Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise: A Practical Guide for Manual Therapists

5

Chapter

Preparatory practice for the yoga art of breathing

Preparation for prān. āyāma, the yoga art of breathing

are raised when the diaphragm is pulled down. In

forced breathing the accessory muscles of inhala-

tion and exhalation are used. In general, quiet deep

breathing moves more air than forced, noisy breath-

ing. The normal respiratory rate is 12–18 breaths

per minute, slightly higher in children. It is directed

by the breathing center in the medulla oblongata,

influenced by the concentration of oxygen and car-

bon dioxide in the blood, the autonomous nervous

system, and emotions. It is also adapted to move-

ment (Hauke 1980).

Connection of respiration with the

other systems of the body

Through oxygenization and elimination of carbon

dioxide, respiration is connected with all tissues of the

body which receive a blood supply. There are a num-

ber of special connections of the respiratory system

with other systems of the body. The axial skeleton

protects and surrounds the lungs; rib movements are

important for inhalation and exhalation. The sternum

is important for the production of red blood cells.

Movement stimulates this production, too. Muscles

actively control and generate the flow and movements

of breath and the sounds connected with breathing.

The nervous system controls the rhythm and volumes

of respiration, and blood gas levels. Epinephrine and

norepinephrine stimulate respiration. The cardiovas-

cular system is particularly related to the respiratory

system. The heart and lungs are connected through

their veins and arteries. Red blood cells carry oxygen

and carbon dioxide between the lungs and the tissues.

In the alveolar capillaries converting enzymes, impor-

tant for the regulation of blood pressure, are produced

(Martini & Nath 200 8 ). The rhythmic movements of

the diaphragm stimulate fluid movements in the arter-

ies, veins, and lymphatic vessels by a change in pres-

sure between the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The

support of the venous flow back to the heart increases

the volume of the heart and the blood supply to the

coronary arteries, and decreases the heart rate (Roth

2008 ). This fluid movement improves the immune

system and the health of the tissues in general. It also

improves mobility and therefore the functions of the

abdominal and thoracic organs. Respiration is both

a conscious and an unconscious process, connecting

these two areas.

In conclusion, an understanding of these ana-

tomical and physiological connections shows that

breathing well and exercising connected with good

respiration are beneficial for health, both in preven-

tion and therapy. It is important not to force these

processes, rather to communicate with them in a

sensitive, mindful way.

Preparation for prā āyāma, the yoga

art of breathing

Introduction

In the classical yoga texts prā a is defined as the

basic life energy for all living beings and the whole

universe. There is a close connection between prā a,

breath, and mind. Āyāma is expansion, extension

of this energy, controlling, distributing, and storing

it. Prā āyāma is the aspect of yoga concerned with

breathing. It fits well with the anatomy and phys-

iology described above. Patañjali (see Chapter 1)

describes prāāyāma in his Yoga-Sūtras 49–51, part

II. Verse II.49 teaches: “Prāāyāma is the regula-

tion of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath

with retention” (Iyengar 2002, p. 161). Verse II.50

explains: “Prāāyāma has three movements: pro-

longed and fine inhalation, exhalation and retention;

all regulated with precision according to duration

and place” (Iyengar 2002, p. 16 5 ). From verse

II.51 we learn: “The fourth type of prāāyāma tran-

scends the external and internal prā āyāmas, and

appears effortless and non-deliberate” (Iyengar 2002,

p. 166).

From a consideration of the anatomy and physiology

of respiration as well as the classical yoga textbooks

we can see that precision, mindfulness, and dedicated

practice are essential for prā āyāma. The basic breath-

ing movements can be understood from the anatomy;

deep understanding comes through practice. As we

have seen in Chapter 2, the sensory organs play an

important role in concentrated, mindful, quiet prac-

tice. So an awareness of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and

skin will be fundamental to the practice of prāāyāma,

in addition to softness of the base of the skull and

pharynx. Calming the senses is essential for mindful

exercising, and for prā āyama, as well. The practice ̄

of prāāyama is very fine and subtle.̄

Preparation for prān. āyāma, the yoga art of breathing