Hi everyone, I’ve been practicing Yoga for about 4 months now, and I’m 17. I would really like to start practicing pranayama, however, in most of the books i’ve read it says that pranyama MUST be practiced with the guidance of an experienced teacher. Is this true? I would like to practice alternate nostril breating specificly, and some other basic pranayama, but am not sure if it is wise to start without direct teacher guidance.
Thanks, Namaste
One thing that you can do that is if you haven’t done it already to is just do a search on the net…try “Pranayama witout a teacher”. http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?query=Pranayama+without+a+teacher&invocationType=spelling
Well, alternate nostril breathing is pretty benign but the thing about pranayams in general is that along with the breath you are also moving energy. If your body and energy levels/layers/bodies and nadis haven’t had the proper groundwork laid enabling you to work with the breath and energy in certain ways safely, the practice could be dangerous.
Be cautious. And try finding a teacher in your area who teaches pranayams.
Here are two more sites. Breathing is part of life…we do it everyday unconciously and consciously so there is no need to fear in terms of basic working with breath. Sports, martial arts, yoga, swimming, dance, meditations…etc…etc all work with being breath and alot of these folks are now learning to work with breath more consciously. Make sure to note any health concerns for yourself. Why not start with the basics you already have the tools and ability…until you get to a center or teach for more complex breath work.
http://www.yogapoint.com/info/pranayama.htm
http://www.yogasite.com/pranayama.htm
Lets us know how its all turns out!
Good Luck
I agree that some breathing exercises are benign. I also know that some teachers may not teach safe practices. I just want to caution anyone working with energy or breath and energy to do so safely.
I’ve had students show me practices they’ve picked up here and there and I cringe with what they’re doing and with what it is doing to them.
Sometimes people become “energy junkies” shooting energy up into the head because of the “high” it gives them. Very very hard on you. These people often end up extremely stressed and wired and have no idea why.
A great basic practice that is nonyogic but that you can learn safely from a book and that can be very beneficial is BK Frantzis’ Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body. Once you are grounded with this you’ll be in a much better position to try other practices in a safer way.