati, Victorious breath – Ujjayi and the cooling breaths – Sheetali and Sheetkari. Usually these techniques are used in the asana practice as well as before the meditation to help relax the body and the nervous system.

The role of Pranayama in Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga has been made globally popular by Shree K Patabhi Jois. He educated the world about meditation in motion and how breath work becomes the core of the dynamic Ashtanga style. The difference between Hatha and Ashtanga is that unlike Hatha yoga Ashtanga integrates the breath work along with the ongoing movement and asana practice rather than being separately practiced in the Hatha Yoga.

Breath becomes the rhythm of movement

In Ashtanga, breath truly becomes the rhythm of the movement. The reason that it is called meditation in movement is because the entire practice of Ashtanga style relies on pranayama especially the Ujjayi pranayama. This synchronized breath work and body movement with conscious inhalation and exhalation of breaths help create a rhythm.

Breath, Bandha and Drishti

The Ashtanga style has also been told to be the athlete’s yoga. It focuses on a three-fold method that combines the pranayama (breath work), energy (Bandha) and the gaze point that is Drisht. It basically creates a triad where the Yogi remains fully engaged and present in the practice without any distractions and heightened awareness about body and mind.

Detoxification through breathwork and heat

Since Ashtanga Yoga Pranayama Practices follows a certain flow of dynamic postures along with deep breath work techniques. The practice creates an internal heat and fosters detoxification through sweat release. As a result the practitioner experiences detoxification through breath work and enhanced energy and stamina.

 What People Also Ask (PAA) about

What do the yogic scriptures speak about pranayama?

The yoga scriptures breakdown the word pranayama into Prana which means the life force and Ayam which is basically expansion. So, as per the yogic philosophy pranayama is the vital life force that controls energy through breath.

What are the benefits of pranayama in yoga practice?

Inculcating active breath work in one’s yoga practice will bring down stress levels, boost digestion, metabolism, enhance oxygen flow, lung capacity as well as relax the nervous system to prepare the body for a deepened mind body connection.

What are the therapeutic breath work benefits in hatha yoga?

Pranayam in Hatha Yoga promotes emotional grounding, improve sleep digestion and brings an overall balance between body and breath.

Does Ashtanga foster discipline and clarity?

Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most excellent practices that boosts mental discipline as well as clarity. The demanding sequences of Ashtanga requires the practitioner to stay calm while being fully engaged physically and mentally in the practice.

Is there a certain course that offers both Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga styles along with breath work?

The 200 hours Ytt offered by authentic yoga schools like Adiyogam based in Arambol Goa offers a comprehensive package. Their 200 hours yoga teacher training in Goa, Covers Hatha and Ashtanga styles of yoga teacher training and involves the apt use of pranayama practice to Bring stability and mind body connection.