Practice pranayama in bed

Practice pranayama in bed

Pranayama is the controlled inhalation and exhalation of the breath. It is a centuries old practice and tradition that takes some mastering and controlling. One of the most wonderful outcomes of practicing pranayama is the slowing of the busy mind and calming of the nervous system.

Pranayama takes some time to come to grips with and understand, quite some time indeed. Many yoga teachers believe that the student must first learn the asanas as a way of realizing the power of the breath. This seems to be quite true to me. Once I really began to practice Ashtanga Yoga I came to understand how powerful a tool the breath is and learning to control it can actually change your life.

Pranayama is something that I learnt far later on in my yoga practice. It was very difficult for me to begin with as I did not have much mastery of my mind and it was just so chatty. Didn’t stop talking. Could even outweigh the teachers words in my class. Chat, chat, chat. “Goodness me” I thought, “will you just give it a rest”. No, my mind did not want to do that.

It took my many attempts and countless mornings chatting with myself until I began to hear my breath over the endless chatter of my mind. Funny, sad, impatient, cranky, I had it all going on upstairs. Busy, busy, busy.

After many, many months I started to learn some control of my breath and therefore my mind. It was a very startling thing for me to experience. The feelings of calm and light were amazing and initially quite liberating. Actually, it continues to be totally liberating and I always want to practice pranayama but do not always find myself in a strong enough mental state to actually start the practice.

Hence the title of this article. Every time I begin to practice my pranayama exercises my mind tries to trick me out of it. “Don’t do it, just chill out instead, make some coffee”, anything really. But, if I persist and begin the breathing, it is very quickly followed by a calm and pure feeling of myself. Just me, not me and my mind. Very good.

My decision to start practicing pranayama in bed was taken after one of my yoga girlfriends confided in me that she did this each morning. She found it easier than getting out of bed and confronting the busy and neglectful mind she found herself blessed with. She said that when she just sat up and began the exercises straight away it was easier for her.

So I tried it and also found it good.

Awaking in bed and taking a few minutes to find myself and the day I sit up and survey my scene. Kids still asleep, good, husband by my side, yep. At this time of day I am sometimes abit stiff so I use my pillows as necessary to allow myself an upright spine. Something absolutely essential for successful pranayama practice. Legs crossed or in lotus, however the weather and the day dictates, I begin.

Directing the breath up into my chest and beginning my series I am mostly pleased to say that my mind is at its quietest after a good nights sleep. I can just sail on into the breathing and fly with it. It is truly a delightful space to find myself. My family are happily ensconced in sleep, around and beside me and I am talking with God and filling myself with light.

My kids are now used to this with me and if they awake and come into our bed (as is their morning custom) they will lie there and drink in the energy and not interrupt me. Very magical and wonderful.

Pranayama in bed is fun and good for the soul. In yoga class it is also beautiful but for me, practicing daily tests my resolve and my bedroom and my beloved bed are a place of safety for me and welcome pranayama into their space.

Give it a go, it is quite simply light filled and lovely.......

Make sure your teacher shows you the correct method first though.