Is pranayama safe for all?

Question

I read that people who intend to do pranayama must refrain from all sexual activity and sexual thought, otherwise there might be harmful effect. But how can one avoid sexual urge which comes as naturally as say hunger? Is it true that yoga and pranayama are really meant for unmarried people like saints? Then what about common men and women like us? Does pranayama help in reducing sexual urges?

Answer 1

Pranayama is simply a system of breathing techniques used in yoga practice. There are various forms of pranayama, depending on what you are trying to acheive, but anyone can practice pranayama as part of their yoga practice, or even daily when feeling stressed out or a need to reconnect.

I use ujjayi pranayama during my yoga practice, and I'm certainly no saint!

I could have just cut and pasted from wikipedia, too, but I am speaking as someone who has practiced pranayama, as well as giving a few good sites for more information.

Answer 2

I hate to burst the bubble but this is low down on Pranayama. Prana needs a vehicle to travel in the body and that vehicle is blood so if the volume of blood is low you can acquire brochial asthma or madness or both. I am not saying this to scare you or others who will be reading this answer. Remember Patanjali never started with Pranayama but 1. YAMA 2. NIYAMA 3. ASANAS 4. PRANAYAMA. Trying to attempt 4th step by by-passing first second and third step is like trying to build the top storey of a building without foundation, and sidewalls and the result will be failure for sure. Imagine your body is 40 volt bulb and by doing pranayama you are trying to force 1000 volts into your body and that too without the guidance of an experienced teacher. How do I know it. I should damn very well know as two people tried it by doing it on their own - one ended up with a bypass surgery and other ended with high blood pressure. Who is responsible for this not pranayama but doing without guidance and also you need to follow satwik diet (wholesome nutritious food). So what is the outlet you may ask? adding I don't have money to join a yoga class but I have books and I can learn from them. I really pity you but a safe bet would be sound theraphy to give you really high or bliss in place of narcotics but your body is already filled with junk - you need to cleanse it first so safely doing AUM chanting and please i repeat please i am not any fanatic trying to convert you into hinduism or anything else. The method is first breathe out completely (sit comfortably in a chair with your spine erect) then slowly inhale deeply as comfortably as you can and instead of breathing out chant OOOOOMMMMM as easily as you can. Start with 5 ooooommmmms and after a week add another 5 ooooommmmms and stop at a count of 11 oomms. Continue with 11 oomms for 3 months and then add another 10 to reach a target of 21. Remain on this 21 counts for 1 year and see the bliss and joy you will experience. Vegetarian diet would enhance the effect much early and don't be obsessed with, WHERE AM I GOING TO GET PROTEIN FROM ETC., Please remember meat contains only 24 percent of protein and soya beans contains 40 percent. Go for TOFU which is cheese prepared from soya milk and forget the worry about proteins. Good luck on your Ooommm chanting.

Answer 3

Pranayama is not only very safe it is also best way to keep healthy in the natural way.
Pranayama (Devanagari: प्राणायाम, prāNāyāma) is a breathing exercise originally expounded by Patanjali, an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi, in his Yoga Sutras, a text on various yogic techniques.

Pranayama is conscious prolongation of inhalation, retention, and exhalation of the breath. The word pranayama is comprised of two roots: prana and ayama. Prana includes the breath, but more accurately signifies the 'vital energy' or 'life force' that permeates the universe at all levels. It is similar to the Chinese concept of "chi," or the Hawaiian concept of "mana." Ayama is defined as 'extension' or 'expansion'. Thus, the word pranayama can be understood as the extension or expansion of prana. A pranayama practitioner receives prana on inhalation, savors the energy of prana by retaining the breath, and empties all thoughts and emotions on exhalation, surrendering the individual "I" energy to the universal energy. Pranayama thereby influences the flow of prana through the 350,000 nadis (channels) that run through the gross and subtle/spiritual body.

Pranayama has been reported to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, improving autonomic functions, relieving symptoms of asthma, and reducing signs of oxidative stress. Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.

Pranayama is a powerful practice that requires preparation. A strong basis in yoga asana is a prerequisite for pranayama, and new practitioners should consult with an experienced teacher before begining their own practice.

