P R Ā N Ā
Music for Prānāyam
Manish Vyas
Published worldwide by Manish Vyas © and ℗ 2006
Music designed for Pranayam (breath) practice based on the yogic science of controlled, rhythmic, conscious breathing for body and mind wellness.
This is a project that developed through Manish's personal practice learnt from his Guru from India, who devised this amazing technique out of his own wisdom and lifetime experience with music and yogic techniques.
Manish has been practicing personally Pranayam for more than 20 years, so this music is a reflection of his own experimenting and rich musical expertise for the application of Yogic techniques like Pranayam and Dhyan, which were all born in India.
According to the Yoga Sutras, compiled by the sage Patanjali in 150 BCE, pranayama is one of the classical Eight Limbs of Yoga. Pranayam conscious practice helps to cleanse, balance, and purify our essential life force called PRANA in Sanskrit. Adding pranayama to our routine or our yoga and meditation practice can help us stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
Pranayam can be divided into Pran and Yam. Pran is the breath energy which is also the vital energy of this human system and yam means to control the breath in such a manner so as to have health and long life. Indian Ancient Rishis and Yogis have described about 70 types of Pranayams. However about 15 types of Pranayams are popular and essential for maintenance of good health and promote longevity.
PRANA
PRANAYAM PRACTICE SEQUENCE
aligned with music
1
Bhastrika Pranayam (Energise the Body and Mind) 10:46
2
Kapalbhati Pranayam (Release the Stress and Toxins) 8:44
3
Mahabandh: The Great Lock (Activate the Prana Shakti) 5:00
4
Ujjayi Pranayam (Remove Negative Thinking) 5:44
5
Nadi Shodhana Pranayam (Rejuvenate the Nervous System) 8:31
6
Bhramari Pranayam (Stabilise the Mind) 6:08
7
Udgeet Pranayam (Feel the Grace, Bliss and Contentment) 16:00
8
Shanti Mantra (Merge in Peace) 7:28
ॐ
bhastrika - The word “Bhastrika Pranayama” is comes from the Sanskrit word Bhastrika, which basically means breathing like a bellows (a device with an air bag that emits a stream of air when squeezed together with two handles, used for blowing air into a fire.) In Bhastrika Pranayama our lungs are moved with movements similar to the bellows. A powerful and energetic Pranayama in yoga breathing exercises with benefits such as: lungs strengthening, doshas balance, calming effect, gives heat, improves the immune system, cleanses toxins, etc.
kapaalbhati - This ancient breathing technique consists of short, powerful exhales and passive inhales. This exercise is a traditional internal purification practice, or kriya, that tones and cleanses the respiratory system by encouraging the release of toxins and waste matter. It acts as a tonic for the system, refreshing and rejuvenating the body and mind. Kapaal means skull, bhati means light - therefore it's sometimes referred to as 'skull brightening breath.'
Mahabandh - The Sanskrit word Bandh translates to “lock”, in yogic practices we perform locks to restrain and direct the flow of life force energy to the higher chakras. the slow, seductive, deeply relaxing bansuri flute played in this track will allow us to go deeper and immerse ourselves into this restoring ancient practice, while consciously activating the powerful prana energy which lies dormant in our body.
tribandh - This Practice of Pranayam along with three bandhas: Mula Bandha, Uddiyan Bandha and Jalandhar Bandha - purifies the mind and the senses and raises the energy of the lower chakras.
ujjayi - Ujjayi (उज्जायी) means "one who is victorious". Ujjayi Pranayama is a balancing and calming breath which increases oxygenation and builds internal body heat, it tones the lungs and encourages the flow of prana, while helping to regulate blood pressure and bringing oxygen to all parts of the lungs. To perform this technique, we inhale and exhale slowly and deep thru the nose while we keep contracted the back of the throat (glottis). It should not be loud, it should be heard only by the practitioner.
