Kriyas, Full Breathing and Pranayama by Rutu Panjwani

KRIYAS:

Kriyas are cleansing practices. In the sense, we practice kriyas daily, like bathing, washing, brushing, etc. are all Kriyas. But yogic Kriyas refer to special yoga techniques developed by yogis, meant to clean internal organs. Amongst the Kriyas, there are 6 major kriyas called Sat Kriyas.
Expample of breathing in Kriya is Kapalbhati.

FULL BREATHING:

This is preparatory breathing practice for Pranayama. It corrects wrong breathing patterns and increases the vital capacity of the lungs. It has 4 primary patters:

1.  Abdominal breathing
2. Thoracic breathing
3. Upper Lobar Breathing
4. Full yogic breathing (Main)

PRANAYAMA

“Pranayama is control of Breath”. “Prana” is Breath or vital energy in the body. On subtle levels prana represents the pranic energy responsible for life or life force, and “ayama” means control. So Pranayama is “Control of Breath”. One can control the rhythms of pranic energy with pranayama and achieve healthy body and mind.
Example: Nadi Shonana, Shitli & Shithkari, etc…

Difference between Kriya, Full yogic breathing and Pranayama.

Effect	Kriya	Yogic Full Breathing	Pranayama
1. Breathing Rate	About 120/mt. Washing away CO. and increased oxygen concentration	About 15/mt. Full utilization of all muscles. Normal breathing	Less than 5 breathes/mt
2. Respiratory Muscles	Exercised Briskly	Complete movement of all groups of muscles	Complete movement of all groups of muscles Controlled slow movement
3. Circulation	Greatly increased, greater concentration of oxygen in blood	Slightly increased, more oxygen can be supplied to tissues	Less demand than normal
4. Nervous system	Quick, repetitive nerve impulses, stimulating effect.	Normalized nerve impulse.	Reduced excitability of nerve impulses.
5. Brain cells	Activated, greater alertness	Harmonious functioning.	Deep rest to brain cells.
6. Metabolic rate	Increased greatly, energy expenditure is more.	Normalized. Proper utilization of energy.	Decreased considerably. Energy conserved and dormant energies are evoked.
7. Overall Personality	Shatter (Tamas). Creates more activeness	Channelises the Rajas. Unnecessary wastage of energy is cut. Becomes more healthier	Potential capabalities are evoked. Mind becomes calmer. One feels fresh, relaxed and dynamic.
8. Limitations	Should be avoided by people with High BP, Heart disease, Vertigo, Epilepsy, Hernia, Gastric ulcer, Slip disc, Spondylosis, Women during menses and advanced stage of Pregnancy.	No Limitations	No limitations except those with cold and cough should avoid Shithali and Sthithkari Pranayams.

by Rutu Trivedi Panjwani