Pranayama And Meditation Class Introduction

Why and how a pranayama and meditation class works to deliver a powerful range of benefits to you.

1. Why & How To Use Breath & Sound
Meditation
By
Chris Lalor

2. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questionsabout pranayama

3. Pranayama.
It’s an ancient practice of
sound & breath meditation.
Copyright: Flametree Yoga Studio, 2024

4. Prana = Energy
Pranayama
means increasing
energy

5. Energy from
abdomen’s
energy “factory”.

6. Helps your
mind
become
clear and
quiet

7. Ancient Chinese
energy techniques:

Different direction
from India…
Chinese focused
on everyday
health.

8. Indians: Prana is energy that
carries with it awareness.

9. Indians:
Exploring prana
to alter
consciousness

10. In recent years, breath
meditation has surged
under the name
“Breathwork”.

11. “Breathwork” is popular due to James Nestor’s research.

12. He showed importance of nose breathing… via blocking his
nose (with silicon), for 10 days.

13. Some impacts of blocking nose for 10 days
SNORING INCREASED
4,820%
SUFFERED OBSTRUCTIVE
SLEEP APNEA AT
DANGEROUS LEVELS
LOST 40% MORE WATER
FROM BODY
INSOMNIA
MOOD DISORDERS SINUS HEADACHES

14. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

15. Using
breath to
get energy
from
abdomen

16. Inhalation:
Diaphragm’s
descent
makes a
vacuum

17. Exhalation: diaphragm relaxes

18. Nostrils:
Right passage:
heating &
stimulating.
Left nostril:
cools & soothes
nervous system.

19. Different parts of nervous system activated
by different pranayama techniques

20. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

21. There are different
pranayama techniques:
for different effects

22. Practising pranayama
slow and steady is best.
Strengthen lungs to deal
with your life
force...energy.

23. Start lying down in supported Savasana

24. Blanket set up for chest lift, & abdominal quietening

25. When spine is stronger, & mind quieter, move to
seated Pranayama too

26. Basic
process:
Inhale.
Exhale.
Retain on
each.

27. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

28. Techniques to start
with:

Ujjayi 1 – 4 (Ocean
Breath)
Viloma 1 – 3
(Staircase Breathing)

Bhramari (Bumble
Bee Breath)

29. Ujjayi 1 – Conscious
observation of normal
breath
Ujjayi 2 – deep exhalation,
normal inhalation.
Ujjayi 3 – deep inhalation,
normal exhalation.
Ujjayi 4 – deep inhalation &
exhalation, with normal
breath in-between.

30. Staircase
Breathing:
Viloma 1 –
Interrupted
inhalation, & then
deep uninterrupted
exhalation.

31. Viloma 2 –
deep
inhalation,
followed by
interrupted
exhalation.

32. Viloma 3 –
combination
of techniques
1 & 2.

33. Bumble Bee Breath –
Normal inhalation,
followed by deep
humming exhalation.

34. Later:
Alternate Nostril
Breathing
(Nadi Shodhana)

35. Nadi Shodhana:
with hand mudra.

(San Mukhi Mudra)

36. When the right and
left nostrils work
evenly together,
energy flows up
the spine.

Brain becomes
clear & calm.

37. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

38. Via pranayama, Alpha & Theta brain
waves increase.

39. Some functions of Alpha & Theta waves

40. Waves continue! But you alter the “mix”

41. Some outcomes of too much beta
waves (relatively speaking)

42. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

43. Mental, physical, & many other benefits

44. Pranayama
creates a
meditative
state

45. Even more benefits of meditation…

46. Contents
•Energy from sound & breath meditation
•Mechanics of this pranayama breathing
•Pranayama techniques overview
•Basic process in each pranayama technique
•Brain waves from pranayama
•Benefits of this sound & breath meditation
•Some common questions about pranayama

47. Best times to practise:
sunrise & sunset

48. Why apply a chin lock?
(Jalandhara Bandha).
To hold the heat /
energy in chest with
less impact on brain.

49. How long to wait after
eating to practise
Pranayama:
3-4 hours.

50. How long to wait after
your asana practise
before doing
pranayama?
Restorative asana:
immediately.
Otherwise: a half hour

51. What Pranayama is best to do at
night?
Ujjayi (Ocean Breath) 1-2),
& Bhramari (Bumble Bee Breath)

52. Which Pranayamas
should one avoid
before going to
bed?
Ujjayi 4 & Viloma 1.