anulom vilom - ‘Anulom’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘alternate’. Therefore anuloma-Viloma is also called “Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique”. For closing nostrils alternatively you need to use ‘right hand thumb’ and ‘second & third fingers’. The left nostril represents energy of the moon which symbolizes peace and has cooling effect, hence for purification of innumerous Nadis (energy channels) of the body, anulom vilom should begin from the left nostril.
bhraamari - derives its name from the black Indian bee called Bhramari. Bhramari pranayama is effective in instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of agitation, frustration or anxiety and anger to a great extent. The exhalation in this pranayam resembles the typical humming sound of a bee, which sound vibrations have a natural calming effect.
omkaar - Omkaar, pronounced in its correct method, arouses and transforms every atom in the physical body, setting up new vibrations and conditions, and awakening the sleeping power. The chanting of AUM drives away worldly thoughts and removes distractions and can help improving the brain capacity and memory. Omkar chanting gives calmness and relaxation to our body and mind. As we inhale deeply while chanting AUM, we take more oxygen in, improving the capacity of lungs. Chanting of AUM improves confidence level and prepares us to face adverse circumstances of life, removing nervousness and fears from the mind. Chanting of OM before bed gives a deep sleep. OM is the mother of all sounds, the manifestation of God, the creator and substance of all matter. This holy vibration is the link between matter and spirit. Meditation on AUM is the way to realize the true Spirit-essence of all creation. Omkaar is the symbol of Brahman. AUM is the infinity, AUM is eternity. AUM is immortality. AUM is the source of everything. From AUM proceed all sounds.
relax
shanti mantra - ending the practice, this mantra is a call for Shanti, a prayer for peace within and without us. The Shanti mantra is a way to calm your mind creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere, while being blessed with harmony, peace, and bliss.
listen to samples
"Thank you very much for the wonderful music album exclusively for pranayama. Every music track of yours is a treasure trove for anyone who have started their journey towards finding inner peace. Your music composition gives deepening experience and quietens our mind." - Sanjeev
Yoga science of breathing is called prayanama. Oxygen is the most vial nutrient to our body. It is essential for the integrity of the brain, nerves, glands and internal organs. We can do without food for weeks and without water for days, but without oxygen; we will die within a few minutes.
Pranayama techniques are best practiced while sitting on the floor on a folded blanket. However; any other posture will do provided the back is kept erect from the base of the spine to the neck and perpendicular to the floor. Bad and poorly performed posture will lead to shallow breathing and low endurance. One must empty the bladder and bowels before starting pranayam.
Pranayama yoga must be performed in empty stomach. The best time for practice is the early morning, preferably before sunrise when the pollution is at its lowest level, and the body and brain are still free. However, if morning is unsuitable, pranayama may be practiced after sunset, when the air is cool and pleasant. The place suitable for all kinds of Yoga must be clean and calm.
THE SCIENCE OF BREATH
The Yogis regulated the rhythm of the circulation, of the heart and of every actuib if tge breath by the help of the vibration of music, of both tone and rhythm.
This brought them from the audible vibrations to the inward vibrations; that is to say from sound to breath.
For this, we have in India one word: sura, a name for both sound and breath.
Breath and voice are not two things; even breath and sound are not two things, if one could understand that both have the same basis.
H. I. Khan
"Rhythm is the principal thing to be considered in breath, upon which the whole mechanism depends. The main reason of irregularity of the beats of the heart or head is lack of rhythm in the breath."
LEARNING PRANAYAM and other Yogic techniques:
retreat conducted by Manish Vyas
For people interested in diving deeper into the techniques of Pranayam and other powerful tools from the Indian Yogic wisdom, Manish is conducting 2 to 3 retreats per year in Europe (he used to conduct in India, but now due to his location in Switzerland, it is more often happening in Europe.) This and other techniques with music are taught and explained in depth, giving the time and the proper space to practice; one can rest sure that Manish knows and understands the requirements to practice these highly effective methods devised by different Sages in India. Small groups of maximum 15 people are organized for this purpose.