Answer 4

i agree with jayaraman...
Pranayama is not only very safe it is also best way to keep healthy in the natural way.
Pranayama (Devanagari: प्राणायाम, prāNāyāma) is a breathing exercise originally expounded by Patanjali, an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi, in his Yoga Sutras, a text on various yogic techniques.

Pranayama is conscious prolongation of inhalation, retention, and exhalation of the breath. The word pranayama is comprised of two roots: prana and ayama. Prana includes the breath, but more accurately signifies the 'vital energy' or 'life force' that permeates the universe at all levels. It is similar to the Chinese concept of "chi," or the Hawaiian concept of "mana." Ayama is defined as 'extension' or 'expansion'. Thus, the word pranayama can be understood as the extension or expansion of prana. A pranayama practitioner receives prana on inhalation, savors the energy of prana by retaining the breath, and empties all thoughts and emotions on exhalation, surrendering the individual "I" energy to the universal energy. Pranayama thereby influences the flow of prana through the 350,000 nadis (channels) that run through the gross and subtle/spiritual body.

Pranayama has been reported to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, improving autonomic functions, relieving symptoms of asthma, and reducing signs of oxidative stress. Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception.

Pranayama is a powerful practice that requires preparation. A strong basis in yoga asana is a prerequisite for pranayama, and new practitioners should consult with an experienced teacher before begining their own practice

Answer 5

Here, it is for everybody.
Pranayam is not only safe, it is cure-all. Do it every day but under proper guidance, to start with.

Answer 6

it is safe for every one

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

Pranayama (Devanagari: प्राणायाम, prāNāyāma) is a breathing exercise originally expounded by Patanjali, an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi, in his Yoga Sutras, a text on various yogic techniques.

Pranayama is conscious prolongation of inhalation, retention, and exhalation of the breath.[1] The word pranayama is comprised of two roots: prana and ayama. Prana includes the breath, but more accurately signifies the 'vital energy' or 'life force' that permeates the universe at all levels. It is similar to the Chinese concept of "chi," or the Hawaiian concept of "mana." Ayama is defined as 'extension' or 'expansion'. Thus, the word pranayama can be understood as the extension or expansion of prana. A pranayama practitioner receives prana on inhalation, savors the energy of prana by retaining the breath, and empties all thoughts and emotions on exhalation, surrendering the individual "I" energy to the universal energy.[1] Pranayama thereby influences the flow of prana through the 350,000 nadis (channels) that run through the gross and subtle/spiritual body.

Pranayama has been reported to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders,[2] improving autonomic functions,[3] relieving symptoms of asthma,[4][5] and reducing signs of oxidative stress.[6] [7] Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement,[1] and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception. [1][8]

Pranayama is a powerful practice that requires preparation. A strong basis in yoga asana is a prerequisite for pranayama, and new practitioners should consult with an experienced teacher before begining their own practice

BUT U DO NEED TO TAKE SOME CAUTIONS...

The practice of pranayama techniques is not trivial and Kason mentions circumstances where pranayama techniques might disrupt the balance of a person's life.[11] These cautions are also made in traditional hindu literature, as illustrated by the following excerpt from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

The real achievement of Pranayama is directly linked with the physical and mental activity of our, daily routine. Only when a perfect order is achieved in the routine of mundane life can we expect perfect mastery over breath and vital pulsations. It is always dangerous to attempt it - by beginning with the control of breath. Trying to control the breath without a control of our daily movements and reactions to others will produce dangerous turmoil in the constitution. Any experiment with the breath results in a stimulation of the energy centres on the etheric plane. When the physical and emotional stuff is not sufficiently purified beforehand then the turmoil causes stormy activity of the emotions. This results in great strain to the nerves and the vascular system. A total or partial wreck of the physical vehicle by paralysis, insanity or senility of mind may be the result of attempting Pranayama beginning with the control of breath before achieving the control of other activities.

A practical way of practising Pranayama should always be rightly discriminated, by the increase of ease and absence of discomfort at every step. For the various methods of Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka described by various teachers and prescribed in the name of 'esoteric breaths' the present author is no way responsible.