Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Svara Yoga Pranayama Mean?
Svara yoga pranayama is a breathing technique designed to control the breath by alternating breathing cycles through the right and left nostrils and over and away from different points inside the nostrils. The goal is to balance the flow of life-force energy (prana) through the body’s energy channels (nadis) for physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
The term comes from the Sanskrit svara, meaning “sound” or “tone”; yoga, meaning “union”; prana, meaning “breath of life” and ayama, which means “extending,” as well as “stopping” and “restraining.”
In English, Svara yoga pranayama it is known as “yoga of sound breath.”
Yogapedia Explains Svara Yoga Pranayama
Svara yoga is an ancient science that studies breath vibrations and rhythms and how they provide balance. This type of yoga seeks balance with the five elements (earth, water, fire, space and air) as well as in relation to the sun and moon, the planets, the seasons and even the time of day. Through Svara yoga pranayama, the yogi alters his breathing to harmonize these elements.
The simplest Svara yoga pranayama exercise is alternate-nostril breathing, or nadi shodhana pranayama, which involves inhaling through one nostril and exhaling through the other. But pranayama can be even more focused by concentrating on specific points inside the nostrils. Changes in body positions, or asanas, and hand mudras are also used to assist or enhance pranayama.
In addition to such physical benefits as reduced stress and increased oxygen flow, Svara yoga pranayama helps the yogi achieve self-knowledge and union with the higher Self.
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