How can PRANAYAM helps a person? Is there any difference with meditation?

Question

If there is a difference Suggest which one is the best?

Answer 1

try it and decide for yourself. Take a really deep breath and hold it as long as you can. Then repeat this for about 10 breaths.

Answer 2

Mr.Sangram---It is NOT Pranayam-Pranayam is an Hindi corruption of Sanskrit "Praanaayaamam'" --Yamam means an"order" one of the Ashta Angaas of Yoga Paadhanjalam.--Praana means one of 6 vital airs---"Praanopaana Vyanodhaana Samaana- Sapraana Sweta Varna Saangaayana Sagotra Gaayatri Chatur Vihumsathyakshara Tripadha Satkukshihi"---the recitation goes like that--The Prana is a driving force controlling the vital organs between the lines drawn connecting the Eye brows("Brumadhye") and the line connecting the nipples.The control (Yamam) is brought about by drawing the air(inspiration) deeply through the IDA Naadi,(Poorakam) left nostril,while closing the right -then cosing the left nostril also the air is withheld for one and half Hindu Unit Time-till 36 Religious letters(Beejam) are recited-(Kumbakam) and then slowly releasing the air through the right nostril-(Pingala Naadi--Rechakam)-One should learn from a learned,well trained teacher-Timing -order-& rhythm in recitation is very important.Otherwise it would cause serious breathing troubles.

Answer 3

PRANAYAM AND MEDITATION are two different things....and they are complimentary to each other.

Pranayama is control of prana inflow (it is not a breathing exercise only)

Prana control will control the mind...which becomes peaceful and is ready for meditation

Meditation is concentrating whole of your being whole of your mind on One Single Thought.

Some pranayama can be done without any guru, and some should not be.

normal Nadi-shodhan pranayaman, 1-4-2 pranayama, sitli pranayama and Bhramari pranayama can be done without proper guidace...

only 1-4-2 pranayama should be done slowly and never do retention beyond capacity. best is start with 4-16-8 and increase 1 second every month... taking upto 16-64-32 in one year is not harmful.

Pranayama is the biggest Tapas, it clears the nadis and controls the mind.. Pranayama done regularly for longer periods...can lead to samadhi, it also burns the old bad karmas

Answer 4

Pranayama is one of the eight steps to Samadhi as outlined in The Ashtanga Marga, the Path of Meditation, as set out by Patanjali. It is one of the pathways to God, part of the Hindu religion; some others being the Bhakti Marga (the path of devotion) , the Karma Marga (work) .... it goes on...a nice thing about Hinduism ..the different pathways offered ...

Pranayama. the study of the breath (Prana), comes before Dhyana which is meditation. Our breath must be in perfect poise, perfect equilibrium in order to reach our goals, so say the sages ... and certainly one cannot stay in meditation
(Dhyana) very long without one's breath being at peace ...so one must perfect the study of the breath....

Pranayama takes very good care of the physical body..... to have a live breath, an easy breath, a controlled breath that does not waver with emotions, fatigue, physical effort is a great achievement, a great pleasure because it keeps the body fit and keeps happy the person who lives inside the body, that person being you, the Jivi, the Atma and therefore an element of God.

The Ashtanga Marga
*************************
Yama
Niyama
Asana
Pranayama
Pratyahara
Dharana
Dhyana
Samadhi

The purpose of meditation is to still the mind so one can be in touch with God (which is the step of Samadhi) ...and from that point on, to *stay* in touch with God. As soon as that is achieved, one has work to do: Seva....service to God by taking care of each other, an act of devotion.

It is very interesting. Have a look!


love,
Lakshmi

Answer 5

Personally I wouldn't recommend learning pranayama from a book on your own. The best thing you could do is to learn from an experienced teacher, who can sculpt the practice to suit you & your needs. There is so much to learn & it would be a pity if your pranayama was not effective, because you had interpreted the instructions in a book incorrectly. Its like learning yoga asanas, you wouldn't really want to do that from a book would you?

Good wishes for energizing & relaxing pranayama.

Answer 6

Pranaam is a breathing excercise.
Meditation is an exercise in concentrating /focusing the mind on something.
since both help a pesdon develop his body and mind and work as excercises towards the personality development of the person generally they are done with the though of god of one'schoice in mind . The thoughts of persons doing these exercises work as auto sugestions and go to help devlop one's mind , body and potentials .

Answer 7

If I understand you right then they are almost same thing, it improve concentration.

Depends on the practise, teacher and ways of achieving inner peace with God and self.