The Science of Brain Breathing: Part 1

This is the first part in our two part series on Brain Breathing.

The science of brain breathing is also known as SWARA YOGA. Swara means
sound of ones own breath, and yoga means union. Therefore it means a state of
union with God/ atma with the help of ones own breath.

It is the oldest science explaining about rhythms of pranic body by controlling prana
by manipulation of ones own breath by changing either swaras (ida, pingla,
sukshmana - Explained later). In the language of modern science, prana is
compared to the inherent energy/bioenergy of the body. Pra means constancy and
na means movement. Therefore prana is a force in constant motion like a vibration
moving to and fro without any interception. This can be the electromagnetic fields of
our body which can be detected by kirlian photography. The vedas clearly mention
about the pranic energy field around every human being. This is in the form of aura
of light. If we look at old pictures of saints and Gods then we find that their head is
surrounded by the circle of light. This swara yoga has been the major means of
tantric tradition in India for the upliftment of the soul to supreme.

Swara yoga should not be confused with pranayam as both deal with prana.
Pranayam is the methodology of breathing and controlling prana through various
breathing techniques, while swara yoga is the science that deals with the pranaic
rhythms by analyzing the type of breath.
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Swara yoga was first explained by primordial guru Shiva to his disciple Parvati.
Various other texts like Shiva Samhita, and Goraksha Samhita also mention a little
about it. The explanation by lord Shiva to Devi Parvati was recorded as swaroday
shastra. Swara is the breath flow and udaya means waking or rising.

According to this science, the analysis of breath unfolds the deeper secrets of
cosmos, giving ultimate wisdom/union with God. With this science, a practitioner
can become a perfected yogi, also known as siddha yogi.

We breathe 24 hours a day. Without breath we cannot normally stay alive for more
than 3 minutes. This normal regular breathing has a deep impact on our
consciousness and the body in general. With the gradual practice of swara one can
rise to the highest human consciousness.

If we attentively observe our breath then we will realize that we actually breathe
only through one nostril at a certain time, while from the other at other times, and
both at a particular time. Breathing from either nostril keeps on changing during
different times. It means we are affected by this alternate breathing pattern.
Physiologically speaking the nervous system level is also affected, as this breathing
produces certain stimulus in our body. This stimuli or alternate breathing pattern is
not random and irrational. It has coded meanings in it. Every hour or hour and
twenty minutes the nostril changes. This helps in physiological control of our
nervous systems.

We have 3 different types of swara i.e., flow of breath. They are ida, pingla and
sukshmana. The left nostril breathing is ida swara. The right nostril breathing is
pingla swara and when both the nostrils are open, then we call it as sukshmana
swara. It is not just by chance that the nostrils keep on changing. But it directly
relates to our brain hemispheres. In vedic terms mind it is referred to as CHITTA,
life force as PRANA, and spirit as ATMA.
The left nostril is related to mind energy, that is chitta, indicating that the life force
is weak. This happens when you are worried, memorizing or very thoughtful. The
right nostril indicates life force indicating that the pranic force is stronger and the
mental aspect is weaker. This happens when you are doing physical actions like
eating, walking talking, urinating etc.

Functioning of both the nostrils together, which we call sukshmana, indicates that
the spiritual force, spiritual energy is in power. This happens when you are praying
or meditating.

Chitta controls five sensory nerves in our body like eyes, nose, ears, tongue and skin.
Prana controls five organs of action that is speech, hands, feet, reproduction and
excretory organs.

Each of our actions can be classified under these 3 types of swara, viz left for mental
actions, right for physical actions and both swaras together in spiritual actions. This
means if the right nostril flows while we are meditating, then we will have physical
obstacles, like unstableness or restlessness of body. Similarly if the left nostril is
flowing while meditation, then though physically we are undisturbed, but the mind
will wander here and there. It is only that when both the nostrils are open, that our
mind becomes one pointed and focused.

We will further learn how to correct our swaras for correct action, so as to bring
mind-body and soul in perfect harmony.

The right and left swara function like positive and negative currents in our body. It
is only that when both the currents are on, our spiritual powers are on. This brings
a body in disease to a free state. These positive and negative currents are compared
to the positive and negative ions of the human body. And it is a proven fact about
how these ions affect our whole body mechanisms. And therefore Swara yoga claims
that with the manipulation of the breath flowing in and out through our nose we can
regulate the inner body mechanisms and develop control over all pranic and mental
activities.

It is a very well known proven fact that any disturbance in breathing affects the
entire circulatory system, all visceral, reproductory and excretory system. Eg. The
obstruction in the air flow inside increases the heart rate and decreases tissue
oxidation. Further, disturbing in the alkaline base levels of the blood.

It is a surprising fact that the proportion of autonomic nerve fibres in the nasal
cavity is said to be twenty times more than the other parts of the central nervous
system. Breathing also affects our emotions and the release of different
neurotransmitters.

The ida, the negative channel brings consciousness into every part of the body. Its
energies are compared with that of the moon and hence also known as lunar nadi.
Ida is associated with the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for
the stimulation of visceral organs. Thereby creating relaxation of the superficial
muscles and thereby lowering the body temperature. It is for these reasons that it is
said to be cooling, relaxing and introverting.

Pingla is a transmitter of prana shakti. Its energies are compared to that of the sun
and hence also known as solar nadi. It activates the physical body and externalizes
the awareness. It is associated with the sympathetic nervous system, which releases
the adrenaline to stimulate the superficial muscles. This system prepares the body to
fight against stress and external activities. It is for this reason that it is said to be
energizing, heating and extroverting.

The cerebrum consists of the right and left hemispheres. The right hemisphere is
governed by the left side of the body and the left hemisphere governs the right side
of the body. Ida is connected to the right hemisphere and pingla to the left. The
right hemisphere is thus responsible for psychic and extrasensory perception, and
stimulates creative, artistic and musical abilities, while the left hemisphere is
responsible for sequentially, linearly and logical abilities. In this way the
hemispheres in association with the nadis, control and motivate our responses in day
to day life.

By – Dr. Hiren Parekh

http://www.healthjockey.com/2008/06/23/the-science-of-brain-breathing-part-1/