Vedas recognise that the trillions of cells of the human body are held together by what is known as the Pranic Envelope and the Pranic Energy pulling them all together. The Pranic Envelope can be visibly perceived in all human beings by well trained, balanced and highly evolved persons like great yogis and sages. The intensity and colour of the pranic envelope would vary depending upon the health and spiritual development of the person. Great yogis and sages exhibit such a high level of pranic energy that it can be perceived by many less evolved persons as an aura around the head of the sage. Most religions including Christianity (not just Hinduism and Buddhism) portray aura around their great sages.

Pranayama is the method of improving, guiding and controlling the Prana. It consists of two Sanskrit words – ‘Prana’ (the energy envelope of a human being) and ‘Aayama’ (stretching / expanding / restraining / stopping) , meaning guiding the Prana and the energy associated with it. Pranayama is a method of breath control that keeps the nervous system balanced, as also the communication between brain and body organs, and the pathways for blood flow and supply of essential hormones, oxygen and bio-chemicals in good order.

There are many kinds of Pranayama. Each one is focused on energisation of a particular body part or organ or a group of them and keeping it / them in good working order. Different kinds of Pranayama are prescribed for different ailments and weaknesses, and also contra-indicated for certain types of problems.

Some of the Pranayama are listed below -

Nadi Shodhana or Anuloma-Viloma, Bhastrika, Antar Kumbhaka & Bahir Kumbhaka, Bhramari, Kapalabhati, Sheetali or Sheetkari, Surya Bheda, Ujjayi etc.

For cancer patients we recommend three Pranayamas – Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika and Kapalabhati. Any patient can practice Nadi Shodhana or Anuloma –Viloma Pranayama. The other two should be practised under supervision of a yoga teacher and observation of a doctor on their impact.

Cancer patients who are improving and are mobile, who are able to do much of their normal work should practise Bhastrika in addition. Those patients who are active and are able to do all normal activities can practise Kapalabhati, particularly those who are having lung cancer.

Pranayama improves the Quality of Life and ensures control of cancer. Those practising Pranayama would perform much better in cancer management than those who do not.

ANULOMA-VILOMA OR NADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA:

The Sanskrit Word Nadi means ‘Psychic passage’ or ‘nervous pathway’ through which prana flows throughout the body

The word Shodhana means searching or purification. Thus this is a practice whereby the pranic pathways are purified and decongested. This allows the pranic energy to flow freely throughout the body, bringing the physical body into the best possible health and calming the mind. It is an excellent preparation for various kinds of meditation.

It is one of the simplest Pranayamas and brings about balance in the system, improves the immune system and calms the mind and body. It establishes a balance between breathing in and breathing out. It also balances the breath intake between the right and left nostrils, and establishes a proper communication between the right and left parts of the brain. This is the normal Pranayama that all Hindus are advised to practise as part of their daily prayer routine. As its name indicates, it also explores and opens up the two nervous systems, namely, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

There are four basic stages of Nadi Shodhana. Each stage should be mastered before proceeding to the next. This is important, for control over the respiratory system has to be gradually developed only over a period of time in order to avoid overstressing. Premature attempts at doing more advanced stages could lead to strain and injure the system, and particularly the very sensitive associated nervous system.

Nasagra or Nasikagra Mudra
During this Pranayama, the breath through the nostrils is controlled by the fingers of one hand held in front of the face. This position of the hand is actually called nasagra or nasikagra mudra. The position of the fingers and hand are as follows; hold the right hand in front of the face (left hand can also be used by left handed persons – though normally not prescribed - in which case the following instructions are reversed).

Place the tips of the second and third fingers so that they point up towards the forehead at the eyebrow center. These fingers should be straight. In this position the thumb should be beside the right nostril and the little finger beside the left nostril. The fourth (ring) finger is not utilized and is held inside pressed within the palm.

The right nostril can now be left open or closed by pressing the side of the nose with the thumb as required. This allows air to flow or prevents the flow through the right nostril. The air flow through the left nostril can be similarly controlled with the little finger. The elbow of the right arm should preferably be in front of and as near the chest as possible, but not pressed in. The forearm should be as vertical as possible. This will reduce the tendency of the raised arm to become tired after some time. The head and back should be held upright but without strain.

