Is it true when we control our breath during pranayam we control our thoughts also?

Question

Is it true when we control our breath during pranayam we control our thoughts also?

Answer 1

Greetings banjaran,

Good question banjaran. From my experience I will say that indeed pranayama is effective in stilling the mind, thereby controlling thought. However, in meditation and pranayama, I tend to avoid the word control and let the mind flow. It is here that I assume the status of a detached witness who is prior to the arising of mind. The thoughts flow by like fluffy clouds in the sky, but to me they are of no concern. Pranayama brings about a state of a calm mental clarity and is excellent prior to meditation, or is an excellent practice for visualization and meditation on its own.

  Pranayama can be defined as breath control but, ultimately pranayama means to extend or expand prana, the vital energy/life force existing in all things animate and inanimate. To understand how the thought process can be effectively stilled we must first look at the four aspects of pranayama which are pooraka (inhalation), rechaka (exhalation), antar kumbhaka (internal breath retention) and bahir kumbhaka (external breath retention). The most important aspects of pranayama is kumbhaka, the retention of breath. However, when one assumes a pranayama practice the basics should be practiced before the more advanced techniques are undertaken. The lungs need to be strengthened, and the nervous system and pranic bodies (koshas) need to be balanced. Proper breathing is important for vibrant mental and physical health. Incorrect breathing shortens the human lifespan and also leads to a disordered mental state. Pranayama teaches one to breath in a correct, calm manner. A calm mental state is void of mental conflict such as anxiety, anger, other negative emotions and mental states.  

Pranayama practices are purifying activating the nadis by influencing pranic flow, which induces physical and mental stability. The practice of pranayama is highly effective because it introduces correct breathing while also enhancing breath awareness. Practicing pranayama with kumbhaka is very relevant because it is here that the flow of prana is contolled, therefore the mind calms and the thought process is controlled. When the mind has been calmed and stilled prana flows more freely in the nadis through the chakras hereby leading to ther higher dimensions of consciousness thus a higher spiritual experience. I hope this answer is helpful.

Answer 2

I love all forms of Yoga.  Using your breath is one of the things that military medical support groups are using for PTSD.  Also another way the medical field is using breathwork is teaching COPD patients to expand their lungs to avoid further problems.

I've seen a male that use to be a smoker start using the breathwork to control his addiction and it helped him mentally and physically

Answer 3

Temporarily.

Answer 4

Its little difficult to control at the start or beginning but later we can easily control our thoughts with our breath.

Answer 5

During pranayam your concentration should be only on mind and yes you can control your thoughts , however it's not an easy task. One should have complete control on his mind and body and Yoga helps us to get that control .

Answer 6

First you get concentration.Then it should be one the God and others your thoughts

Answer 7

It brings the mind back to reality where we witness the truth of creation as Kundalini {ourselves as well as everything in existence} rising from the source {blissful being}.