Life begins with an inhalation and ends with an exhalation. It is a universal truth, common to every living being. Breathing is the first and last gesture of our existence. Yet, it is often the most overlooked.
Pranayama (from the Sanskrit “Prana” = vital energy, “Ayama” = extension or control) is one of the most profound and transformative practices of yoga. It is not just about breathing exercises, but a real method for directing and amplifying vital energy, in order to harmonize body, mind and spirit.
According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the fundamental texts of yoga, pranayama represents one of the eight branches of yoga. It is practiced before and after the asanas, the physical positions, which have the task of preparing the body making it stable, flexible and free from tension. Only when the body is calm and under control, can we truly listen to the breath.
Why is breathing so important?
Breathing is the bridge that connects the body to the mind. When we are agitated or under stress, our breathing becomes short and labored. When we are calm and relaxed, it becomes deep and regular. Learning to breathe consciously means learning to regulate our internal states.
Through pranayama we can:
- Calm the mind and reduce anxiety and stress (e.g. with Nadi Shodhana or Anuloma Viloma)
- Revitalize the body and increase energy (e.g. with Kapalabhati or Bhastrika)
- Balance emotions and improve mental clarity
- Strengthen the respiratory muscles and increase lung capacit
- Promote concentration, memory and cognitive functions
- Purify the body, eliminating toxins through tissue oxygenation
A daily gesture that can change everything
You don't have to wait to be on the mat to practice pranayama. Just two or three minutes, several times a day, to stop, close your eyes, and reconnect with your breathing. It's a simple gesture, but one with enormous power. Especially in our hectic days, conscious breathing is an anchor, an inner refuge.
Prana is not just the air we breathe. It is the vital energy that permeates the entire universe, which we absorb through breathing, but also through food, water, sunlight, relationships and thoughts. This is why yoga also gives great importance to:
- Hygiene of the nose and tongue
- Slow and conscious chewing
- A light, natural and vital diet
The nasal mucosa, the nerve endings of the tongue, the throat and the lungs are channels through which we absorb and distribute prana in the body. pranayama is therefore the art of expanding our vital energy and our awareness. It is not just about physical or mental well-being, but a journey towards a higher consciousness.
Practicing pranayama regularly leads to an inner state of deep calm, mental stability and spiritual connection. It is the gateway to meditation, the next step in yoga.
Breath is always with you. It is your silent teacher, your inner compass. Start noticing it. Sit down. Breathe. Slow down. And watch how, by breathing consciously, your life also changes pace.
A hug!