Pranayama Practice: Samana Pranayama (Audio Recording)

Pranayama

In Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga, the 4th limb is dedicated to pranayama. Prana is that pervades the whole universe and all living things. Prana means “ vital life force” and ayama means “expansion”. Therefore, pranayama means “expansion of the vital life force”. As we practice pranayama, we are expanding our breath and the capacity of the lungs.

There are many forms of pranayama in Ayurveda. Some increase lunar energy like Adham Pranayama or Shitali Pranayama. While others increase solar energy like Kapalabhati Pranayama or Bhastrika Pranayama. Finally there are pranayama practices that balance both the lunar and solar energies like Nadi Shodana Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, or Ujjayi Pranayama.

In Ayurveda, there are five pranas also called vayus or subdoshas of vata. Vayu is another word for prana. It is also the cosmic force of the element of air, which is the main element associated with vata dosha. These five vayus control all the movement in our body; from the movement of digestion, respiration, circulation, elimination, reproduction, speech and communication plus so much more. The five vayus or five pranas are: Apana, Udana, Samana, Vyana and Prana. Each one of the five pranas has a corresponding pranayama practice to help bring balance into the powers of the air element.

Samana Pranayama

In this Ayurveda pranayama audio recording, you will be led through a 10 minute Samana Pranayama breathing practice. Samana Pranayama or the centering breath is associated with the vital energy of the navel which governs digestion. Samana breathing is used in Ayurveda to strengthen agni and the action of digestion not only of ahara or food, but also of impressions the mind takes in and the breath the lungs digests. Traditionally it has been used to help people with digestion, absorption, assimilation, transformation and metabolism. Samana Breath is related to digestion not only in the body but also in the mind. Samana Pranayama helps the mind to digest emotions, thoughts, experiences, and sensations. Now follow along as you are led through the Ayurveda breathing technique of samana pranayama or centering breath.