A YOGIC HACK TO BLISS

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When I first started studying to be a yoga instructor, part of my requirement was to attend a certain number of classes as a student to not just get in my practice hours, but to learn from many other instructors, and also the various specialty classes that were available at my yoga school MAYI.

It was here that I had my first real foray into the untold realms of Pranayama. The class was simply called Breath and Mind, the instructor and the experience of the class however took to me to an experience that changed my life forever!

I know it sounds dramatic, but that's because it was. I should however place a huge disclaimer here. Each and every one of us experiences yoga, pranayama and meditation differently - not just because we are different individuals having different life experiences, but even within ourselves. As a practitioner, we can have very different experiences each and every sitting - it could be a combination of our environmental, physiological or emotional states, or just that our mind is focused on different aspects of our growth and psychology.

So, what happened in this class? Well, we started off with a series of breathing techniques. The instructor explained them, demonstrated them, and then we practiced the same. We did about 5 of these different techniques. Then towards the end of the class we did a short meditative practice. I have never experienced such a deeply resonating peace within my soul. It extended beyond the premises of the class. It stayed with me all through the long drive home. This meditative and relaxed state of mind continued through my time at home, all the way till bedtime. In fact, it shifted a psychological aspect within me. I have a lot of anxiety with keeping a house clean. I have since relaxed tremendously, but even then, I realised that day that my actions were DRIVEN by anxiety and not by choice. IN that moment, my choice was to put my energy to better use and NOT wash the dishes. It was a deeply satisfying decision. The impact of this decision, was a realisation that shifted my perspective even till today. I DON'T HAVE to DO IT, I CHOOSE to DO IT. This may seem like a minute difference, but the repercussions in our psyche is huge. In the first, we are compelled by outside ideas of perfection that eat away at our self image. The latter creates a vast space of self acceptance and allows us to choose our actions in the day that bring us JOY and SATISFACTION.

All this from BREATHING? Yes, all of that from breathing. When done with sincerity, the practice of Pranayama creates a deep meditative state. In fact, it is one of the greatest YOGIC HACKS to BLISS!

Pranayama - What It IS

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Pranayama is derived from two sanskrit words - Prana and Yama. Prana refers to the 'life force' energy that encompasses not just the air we breathe but the energetic currents that runs through our body and through all of the universe. Yama means 'restraint' or 'control'. So, in essence, pranayama is the control through the restraints we place on this breath.

The restraints spoken of here is not just about holding your breath, but the intervals in which the breath is held, for how long, and the intervals in which the breath is held in fullness (after inhalation) and the intervals in emptiness (after exhalation). In fact, more than the inhalation and exhalation process, the yogic science of pranayama delves deep into the spaces of where the breath is held. It is called Kumbaka. As a practitioner advances in her mastery of these techniques, the breathing process becomes very smooth. And during intervals of practice, one can achieve a state of breathlessness - or non-breathing. You would be inclined to think this is dangerous or scary. It is quite the opposite.

Having experienced this breathlessness state myself in my first ever class - it was magical. I couldn't believe how energised, alive and clear I was. Through the varies steps and techniques my respiratory system had been cleansed, my organs energised, and my mind calm and blissful.

Pranayama - What It DOES

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Pranayama at the physical level impacts the entire body system simply through the breathing mechanism. Let's have a look at it in more detail below.

Physiologically

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In relation to the simple inhalation and exhalation process, we are moving and expanding the organs related to breathing and the organs that surround the respiratory system.

In the deep inhalation and exhalation process, we first and foremost start utilising every single part of this respiratory system. There is one method for this called the Yogic Breathing technique. Here we take in air to our full capacity and retain it so that more oxygen is absorbed into the alveoli of the lungs.

Further to that we gently massage and expand the diaphragm and alveoli to improve it's function and capacity. Next, we gently massage the surrounding organs through the pumping action in the abdomen. The stomach, liver, spleen and intestines receive a gentle movement and pumping action - especially so, when we do the vigorous pumping breaths of Kapalabhati and Bhastrika that expel carbon dioxide and increase the uptake of saturated oxygen through the improved circulation of blood in these organs.

Finally, the sympathetic nervous system is calmed down as the parasympathetic system kicks into high gear bringing the body into a rest and restoration mode.

