Pranayama Yoga
I practice and teach Pranayama Yoga in Birmingham, UK. As an instructor and Complementary Therapist, I have become aware of the therapeutic powers of yoga.
There are over 200 various forms of yoga and people tend to be drawn to which ever form suits their need at certain times in their life.
For example, Ashtanga yoga is very physical. Raj yoga is purely spiritual. Hatha yoga combines the physical and spiritual.
Pranayama yoga, however, is very gentle. It teaches the art of relaxation. It is non religious and non competitive. This way of life gives the perfect attitude of mind to harmonize with reality. And above all, the practical peace of mind sought by one and all.
What is Pranayama Yoga?
As already stated, Pranayama yoga in its very essence is gentle, it is, perhaps the gentleness that attracts most people towards this form of yoga. It specifically teaches the art of relaxation and relaxation like any other subject can be learned.
Tension, usually revolves around certain areas of our life. Around our families, friends, relations and our work. It is in this "giving" to each source of stress that tension creeps in.
So we learn in this form of yoga to first be aware of these various sources of tension in our own lives and then very gently how to let go.
We are taught a very specific mind relaxation exercise known as "the slip-second" How to let go, how to detach from these various aspects of demands in our own life.
All tension begins in the mind. Practising this simple, yet profound exercise, three times a day, will bring clarity of thought and give the mind the capacity to meet all demands made on it for up to 8 hours without any fatigue.
We then learn specific breathing exercises.The mind,body and breath are so interconnected that each influences the other on an ongoing basis.
The History of Pranayama Yoga
Pranayama yoga has its roots in Banares, India. It originated 6000 years ago and was developed by a man named Yoga Krishna.
Krishna, at that time witnessed other sidhus, mystics and yoga teachers going off into mountains in solitude to practice their yoga and meditation.
But Krishna found himself too caught up in his day to day life, with a young wife and children who needed and depended on him to follow such a path. Consequently, he developed the art of detachment. The art of relaxation, without leaving his everyday life, one of the aspects of this form of yoga that makes it so unique.
The teachings of Pranayama yoga have been passed on from person to person, unchanged for 6000 years. One such person was a lady named Sunita Cabral. Born in 1932, she was a graduate of Bombay University. She was a teacher of classical Indian dancing an and a successful concert pianist in her own country before taking up yoga.
She was, by religion a Brahmin, which meant she had a marriage arranged for her. Unfortunately she didn't like the man she was going to marry and ran away. She went into a convent to become a nun as she felt that this was the only option open to her. She stayed there for five years, becoming a shadow of her former self and grew more and more unhappy, until one day the convent gates were open and she fled.
Sunita went back home but she was shunned by her family and friends grew more lonely and isolated.
One of the ways she used to escape the pain and isolation she felt was to walk along the beach by where she lived. It was there she met her teacher Narainswami, who took her under his wing and began to teach her pranayama yoga in its entirety.
Pranayama yoga,consisting of over 300 various yoga postures, Sunita became an expert, practising up to 16 hours a day.
Sunita grew stronger and healthier, married a man of her choice and came to the UK in 1959.
She began to condense the yoga down to fit into the western way of life. The yoga I practice and teach is the legacy of Sunita Cabral.
It is taught throughout the UK within Adult Education establishments, private classes, Universities and other places.
Sunita wrote a book, which you can order on line www.pranayama-yoga.co.uk. This is the official web site for Pranayama yoga. You can make enquires regarding classes in your area, tapes, books and any other enquiries you may have.
I personally have classes throughout Birmingham and can provide home-visits if necessary - please contact me for more details.
What is involved in Pranayama Yoga?
Whenever you are anxious your breath will change. Whenever you are angry your breath will change. If you are depressed the breath changes.
In fact every emotion you have will affect the breath in some way. Knowing this gives us a great tool to use to break the pattern of all those states of mind mentioned above.Through specific breathing exercises that will help to soothe and restore the mind towards calmness.
We are taught specific breathing exercises to help alleviate anxiety, panic, depression, anger, asthma, palpitations, hysteria, and so much more.
After the breathing exercises we learn a unique sequence of physical exercises that keep the body supple and improve the circulation.
There are over 300 hundred various exercises involved in Pranayama yoga.
Sunita condensed the yoga to fit into the western way of life so as to not take too much time, but also to not lose any of the benefits. That is, to give the required frame of mind to live in today's society, free from tension.
The physical exercises, breathing exercises and most importantly the slip-second exercise are very much part of that whole process towards practical peace of mind.
We then finish with deep relaxation exercises.When perfected, this will give the body the energy it needs to meet all physical demands made upon it for up to 8 hours without any fatigue.
Is Pranayama Yoga for you?
In this form of yoga you have a complete system that induces calmness through mind, breath and body.
You have a philosophy that will not let you down. One that teaches acceptance of life on life's terms, not your own.
By living in the moment, doing one thing at a time and periodically detaching from reality in order to meet all demands made upon you.
Your attitude will change and it is your attitude of mind that makes a difference from tension into relaxation.
IT IS A WONDERFUL FORM OF YOGA, one that is within reach of anyone, any age and any physical condition.
It can act as a foundation for living. If it's right for you you will know it.
I would genuinely say it has been my saving grace and still in many ways continues to be so. It could have many benefits for you.
Please email me if you would like to know more, or please log onto the official web site listed above and begin there.
Aromatherapy Birmingham ~ Reflexology Birmingham ~ Relaxation Birmingham ~ Yoga Birmingham ~ EFT Birmingham ~ Stress Management Birmingham ~ NLP Coaching Birmingham
Tel: Stuart 0773 445 9908