Stage-1:
It consists of sitting in a quiet place without noise and other distractions, and just mentally (not physically with the eyes) looking at the tip of one’s nose and calmly breathing in and out, feeling and thinking only about it, that is, the breath flow. Automatically the breathing becomes deeper and balanced – that is, between breathing in and breathing out, as well as between the two nostrils. The inner calmness increases. One becomes highly composed and feels energized.

After a few cycles of breathing in and out, one is recommended to adopt the nasikagra mudra and close the right nostril with the right thumb, with the next two fingers (the indicator finger and the middle one) up pointing towards the centre of the face between the two eye-brows. The ring finger is pressed in, pointing towards the centre of the palm and the little finger free. Breathe in slowly through the left nostril. The time should be comfortable enough for the practitioner, say a count of ten. Then press both the nostrils closed with the thumb and the little finger and hold the breath for a count of ten. Then press the left nostril closed with the little finger and breathe out through the right nostril slowly counting the same, that is, ten. This completes half a cycle. Now breathe in through the right nostril keeping the left nostril closed by pressing with the right little finger – counting ten. Hold the breath with both the nostrils pressed closed and count ten. Then slowly release the breath through the left nostril counting ten. This completes a full cycle.

One must repeat this process for a few cycles, increasing the time from ten counts to more and more (but not too long) without being uncomfortable. As we progress, we can merge a mantra with the breathing like ‘Om’ or any other name of God, like ‘Ram’, ‘Sairam’ etc. Persons who are not Hindus can choose their own names of sages or God as they like, like ‘Allah’ etc.

Thus the cycle consists of Left in – count X, Hold breath in with both nostrils closed – count X, Breathe out through right nostril – count X. Repeat the process starting from right nostril, holding and breathing out through the left.

As in the earlier stage, repeat the process as many times as you like. Normally we recommend ten cycles.

Stage-2:
In this stage one adds holding the breath out for the same count as for breathing in or any other stage. The rest of the process is same.

Thus the cycle consists of Left in – count X, Hold breath in with both nostrils closed – count X, Breathe out through right nostril – count X, Hold the breath out (that is, no air inside the lungs) – count X. Repeat the process starting from right nostril, holding and breathing out through the left.

As in the earlier stage, repeat the process as many times as you like. Normally we recommend ten cycles.

Stage-3:
At this stage, one increases the ‘holding air in’ and ‘breathing out’ to double the time taken for ‘breathing in’ or ‘holding out’. The rest of the process is same and the fingers are held similarly.

Thus the cycle consists of Left in – count X, Hold breath in with both nostrils closed – count 2X, Breathe out through right nostril – count 2X, Hold the breath out (that is, no air inside the lungs) – count X. Repeat the process starting from right nostril, holding and breathing out through the left.

As in the earlier stage, repeat the process as many times as you like. Normally we recommend ten cycles.

Stage-4:
As one progresses and gains better control over the breathing and holding process, there will be great benefits in the form of better oxygen intake and absorption in the system. Then one can move on to the fourth stage where one psychically feels the pranic energy moving along the Pingala Nadi when doing left in – right out half cycle of breathing, in an arcing fashion from the lowest chakra (Mooladhara chakra) to the highest (the Agnya chakra). When breathing in through the right nostril and out through the left, the pranic energy is guided to move in an arcing fashion through the various chakras along the Iida Nadi route. The two nadis refer to the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

As in the earlier stage, repeat the process as many times as you like. Normally we recommend ten cycles.

BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA

The Sanskrit word ‘Bhastrika’ means ‘bellows’ thus the practice can be called ‘the bellows pranayama’. This practice is so called because air is drawn forcefully and quickly in and out of the lungs like the bellows of a village blacksmith. The blacksmith increases the flow of air into a fire in order to produce more heat for his work. Bhastrika pranayama can be said to do the same thing: it increases the flow of air into the body, which produces inner heat, both gross and subtle. The inner fire of mind-body is stocked. This heat burns up impurities, whether physical impurities such as toxins, pranic blockages or mental neuroses. The Sanskrit word tapas means ‘penance’, ‘burning one’s impurities’. Bhastrika pranayama is one method, a very direct method of self-purification through tapas.

