Pranayama - The Control of the Life Force.

This is a very interesting topic that has caught my attention and has made me dwell deeper into this fascinating world....Some of the things that I read, have been abridged in the following paras.

The knowledge of Prana/Life Force is an inevitable wealth a person must gain irrespective of his caste, religion or language.

We know that man can survive for months without food and water but cannot live for more than 30secs (normally), if he is denied of his breath.

In our busy day to day lives, the last thing we care about is breathing. We just know that breathing in of oxygen is vital for our sustenance. Nothing more..We dont even care to understand the huge importance of breathing. As a result, our breathing is short, fast and shallow. We use only a little capacity of our lungs. This is indeed detrimental for our health in the long run.

Prana: Prana, the life force or vital energy, is the center of all Yoga Practices. It is in the air, but it is not in oxygen. It is a subtle form of energy carried by the air, food, water and sunlight, and animates all forms of matter. Through best breathing practices (in the form of Pranayama), more Prana is taken in and stored in the body bringing great vitality and strength. (defn. frm web sources).

Pranayama involves controlling the intake and giving out of oxygen in the form of a specialized, beneficial process that includes giving appropriate pauses b/w inhalation and exhalation. It is one among the 5 principles of Yoga.

Here comes some scientific facts that backs up the effects of Pranayama:
Did you know?? We use only 10% of our brains...There are hidden areas in the brain comprising of the other 90% that is capable of providing humans with great potential capacities like Clairvoyance, intuition etc...
Life force/ Prana is said to have been concentrated below our stomach region called the Kundalini.
By doing Pranayama heat energy is produced in this Kundalini region that travels upwards along the right side of our spinal cord and reaches a lower portion of the brain called the Ajna Chakra. When this is practised regularly, the amount of heat energy accumulates in Ajna Chakra that will then penetrate into the the Hidden areas of the brain, thus helping us see the life and the world around us in its true unique sense....

Thus effective utilization of our brain is possible that will lead to a higher level of living in this world of illusions or Maya.
Mental problems, depressions, diseases etc. can be kept at bay. A true sense of bliss can be achieved in life. It is the sole solution to unsolved mysteries of the world.

This must be the reason why people are now turning into Yoga and pranayama now a days. In spite of its origin in India, the other countries are making the best available uses of these techniques that keep them fit and healthy.

It is a good sign that in this chaotic world, people all over the world are turning into these to lead a more balanced life.