Bikram Yoga Postures

Archive for the ‘Anuloma Viloma Pranayama’ Category

“Yoga has a message for the human body, for the human mind and the human spirit”. This was what Swami Kuvalyanand said a long time ago.

Because a healthy body is the main requirement to be happy and successful in life, this phrase is true after all.  Many people now think that Yoga is not just an exercise regimen; this is also good for your health, and would make you feel contented and happy in the midst of a stressful life of the modern days.

Anuloma-Viloma (alternate breathing) pranayama is going to be discussed in this article.  “Management” of the vital force (prana), is the literal meaning of Pranayama.  There are different types of Pranayama that have been developed. These types have their own techniques that are unique, although the basic principle of Pranayama is retained.  One of the basic forms of Pranayama is the Anuloma-Viloma or nadi shuddhi pranayama (which literally means nerve purifying pranayama).

You can imagine Anuloma Viloma as a squad that takes care of the overall wellness of a community. They regulate road traffic, keep traffic always moving in a smooth and efficient way, and take care of the overall cleanliness and beautification of the whole community.  This method includes the repeated breathing in using only one nostril (pooraka).  Thus Anuloma viloma is the term for “Pranayama” of alternate breathing.

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