Introduction
As we have already discussed in our earlier blogs that Pranayama is made up of two words Prana +Ayama, prana means “vital energy/ jeevni shakti” and ayama means “regulation” or “control” and also “expansion”. Prana is breath or life force and its expansion is Ayama. Pranayama, therefore, means the practice of Yoga which expands and strengthens vital energy or we can say that the Samyama of prana is called pranayama.
Now it is experimentally proved that Pranayama is a scientific method or tool to make life healthy, happy and long. It works on a very subtle level; “pranayama” is a word that is known by everyone in the world today. Some people also know it as a form of breathing exercise. Everyone practices Pranayama, it is an imperative practice. It connects the body and mind, so it becomes even more important; it not only works on the systems of this physical body but also works on our mind as a whole. It gives us the power to control our state of mind by controlling our breathing. In this article, we will see the list of fifty physiological benefits of Pranayama on human body.
50 Physiological benefits of Pranayama
When we practice Pranayama (the yogic practice of breath control) then we know that it has numerous benefits on the physiology of the human body. Some of the key benefits or I would say most of the benefits i.e. 50 are given below.
1. Increases oxygen supply to the body
2. Improves lung function in the body
3. Boosts circulation in the body
4. Enhances immune function of our body
5. Regulates blood pressure
6. Balances the nervous system
7. Reduces stress and anxiety
8. Improves cognitive function
9. Enhances concentration and focus
10. Improves digestion
11. Boosts energy levels
12. Enhances detoxification
13. Improves sleep quality
14. Balances hormone levels
15. Strengthens the respiratory system
16. Improves cardiovascular health
17. Increases endurance and stamina
18. Enhances athletic performance
19. Boosts metabolism
20. Improves posture
21. Enhances flexibility
22. Strengthens the core muscles
23. Improves balance and coordination
24. Enhances overall physical health
25. Increases body awareness
26. Helps in weight management
27. Improves overall fitness levels
28. Enhances relaxation and reduces muscle tension
29. Improves skin health and complexion
30. Boosts the immune system
31. Balances the autonomic nervous system
32. Enhances mental clarity and focus
33. Rejuvenates the body
34. Alleviates headaches and migraines
35. Improves lung capacity
36. Regulates blood sugar levels
37. Enhances detoxification of the body
38. Improves respiratory health
39. Improves digestion and metabolism
40. Helps in managing chronic pain
41. Enhances emotional well-being
42. Boosts creativity and intuition
43. Enhances mental clarity
44. Reduces inflammation in the body
45. Boosts overall vitality and energy levels
46. Improves circulation of lymphatic fluids in the body
47. Enhances the function of the endocrine system
48. Improves posture and body alignment
49. Improves overall physical and mental well-being
50. Enhances the overall quality of life of human being
LET’S SUM UP
By the above brief discussion about Pranayama/the yogic breathing and its fifty physiological benefits, we can conclude that it is one of the essential practices among the different limbs of Yoga. Some practices of Yoga work on the bodily level while some work on the mental level, then there is pranayama which works on both, it is a practice through which we can control our mind as respiration and state of mind affect each other. Pranayama is a skillful pause during normal breathing at different levels.
We will explore more about the pranayama with upcoming articles. If you liked the article, make sure to subscribe and comment for more such articles.