"Very often the eastern mystical exercises are wrongly understood. When a teacher gives a breathing exercise to his pupil, often he does not mean the breathing itself but the rhythm."
"On breath depends the capability, thoroughness and efficiency with which one does one's work."
PRANAYAM is one of the many ancient yogic practices born in India. PRANAYAM is the 4th part within the 8 limbs of Yoga, coming after ASANA. The word pranayam from Sanskrit means "life force extension" since yogis believed that its genuine practice can actually extend life itself. Breathing techniques, when correctly applied, revitalize and rejuvenate the body and mind, bringing it to a harmonious state of being.
I designed the music for PRANA with the wise guidance of my spiritual master Gurudev, who, after years of contemplation, conceived this powerful sequence of breathing practice, based on the ancient Yogic approach. Added to this, with the incorporation of the appropriate rhythmical and melodious music, the whole practice becomes much more joyful, playful and enjoyable, translating into a timeless blissful journey within, to one’s essence. This practice is able to bring the practitioner to a space of purity, tranquility and silence - which are the core elements of a lifestyle of excellence, called Yoga.
Immense gratitude to my Guru for this amazing gift from true wisdom.
PRESS REVIEW
Many practitioners have experience with meditation music and also with asana practice combined with sound, which has been tried out by most. Music which serves as accompaniment for the yogic breathing exercises, is probably unknown to many. Years ago, Manish Vyas composed music for Pranayam, with his gentle, inspiring and authentic approach to Indian music, though so far it had only been available on his website. Now it is available on all major music platforms. The compositions, which are finely tuned to the practice of Pranayam and specifically support the practitioners, are a true journey of discovery that one can embrace with confidence. Manish Vyas has been practicing Pranayam for more than 20 years himself and has captured the qualities and effects of the different techniques as well as having been able to create perfectly matching sound compositions. For this he has used breathing techniques such as Ujjayi, Bhastrika, Anulom-Vilom, Kapalabhati, etc. In the end, a Shanti Mantra leads deep into the spirit of silence. The album is an absolute enrichment for the Pranayam practice - at least this is my personal feeling, reflected as well in the praising feedbacks of other enthusiastic practitioners. --Nina Haisken | Yoga Aktuell 8.2019
S U M M A R I Z E D I N F O R M A T I O N
According to the Yoga Sutras, Pranayam is one of the classical Eight Limbs of Yoga. Pranayam conscious practice helps to cleanse, balance, and purify our essential life force called PRANA in Sanskrit. Adding regularly Pranayam to our routine can help us stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Ancient Rishis in India have described about 70 types of Pranayams. However about 15 types are popular and essential for maintenance of good health and promote longevity.
Manish is a professional musician from India and also certified Hatha Yoga Teacher and Meditation Retreats facilitator. He has been practicing personally Pranayam for more than 20 years, and he shares this technique, to which he added the rhythm through the music for the practice. The technique includes 8 steps, with 7 pranayam styles, that flow from one to the next in a graceful and enjoyable way. Before the practice Manish explains in depth the technique and each breathing style, so that during the actual practice, one can close the eyes and flow into these healing and meditative exercises. The space is open also for questions and ends with a live mantra.
Manish talks about the music: "I designed the music for pranayam with the wise guidance of my spiritual master Gurudev, who came up with this sequence based on the ancient true Yogic approach. With the incorporation of the appropriate rhythmical and melodious music, the whole practice becomes much more joyful, playful and enjoyable, translating into a timeless blissful journey within, to one’s essence. This practice is able to bring the practitioner to a space of purity, tranquility and silence - which are the core elements of a lifestyle of excellence, called Yoga. The idea is that the participant can apply this tool on a regular basis for balance and inner and outer health."
“Breathing control or pranayama is a joyful song that soothes, purifies, energizes and harmonizes our body, mind and soul to create inner healing."