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How
Pranayam Works
There are many
scientific studies showing that Pranayam influences cognition, hypertension,
acts as a stress reliever, helps in overcoming depression etc.
Dr. Shannahoff-Khalsa and
his colleagues at the University of California, Davis quoted “This yogic
breathing technique may have useful application in treating psycho-physiological
disorders with hemispheric imbalances and disorders with autonomic abnormalities"
(International Journal of Neurosciences, 1993 Nov;73(1-2):61-8).
These effects are due to the influence of the forced air on a spot in the
nostril which triggers effects in the brain.
Another scientific aspect of Pranayam is that it brings a positive feeling
in the individual which is a very important factor in healing. The more optimistic
the attitude the better the healing. The atmosphere we breathe normally is
full of positive and negative ions. Air conditioning, lack of ventilation,
and long dry spells remove negative ions, which usually serve to latch
onto airborne dirt particles and wrestle them to the floor, rendering
the air purer. Roughly one-third of the population seems to be particularly
sensitive to negative ion depletion. The proportion of negative ions is
highest around moving water -storms, oceans, rivers and waterfalls. It's
no wonder that we feel so energized at the beach! The best ratios of negative
to positive ions are associated with waterfalls and the time before, during,
and after storms. The worst are found in windowless rooms and closed,
moving vehicles. Air purifiers work typically by emitting negative ions,
which purify the room air by attaching to impurities and making them sink.
High concentrations of negative ions are essential for high energy
and a positive mood. In fact, Marian Diamond, a professor of
Neuro-Anatomy
at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that levels of negative
ions are inversely related to levels of serotonin in the brain. Negative
ions suppress serotonin levels in much the same way that natural sunlight
suppresses melatonin. Hence,the invigorating effect of fresh air and sunshine
and the correspondingly depressed feelings associated with being in a closed
and dark space! If you deplete the air of negative ions, you experience an
increase in serotonin and its attendant drowsiness and relaxation—not
exactly
what you need when mental agility is demanded of you. Diamond's research, along
with other information on ions, is summarized in Yepsen (1987).
Pranayam and Positivity
In an interesting twist, Josh Backon, a member of the Department of
Cardiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, writes in an
internet posting (email address is backon@vms.huji.ac.il) that in
order to increase left hemisphere activity (linear, language,
logical), one can block the left nostril and engage in "forced
unilateral nostril breathing." Likewise, to increase right
hemisphere activity (creative, holistic, emotional), the right
nostril should be blocked. This practice increases the supply of
negative ions to a specific hemisphere. (The above information is
from the
Negative Ion Information
center.
Pranayam
and Bio Feedback Therapy
After mastering Pranayam, combine it with bio feedback therapy. When
you inhale fresh air, feel that you are inhaling the air to heal
yourself. When you
hold the air, feel that the air is going to the region or organ of your illness
and feel this air removing all the toxins and other
impurities. Feel that organ or tissue becoming healthy. Feel the love
towards that organ. Feel the nurturing action, as you
would nurture your sick child. Gently rub your hand externally over the
region of illness with love as you would rub your child’s body when
he is sick. This gives immense power to the organ to heal. We have
personal experience of patients who did this and attained remarkable healing.
Not only during Pranayam, this thought during the entire Five Element
Healing
will intensify the process.
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