Pranayama
Prana‘ and ‘Ayama‘ are the Sanskrit words. ‘Prana‘ means ‘Breath‘ and ‘Ayama‘ means ‘Control‘ so it is called as Pranayama.In Pranayama we learn to control our breath by regularly practicing. Pranayama plays a very important role in our life to keep healthy. Let’s check what are the benefits of pranayama.
Pranayama is the perfect breathing exercise which increases the positive energy level in the body and removes toxins. Pranayama (breathing exercises) supplies more oxygen to the body. Pranayama is the key to a healthy body. Those practicing regularly, feel very energetic throughout the day.
Everyone can enjoy the Benefits of Pranayama. Those are above the age of 10 can practice. Old people or weak people should not practice pranayama too much.
Nowadays doctors also recommending Pranayama and Yogasana for a healthy body. Those suffering from cancer, depression, anxiety and so many found excellent result after practicing pranayama regularly. Let’s see Benefits of Pranayama and types of pranayama as follows.
Dhyana
Dhyana is the commonly used Sanskrit word that means meditation. Meditation is increasingly seen as an important practice, both by the religious and non-religious. Therefore, it is necessary to know the detailed meaning of this word. This is a Sanskrit word. Sanskrit is a classical language like Greek, Latin, and Persian. And in Sanskrit, as in most classical languages, most words are derived from a stem or root.
The word ‘dhyana’ can be derived from the root words dhi and yana. Dhi means to perceive, think, reflect, wish, or desire. Yana means path, course, journey, travel, going, moving, riding, marching, vehicle, carriage, wagon, vessel, or ship. Formed by the words dhi and yana, dhyana would mean a process, path, or vehicle to properly think or reflect. The word ‘dhyana’ can also be derived from the root dhyai, which means to think, imagine, contemplate, meditate, recollect, call to mind, and brood. Then the word ‘dhyana’ would mean to meditate or contemplate.
Mantra Yoga
Mantra is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates to “vehicle of the mind.” Man means mind, and tra means transport or vehicle. A mantra is any word, phrase, or sound that helps to keep your mind focused.
Practicing mantras throughout life can be helpful to keep you focused, but they become especially helpful during your yoga and meditation practices. When you keep your mind focused on your breath and a mantra during practice, it can help to reduce your chitta vritti, or mind chatter.
Mantras are one way to practice mindfulness because we focus on a word or phrase as a way to calm and center the mind. In this sense, mantras help us slow down our brains and allow for more space in breath, mind, and body.
Bhakti Yoga (Satsang)
Bhakti Yoga is one of the four main yogic paths to enlightenment. Bhakti means “devotion” or “love” and this path contains various practices to unite the bhakta (Bhakti Yoga practitioner) with the Divine. Bhakti Yoga is considered the easiest yogic path to master and the most direct method to experience the unity of mind, body, and spirit. While Hatha Yoga requires a strong and flexible body, Raja Yoga requires a disciplined and concentrated mind, and Jnana Yoga requires a keen intellect, the only requirement for Bhakti Yoga is an open, loving heart. But Bhakti Yoga complements other paths of yoga well, and it is said that jnana (knowledge or wisdom) will dawn by itself when you engage in the devotional practices of Bhakti Yoga.