Anne: its only dangerous if you stop breathing.
Stephanie: BKSI says in Light On Pranayama to use caution, and that some kriyas (not necessarily pranayama) are not appropriate for women. I respect what Iyengar has brought to the world, but have seen (or heard) no evidence indicating truth behind t...his. I do think that people with high blood pressure should use pranayama in very limited, perhaps guarded, form - but then, such a big part of pranayama is cultivating awareness, so in that respect, we're all in the same boat. Following the breath inside one's body brings awareness of life in general.See More
Anne: I know i was being flippant earlier but let me caveat: A Yogi measures the span of their life not by the number of years but by the number of their breaths. The aim of Pranayama is to control Prana....the control of energy and life forces... in the body. Breath is the most tangable form of this energy. By controling the motion of the lungs/respiratory organs, we can control the prana that is vibrating inside. By controlling prana, the mind can be easily controlled because of the mind is fastenend to prana.
Pranayama is the regulation of breath. Breath is the external manifestation of Prana. A correct habit of breathing is established by the regular practice of pranayam. If one controlls prana, then the mind is also controlled. If the mind is controlled, one has also controlled breath.
Most forms of pranayama will not elevate blood pressure....and most forms of pranayama are not (should not be) "forced" and thus should not elevate blood pressure.
Quite the contrary, one of the major physical benefits is that it balances/regulates blood pressure in the body. It also helps us to restore, refresh, rejuvenate the body -- brings the nervous system into balance, regulates blood pressure, purifies the blood (by the increased intake of oxygen into the body), it also helps to increase the absorbtiion of oxygen into the body. It also is beneficial to our immune system, increasing our resistence to diseases.
Emotionally, it rids us of stress, nervousness and depresssion. It helps to calm the mind (the citta vrittis), it also helps to purify our consciousness, thoughts and feelings.
The spiritual benefits are also great: it purifies/opens the nadis (energy channels), helps us to gain and radiate energy, resolves energy blockages, deepens our meditation because of the deepening of concentration, awakens and purifies our chakras as well as expands our consciousness.
So...in a word -- no....its not dangerous if practiced correctly. The practice of pranayama is said to be more important and more beneficial than practicing asanas or even meditation and certainly has a more profound effect on our mind, body and spirit than asandas or just meditation.
There are a few forms of pranayama such as Kapal Bhati, Bhastrika and Murccha that *if practiced INCORRECTLY* and without the guidance and instruction of a skilled teacher, could potentially create issues.
BUT there is a huge difference between a *strong* exhalation and a *forced* exhalation. There should never EVER be any *forcing* in yoga. That's not what its all about. Its relaxed, controlled awareness...
Hari OM and Much Success in your Sadhana!!
Ramesh pran =oxygen=life....... ayam==dimension ....keep it simple if you have blood pressure.avoid hard part.pranayam cures many illnesses and gives longer life compare to those not doing it
Nichelle: The only one I know of that you DO have to be careful with is breath of fire. You should never practice breath of fire during the first three days of menstruation or when you're pregnant.
David: "15. Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise (ie,, by being hasty or using too much force) it kills the practitioner himself.
16. When Pranayama, etc., are perform...ed properly, they eradicate all diseases; but an improper practice generates diseases."
From http://oaks.nvg.org/hatha-yoga-pradipika.html
Sarala: "ati sarvatra varjiyet". There are niyam to do pranayam. if we follow them carefully nothig will happen.
Natasha: very dangerous .
Gayathre: yes. it is easier to tame a lion than your breath. pranayama should be taught by a good teacher. it should focus on the mental and physical condiion of the student
Bulelwa: Pranayam should b taught by a skilled instructor,to avoid d generation of disease.
Bijith: If you do not know how to drink water, problem arises, so as py. So learn, observe, correct and practise..
Shailendra: Dangers if any, will continue to exist even if you have learnt from a teacher. And a good teacher will always tell you what Anne Janeski has posted above.
Avoid Kumbhaka (holding the breath) and do what you can do comfortably and know for s...ure that pranayam does no harm.
Solveig: Get to know "you" and become/or be "your friend".
Chetankumar: Pranayam is necessary to regulate ur breath so as to have a its harmony with Nature and God.
Any exercise of any form ,if not properly done,teached,or understood can definitely cause a damage.
There r instances of a Dumbbell slipping onto da ...toes in Gyms or worse.
Dat does make a Bodybuilder recommend NOT TO GO to da gym at all.
Learn Yoga well ,and have confidence in it ,
Surbhi: although pranayam is a gr8 medium 2 fit bt if dere is nt an actual knowledge 4 apply den obviously .........can b dangerous!!!
Shoumava: If not performed properly they can be dangerous, initially guidance of a guru is needed. A asana and pranayama should be done within its rules. Like the time of inhalation, exhalation and breathe holding should be according to ratio given a...nd rest should also be equivalent in shavasana, there should be no exertion on body. As well the gap between one asana and other should be uniform always and after a full set a specific time of shavasana is compulsoru and it should again be uniform. Ater practice of Asanas and Pranayamas a long break in shavasana say 15min or 30 min is compulsory these rules when followed properly yeild good results otherwise reverse ma happen
Suresh: PRANAYAMA MEANS Prana + Ayama, which means the control and extension of the Prana or vital energy or bio energy. Pranayama, if practiced correctly can cure all types of physical and mental disorders, also increase in pranic energy can incr...ease functioning of brain and may result in Siddhis or perfections or extra sensory perceptions, Pranayama is used to control the mental energy and mind. (One who practice pranayama should be sattvic nature no alcohol, smoke or non veg) But if pranayama is not done properly, it invites all the diseases. So it must be done under the guidance of Guru. OM
Kapil: yes it can be, bcoz pranayama mean controlling the prana, prana means -life force & to stay alive we have to depend on air means on breath if we do pranayama we control our life force indirectly.
so it can be fatal if we do mistakes. so plz... dont perform any laborous mental operations with prana!!!!!!!!
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