Pranayama

Pranayama is a Sanskrit term and can be broken down in the following two ways:

1. Pranayama = Prana + Yama
or
2. Pranayama = Prana + Ayama

Yama means control in Sanskrit. So, the first way of Sandhi-Bichheda (or breaking down a complex word into simpler words) means the control of Prana. This is achieved through breath control.

Ayama means length in Sanskrit. So, the second way of breaking down Pranayama into Prana and Ayama signifies Pranic length or Pranic capacity, which can be achieved through the various practices, as described by Brahmavid Sam Yogi in his discourses on Ashtavakra Gita. Some useful practices are the following:

1. Bhastrika Pranayama
2. Nadi-Sodhana Pranayama

In particular, Nadi-Sodhana Pranayama, or the Psychic Network Purification, helps spiritual aspirant in purifying his / her mind-intellect-ego so that he / she can yoke (YOGA) the Atman (or the Individual soul) with Brahman (or the Supreme Soul or the one reality or the Holy Essence or the Truth Most Holy or God or the Heavenly Father or Allah or Ahur Majda or the Spirit-That-Moves-In-All-Things), and enjoy the bliss that is Brahman, and transcend the sorrow with which human beings seem to be afflicted all the time, in all the countries, in all possible social strata, at all possible education levels, in all possible races, at all times!

Nadi-Sodhana Pranayama is practiced using alternate nostril breathing techniques, while sitting in Siddhasana (for men) or Siddha-Yoni Asana (for women). It has a 100 steps, and one must proceed step-by-step. All the 100 steps can take YEARS to master, and there should be no hurry in one's quest for eternity and immortality. Guru Kripa (or kindness from the Spiritual Guide) can help the seeker proceed faster and faster on this Yogic Path. In particular, later steps are difficult, require longer durations of breath retention, and will require personal guidance by Sam Yogi. The beginning steps can be practiced from our Instruction Manual for Beginners. Write to us for more information. For doing "Mental Nadi-Sodhana Pranayama" during a Yogic Sleep (Yoga Nidra) exercise, please download this GUIDED YOGIC SLEEP PRACTICE mp3 file.

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