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This approach is based on a specialized sequence of
postures and a focus awareness of the breath. Ujjayi
breathing is performed by creating a soft sound in the
back of the throat while inhaling and exhaling through
the nose. You maintain the awareness and rhythm of
the breath throughout the practice while you link one
posture to the next. This dynamic union of body and
breath is a healing process that cleans and tones the
body, mind and senses.The term Pranayama in its strictly technical sense
denotes the conscious regulation of respiratory pattern
culminating into complete silencing of respiratory
activity. But used in its wider conceptual sense it actually
indicates the operation for gaining a gradual control over
the gross vegetative functions of the body organs and the
subtle higher functions of the brain.
Pranayama is like a very sharp sword and so a great
caution is necessary when practicing it. The practice of
Pranayama has always been considered as an essential
step for spiritual development.
Prana which works all over the body uses some specific
channels through which it moves. These channels or
passages are known as Nadi. These Nadis have been
interpreted as psychic nerves in the subtle body.
According to the ancient scriptures there is not a single
part of the human body which has not been contacted by
any of the Nadis. There are thousands of Nadis within
the body and it is mentioned that all of the Nadis, of
which three are major, are like lotus fibres running
downward from the skull and are supported by the
spinal column.
Even the term Hathayoga is linked with Pranayama. ‘Ha’
denotes activity of the Pingala nadi situated on the right
side of the spinal column and represented by Surya, the
Sun. ‘Tha’ denotes the activity of the Ida Nadi situated on
the left side of the spinal column and represented by
Chandra, the Moon.
The integration of these two polarities which leads to the
activation of central nadi i.e. Sushumna is one of the
goals of Hathayoga and Pranayama is the most important
technique used by Hathayogis for this purpose.
Ida Nadi starts on the left side of the base of the spine
and while traversing in spiral way reaches the upper
opening of the left nostril. Ida is primarily responsible for
all those activities which are anabolic or constructive in
nature, which conserve the energy and give a cooling
effect to the body. It is also symbolically denoted as a
female aspect with a blue color and represented by
moon as its deity.
Pingala Nadi arises from the right side of the spine and
while traversing spirally reaches the upper opening of the
right nostril. It is responsible for all those activities which
are catabolic, destructive or energy consuming in nature
and which generate the heat in the body. It is
symbolically denoted as a male aspect with a red
color and represented by the sun as its deity.
Sushumna Nadi starts from the base of the spine and
traverses up along the spinal column up to the opening
in the base of the skull, reaching the brain. In normal
circumstances Prana never operates through this Nadi.
When through the Yogic procedures Prana is made to
enter the Sushumna and is allowed to reach the highest
centre, it is known as manifestation of serpent power or
Kundalini.
When the nadis are purified by regular practice of
Pranayama, the Prana penetrates the mouth of
Sushumna. Thus Pranayama is always being considered
as one of the most effective practice amongst yogic
discipline.
Along with the Sushumna there are six nodal points or
centres, through which the Ida and Pingala cris-cross
each other in a spiral way. These centres are known as
Chakras and are responsible for the different levels of
consciousness as well as for the control of various
internal organs.
On the arousal of Kundalini, when the Prana starts rising
through each of these centres, the energy field in each
centre gets activated thereby influencing the internal
functions and also the different levels of consciousness.
These energy centres along with the Sushumna get
stimulated one by one when the Kundalini ascends
through it giving rise to a variety of subjective
experiences. These Chakras represent an hierarchical
evolution from gross functions at the lower centres to
progressively refined ones at higher centres.
Thai Massage is based on the concept of a network
of invisible energy lines called Sen, running through the
body forming a second skin comprised of 72,000 energy
lines of which ten are of special importance. Massaging
these points make it possible to treat certain disease and
to relieve pain. The yoga background is obvious from all
of the yoga postures used when applying the massage.
The weekend includes the application and the receiving
of Thai massage with a partner.
