'Understanding Pranayama : The 4th Anga' by Sri M

In this practice

Key teachings

• Prana as life energy, encompassing physical and subtle energies
• Pranayama as rules and regulations for managing Prana, beyond just breath control
• Importance of proper yogic breathing over shallow breathing
• Balancing energy channels (Ida and Pingala Nadis) for physical and spiritual well-being
• Caution and gradual approach to advanced breathing techniques like Kumbhak

Ideal for

• Beginners to Pranayama looking for foundational understanding
• Individuals interested in the philosophy and practice of yogic breathing
• Practitioners seeking to deepen their breath control and energy management
• Anyone looking for techniques to calm the mind and improve respiratory health

Lesson

Instructions

Sri M - "Looking at the word Pranayama - Prana means life energy, energy that moves in our system. It includes oxygen, which is also energy and various other energies like digestive energy. It is also prana that helps us excrete. There are many pranas in our system like prana, apana, udana and samana. When you say Prana-yama, yama means rules. Therefore pranayama means rules and regulations regarding prana which does not necessarily means swasa...."

This online session took place on 27th May 2020 in Madanapalle.

To know more about Sri M and his programs, please log on to : www.satsang-foundation.org

About Sri M Born in India, Sri M is a spiritual guide, social reformer, educator and writer. He first met his Master at the age of nine under the jackfruit tree, in the compound of his house in Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian coastal state of Kerala.

The full account of his astonishing and amazing experiences are published in his memoir from 2011 titled “Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master – A Yogi’s Autobiography“, which became an instant bestseller. He has written a sequel to his autobiography, titled “Sri M – The journey continues”. He has written two more books - Shunya, his first novel and his latest one being - 'On Meditation', a book which answers questions on meditation.

Sri M has traveled the world fulfilling his life’s mission to teach and guide people as instructed by his Master, Maheswarnath Babaji. Over the years, Sri M’s mission as a spiritual guide, social reformer and educator have given rise to many initiatives including: – high-quality, multi-lingual education, free to rural children – Satsang Rural School – an unique and innovative approach to education. – Co-educational, residential school committed to providing in-depth exploration of knowledge. – Affordable, preventive and curative holistic health care

In 2015, Sri M went on a 16-month journey, Walk of Hope, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, spanning 5000 miles across 11 states of India, to bring attention to humanity’s need for peace, harmony and tolerance.

Sri M says: “Go to the core. Theories are of no use.” His message seeks to transcend the outer-shell of all religions, by exploring their mystical essence and thus nurture the innate goodness in every human being.To know more about Sri M and his programs, please log on to : www.satsang-foundation.org

Steps

• Deep Yogic Breathing (not shallow chest breathing)
• Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
• Bhastrika (Bellows Breath)
• Kapalbhati (Skull Shining Breath)
• Surya Bhedana (Right Nostril Breathing)

Benefits

• Increases oxygen supply to lungs and improves lung health
• Clears sinuses and respiratory passages
• Calms and quietens the mind, fostering mental clarity
• Balances the body's energy system (Prana, Apana, Nadis)
• Strengthens the body's ability to fight infections
• Prepares the mind for deeper meditation and spiritual insight