Pranayama: Oxygen and Breathing Techniques

1. Lungs depend on the oxygen that is derived from water in order to keep the cells alive in our body.

Yoga is a comprehensive system of mind/body techniques that is thousands of years old. Its techniques are designed to improve physical and mental health and well being, and include such practices as physical postures and stretching, breathing exercises (pranayama), focused concentration, meditation, visualization, and chanting (mantra) (Desikachar, 1999; van der Kolk, 2014).

The respiratory system is a complex organ structure of the human body anatomy, and the primary purpose of this system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood vessels to carry the precious gaseous element to all parts of the body to accomplish cell respiration. The respiratory system completes this important function of breathing throughout inspiration. In the breathing process inhaling oxygen is essential for cells to metabolize nutrients and carry out some other tasks, but it must occur simultaneously with exhaling when the carbon dioxide is excreted, this exchange of gases is the respiratory system's means of getting oxygen to the blood (McGowan, Jefferies & Turley, 2004).

The respiratory and cardiovascular systems work together to perform the gas exchange function. Without gas exchange function, the cells would die, hence, it is needed for these systems to work together. Through respiratory system, the oxygen enters the body and then it is transported as oxyhaemoglobin to the cells with the help of cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system also performs the work to transport the waste product carbon dioxide to respiratory system, that evacuates it. Hence, without respiratory system, the oxygen could not enter the body and it could not discharge the carbon dioxide waste. Without cardiovascular system, the oxygen and carbon dioxide could not travel the

The respiratory system is the body’s source for breathing. Without our respiratory system, gas exchange would not be able to occur. Inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.

All organisms need to respire to survive. Respiration requires oxygen which is brought into the body during gas exchange. In gas exchange oxygen is taken from the water or air into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released.

Western medicine has found out that just as the yogis have known for a long time, breathing is closely related to autonomic nervous system and a person's mind. Thus, some hospitals now teach people deep breathing.

When we breathe, oxygen is absorbed through the lungs into the blood stream. The heart pumps oxygenated blood around the body through blood vessels (arteries). This oxygenated blood travels to all the body’s tissues and releases the oxygen for the cells to function. Cells then expel waste such as carbon dioxide which is then reabsorbed by the blood. This deoxygenated blood is carried back to the heart via veins this is then pumped back into the lungs the waste products are then exhaled and the blood is oxygenated again to be reabsorbed, carried back to heart, to start the process

Yoga is a discipline both involving physical and mental control that originated in India. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word, "yug", meaning union and it means the joining of the individual spirit with the universal spirit. The type of yoga known as Hatha Yoga, ("Ha"- sun, "tha"-moon) is what is most commonly practiced and this yoga involves the path of the mind and body and is the most physical. There are eight limbs or steps of Hatha Yoga, the first step being the five Yamas. There are five yamas and these concern your behavior to the world.

                   Have you ever had any trouble breathing in your life? No? Well consider yourself lucky. Breathing is an essential thing to life. You don’t breathe, you don’t live. That’s just the way it is. When you breathe in, the lungs take that oxygen and release the carbon dioxide as a waste product into the atmosphere. This is what keeps the body regulated and gets the metabolism going. The process of aspiration is an ongoing phenomenon. Everyone is constantly breathing in and out because our lungs can only take in so much oxygen. We constantly breathe more and more to live.

Yoga is a practical aid, not a religion. Yoga is an ancient art based on a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with their environment. This is a simple definition.

A type of yoga that focuses primarily on the breath is viniyoga; which also uses chanting, pranayama, and asana techniques. Asana is a relaxing type of yoga that includes many resting poses and pranayama are breathing exercises. Ashtanga is a fast paced yoga and the inspiration for many power yoga classes you can find at the gym. Bikram is hot yoga, which is generally practiced in a room that is generally heated to over 100 degrees (McCall 106-113). Kripalu is different from other forms of yoga because it places importance on emotions, physical sensations, and thoughts that arise during practice. The way we think and react during practice is an example of the way we respond to people and act out in our everyday life ("Kripalu" 4-5). Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy is a practice where the instructor moves your body into a number of positions while you remain passive. There are many other types of yoga as well including; kundalini, anusara, triyoga, savasana, tantra, and gym yoga (McCall 110-113).

Breathing. Its an instinctive, necessary reflex that people do to live. We need oxygen in order to maintain homeostasis through the process of cellular respiration. It 's a set of the metabolic reactions and

Yoga meditation is an exercise program that includes stretching and exercises that use deep breathing to bring peace and tranquility. While it’s true that you can meditate without performing yoga, yoga on the other hand, always involves some form of meditation.

- Relaxed breathing - a technique that involves deep, even breathing by straining the diaphragm to expand the lungs. The purpose is to slow down breathing, inhale more oxygen and relax your shoulders, neck and upper chest while breathing, so practically more efficient breathing.