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Emotionally

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IN cases of anxiety - breathing becomes difficult when one panics. In depression, though one breathes normally, often times it is shallow breathing, and most individuals suffering from depression have lack of energy as a result of the physiological suppression within their system. For those who suffer from stress and anger, their breathing is often rapid and aberrant.

At the root of our emotional conditions is our breath. Through the regular practice of pranayama our bodily systems begin to reset and return to a more balanced state. In the meantime, certain techniques when practiced during our bouts of anxiety, depression, stress or anger - can create a calming or energising effect depending on the nature of the practice and the type of desired result.

As a general rule, the proper practice creates a calm and meditative state of mind. Even for those suffering from depression, as though one is calm, the circulation of prana is high after a practice, meaning life force energy and oxygen is at its optimal level for the body.

Psychologically

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One of the greatest markers of psychological mastery is the mastery over our minds. This can look and feel different at various points throughout the day.

Mastery of the mind could be something as simple as not getting caught up and running away with a fearful thought, distracting thought or a highly paranoid narrative in our mind. We all have this. What is this happens, what if this doesn't happen, what if he says this, what if she does that .... and so on and so forth.

Mastery of the mind could also be something as powerful as staying so clear headed and focused upon a task, project or meeting at hand.

Mastery of the mind could be changing our negative self talk altogether, and instead shifting our focus to our passion that drives us joyfully - the choices we make from our calm and centered state.

Mastery of the mind is also the discipline we start to learn in order to take better care of ourselves.

Ultimately, a lot of this has to do with the choices we make, but if that choice starts with doing a short practice that will change the course and direction of your day to day life, then in due time the impact in has in our life path could only be nothing short of remarkable.

Spiritually

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Pranayama is purportedly THE ultimate practice towards which all the ancient yogis strived towards. The asana practice in Hatha yoga is meant to prepare the body towards the ultimate practice of pranayama and the subsequent meditative states. From there various kriya practices then propels the yogi into greater depths of spiritual experiences and realisations.

My take on this is - it is the Yogic Hack to Bliss. And this can be done with a simple 90:10 rule with 90% of the practice being pranayama and 10% of the practice being meditation, we are able to achieve what many long time meditators experience after years of practice - a deep sense of calm, presence, clarity and awareness. Scientists measure this with EEG (electroencephelogram) readings showing theta and/or gamma wave lenghts which are highly indicative of these meditative states.

Now once you have reached a meditative state, where your experiences take you from there is highly individual. we all have different learning experiences. In spirituality however, I believe each day is a learning experience, for it is all about the journey as there IS NO destination ;)

Pranayama and Me

I'm all about efficiency and the quickest and safest paths, so it only made sense that after my Pranayama class, I signed up for the first Pranayama Instructor course that was offered at my school.

Having completed the program earlier this year and putting it together with some of my visualisation techniques from meditation and hypnotherapy is proving to be some of the best classes I am having with my students. The best part, I even have students who practice this all the way across the world by simply following the recorded sessions. Learning of the impact it had in their lives was a humbling wow moment for me!

The science is indeed solid.

The ancients knew what they were doing, and it is such a blessing that we now have such open access to these techniques today compared to the inaccessibility these ancient techniques even as recently as 50 years ago.

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Previous Posts of Interest:

On yoga, creativity and leadership:

The Art of Living through the Science of Yoga
Breathe and Thinketh Not
Yoga and Leadership Series: #3 Practitioner to Instructor
How to Relieve Writer's Block using Backbends and Downward Facing Dogs!
Yoga and Leadership Series: #2 Yogini to an Entrepreneur - an Insight to Yoga and Spirituality
Yoga and Leadership Series: #1 Introduction - A Brief History of Yoga

MY Ikigai:

What I LOVE: Writing about life, expressing ideas, poetry, haiku, short stories and motivational quips. Practicing yoga and internal reflections, walks in nature, compassionate acts towards nature, animals and humanity.

What I OFFER the world: Innovative solution to Creative Self-Expression. With a passion for Creativity, Innovation, Integrity and Authenticity in thoughts, words, and deeds.

What I am/can be PAID FOR: Writing, teaching yoga, books (in the making), training, facilitating. And hopefully to sit and spin out creative ideas/solutions at whim!

What I'm GOOD at: Hypnotising my Yoga students apparently! Writing from the heart, being a hopeless romantic, passionate utopian, innovator and creator of all things fun and uplifting.

The IKIGAI - SoulArist

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