One has to learn this Pranayama and practise it under the guidance of a yoga teacher.

Technique:

Sit in a comfortable pose. Hold the head and back straight. Close the eyes, relax the whole body.

Stage 1: Left nostril respiration: raise your right hand in front of your face and do nasagra/ nasikagra mudra. The other hand should rest in your lap or on your knee. Close right nostril with thumb breathe forcefully and quickly through the left nostril 10 times. The pumping action should be done by the expansion and contraction of the abdomen; try not to use your chest. Forceful exhalation is induced by fully expanding the abdominal muscles.

The whole process of breathing should be rapid and rhythmical.

You should do it sufficiently fast so that you hear a snuffing sound in the nose as you breathe in and out. Then, after completing 10 rapid respirations, breathe in deeply through the left nostril; keep the right nostril closed. Fill the lungs as much as possible by expanding both the chest and the abdomen.

Hold your breath. Close both nostrils. Press your chin against the chest. Contract throat so that it is locked, to form the Jalandhara bandha. (Jalandhara Bandha means ‘closing the throat passage’ by pressing the chin into the throat by bending the head forward down). Also contract the perineum, the area of the Mooladhara bandha. (Mooladhara bandha means closing the perineum or anus and holding it tight. Also hold the breath for as long as you can.

Stage 2:
Right nostril respiration: Close your left nostril; open right nostril; breathe in and out deeply and rapidly through the right nostril 10 times.

Remember: the abdominal expansion and contraction should act as the bellows that induce air into the lungs and then push it out again. Then inhale slowly and deeply through the right nostril. Hold your breath, close both nostrils press your chin against the chest. Contract the throat to form Jalandhara bandha. (Jalandhara Bandha means ‘closing the throat passage’ by pressing the chin into the throat by bending the head forward down. Contract the area of Mooladhara chakra. Mentally count the duration of breath retention. Raise your head. Release the blockage of the nostril and breathe out slowly through the right nostril.

Stage 3 : Respiration through both nostrils.
Open both nostrils. Breath in and out deeply and rapidly 10 times through both nostrils together. Then inhale deeply and slowly through both nostrils. Close both nostrils with the thumb and ring finger. Hold your breath. Press chin against the chest. Contract both throat and mooladhara chakra areas. Mentally count the duration of breath retention. After a comfortable length of time raise your head. Release the pressure on both nostrils. Breathe out slowly through both nostrils.

This is the end of stage 3 and also the end of 1 complete round. One round is stage 1+ stage 2+ stage 3. Now strart another round. Repeat ten times.

KAPALABHATI PRANAYAMA

The word ‘kapala’ in Sanskrit means ‘skull’ or relating to the parts inside; ‘bhati’ is ‘lustrousness’ or ‘brightness’. With this pranayama, the head would be energized and made to shine. The brain is energized. . When one does Kapalabhati Pranayama, flow of current can be clearly felt inside the forehead. They pulsate in rhythm with the bellowing of the lungs; that is, pranic bellowing occurs in the front part and lower parts of the brain. This is a very powerful Pranayama that opens up and cleans up the pathways of brain, particularly the medulla oblongata to the organs of the body. This process brings purification of this region. It makes it alert and highly responsive to any problems in the body, leading to quick correction.

This Pranayama can only be practised under proper training and supervision by a yoga expert. Cancer patients who are active and mobile only should practise this and that too, under the care of a doctor.

Technique: Sit comfortably, with both legs folded in. Hold the back upright. Close the eyes. Relax the whole body. Start the first round. Breathe rapidly from the abdomen. Exhale with forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles. Inhale by passively allowing the abdominal muscles to expand; there should be no effort. Repeat only a comfortable number of rapid respirations – no more. Then take one deep and slow inhalation. Next breathe out and empty the lungs as much as possible. Hold your breath for as long as is comfortable. Then raise your head and slowly breathe in. This is the end of the first round. If you feel out of breath, or a little tired, breathe naturally a few times. Then start the second round. Do as many times as possible. You can do even hudred rounds or more.