| As you know by now, pranayama (yogic breathing) is | | | | self-realization is a common objective among many |
| one of the most effective ways to create a link to the | | | | Yogic schools of thought. |
| mind and body. Yet, pranayama is often over looked | | | | How can pranayama help you on the path toward |
| by Hatha Yoga practitioners. If you take a superficial | | | | self-realization? Some claim pranayama is boring, while |
| view of Yoga: A photo of one's breath cannot | | | | others will tell you it is hard work. In many Hatha Yoga |
| produce the shock value seen in some asana | | | | classes, breath awareness is integrated into asana or |
| photographs. | | | | meditation practice, but it might not be a separate |
| Yet, Yoga cannot be summed up in one photo session | | | | segment of the class. Some fitness Yoga teachers |
| or one book. Humans often make hasty judgments | | | | yield to the popularity of asanas and see little worth in |
| about subjects. This enables us to quickly sort, classify, | | | | pranayama as a separate practice. |
| and file ideas, in a specific order, so that we may | | | | With that said - it will take the fitness-oriented student |
| retrieve them easily. The only problem is that we may | | | | a bit longer to become completely present for practice. |
| not have gone beyond the surface layer of our filing | | | | Pranayama is a gateway to the state of seeing, |
| system. | | | | knowing, and being, which we call self-realization. In |
| It takes years of Yoga practice to get beyond our | | | | some schools of thought, pranayama is the easiest |
| superficial viewpoints. Yoga teaches us to look at the | | | | way to connect mind, body, and spirit. |
| deeper aspects of life, without harsh judgments. Each | | | | Here is an example: Sit in a quiet room and notice |
| limb of Yoga is as significant as the other. When we | | | | what you can easily focus on. Is it a sound, an object, |
| review the Eight Limbs, as described by Maharishi | | | | an image, or a function? For many, the breath is easy |
| Patanjali, within the "Yoga Sutras," we begin to realize | | | | to isolate and focus on. Our perspectives will be |
| the value of each area of study that may be lacking in | | | | different, depending on our training and the amount of |
| our personal practice. | | | | time we put into practice. |
| If we continue to practice and study Yoga for years, | | | | Each of us is different, but you can put this to the test |
| we begin to realize the value of each limb. We also | | | | along or with students. Being truly present for practice |
| begin to appreciate the subtle differences among | | | | is an exercise in self-realization. To bring self-realization |
| Yogic schools and styles. Despite these differences, | | | | into daily life is a way of life. |