V.N.Mittal
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Hundreds of thousands of people in India and worldwide have been healed of their ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes and other serious and chronic diseases as a result of regular practice of seven selective pranayam (deliberately controlled breathing) techniques. The package has been scientifically developed by the great master Yogiraj Swami Ram Dev who is organizing large number of programmes in big cities in India which have also received coverage in the TV media. The author here expounds the amazing healing power of these techniques, based on his own experience.
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INTRODUCTION
When I started learning the package of seven yogic pranayam techniques of Yogiraj Swamy Ram Dev in India about two years back, I did not realize that it would turn out to be the greatest healer for me and would become a part of my regular practice, eventually. I was already into natural healing arts through teaching of Reiki; Art of Living ; Sujok therapy; Acupressure ; and Reflexology, which I practiced regularly to keep my body and soul together in my late sixties but I always missed something which could bring me to a deeper meditative state besides addressing my physical problems effectively. The amazing package which has healed hundreds of thousands of people in India and worldwide provided me the answer.

IMPORTANCE OF PRANAYAM
The importance of Prana or the breath as an instrument to control diseases is recognized universally. In fact, no life is possible without breathing .Breathing may be considered as the most important of all the functions of the body for indeed all the other functions depend on it. .Prana (Chi) is thus rightly called as the life force energy and the art of modification of normal form of prana through its conscious control is known as pranayam. In view of its importance the Yogis from times immemorial have emphasized on the need of regular practice of Pranayam for harmony of body, mind and spirit. Pranayam is the fourth limb of the eightfold Yoga system founded by Maharishi Patanjali and is capable of addressing all kinds of physical and mental ailments.

THE PACKAGE
The twenty minutes’ package has been scientifically developed and redesigned by Yogiraj Swami Ram Dev . It comprises of seven well known pranayam techniques of Maharishi Patanjali namely (i). Bhastrika Pranayam for 3 mnts to 5 mnts, (ii). Kapalbhati, Pranayam 5to10 minutes .(iii) Bahayya kumbhak Pranayam with three bandhs for 2 mnts ,
(iv). .Anulom- Vilom Pranayam 5.mnts (v) Bhramri Pranayam , two minutes
( a minimum of three cycles) (vi) Om chanting 3 times and (vii) Nadi Shodhan 3 to 10 cycles. A strict regime of regular practice of these techniques for twenty minutes as briefly explained in the following paragraphs, guarantees maintenance of good health and healing from over weight problems, hyper- tension , diabetes to serious and even chronic ailments. It also works as a prophylactic to ward off future ailments.

The Yogiraj is organizing regular programmes on the TV and training camps in various cities in India which are being attended by a very large number of people to heal themselves of their diseases. The results are simply amazing. A gigantic project for the establishment of Patanjali Institute of Yogic Reseach is under way in India.

BHASTRIKA PRANAYAM
Seated in a meditatative posture (Asana) like sukhasana (sitting cross –legged) or in Vajra Asana (sitting on your heels) or on a chair with your spine straight and inhaling upto the diaphram and exhaling with full force is known as Bhastrika Pranayam . It involves rapid movement of the belly like the bellows of a blacksmith. In this pranayam, equal emphasis is laid on the inhalation and exhalation which should be done in slow speed or medium speed or fast speed depending on your practice, capacity and state of health. .Those having weak heart or week lungs should do Bhastrika with slow speed. This pranayam should be done for a minimum of 2 minutes to a maximum of 5 minutes. For better results, you may also simultaneously visualize that the divine power, energy, joy and peace are entering your body through the process of breathing.

KAPALBHATI PRANAYAM
Kapalbhati which means shining skull or forehead , is the next technique . KBP is also done in the same sitting posture, the whole attention is given to on exhalation alone and no effort is applied to inhale. However, breath is allowed to be inhaled in quantity that one would have drawn in, in a natural course. During the process, you may experience expansion and contraction(while you breathe out) of your abdomen muscles. The minimum time allotted to this pranayam is 5 minutes to a maximum of 10 minutes with a short break for rest in between, if necessary. While exhaling, one should visualize that all the diseases and toxins are being thrown out with each exhalation. Highly effective in controlling obesity, diabetes, kidney and prostate diseases, heart, brain and lung problems and many other diseases, this technique increases the glow on the face of the practitioner.

BAHYA PRANAYAM (WITH MAHABANDHA)

It is marked by exhalation of breath and suspension or retention of the breathing process while also applying mahabandha. A Mahabandha(a bandha means physical lock to control the flow of prana ) is comprised of three bandhas. namely Jalandhur Bandha
( touching the chin on the pit located near the base of throat); Uddiyana Bandha ( pulling the stomach in so as to touch the back)) and Mula bandha (pulling up the peridieum by contracting the anus and tightening of the lower abdomen) In Mahabandha ,all the three bandhas are applied together.

Remain seated in one of the meditative postures, first breathe in and fill your lungs upto diaphragm and then breathe out with full force and suspend the breathing process , simultaneously applying the Mahabandha. Maintain this position till you feel like inhaling again. Now exhale releasing the three bandhas gradually. It completes one cycle of Bahya with mahabandha. A minimum of three such cycles are recommended which take two minutes to complete. While doing this pranayama also do not forget to visualize that all your diseases and toxins are being thrown out with each exhalation.

ANULOM-VILOM PRANAYAMA
This pranayam(AVP) is done with alternate breathing from the left and right nostrils for cleansing of Nadis. (energy meridians). Start with the slow inhalation from the left nostril first by closing the right nostril with the middle of right hand thumb ,and after fully filling the lungs, breathe out slowly from the right nostril by closing the left nostril with the left hand middle and ring fingers. Now breathe in from the right nostril by closing the left nostril in the above manner and exhale from the left nostril by closing the right nostril with the right thumb. It completes one cycle. Continue cycles of alternate breathing for 5 to 10 minutes with break for rest after each minute, if required.Gradually, with practice, the speed of breathing can be increased to medium and to fast. While you do this pranayam visualize that the Divine power and the Divine knowledge is being bestowed upon you in the process. The practice of this pranayam for 5 minutes a day will result in activation of the Muladhar Chakra (Root Chakra) causing the arousal of Kundalini power (dormant serpentine power located on the root chakra) due to the arousal of Sushumna nadi as a consequence of repeated rubbing and churning of the breath in the Ida and Pingla Nadis .

The practice of AVP for a period of three to four months can open up thirty to forty percent of the heart arteries’ blockages. This pranayama alleviates all the diseases of the body, leads to the state of joy, enthusiasm for living , fearlessness, peace of mind and deep meditation.

BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA
Bhramara means a bumble bee. The Pranayam gets its name from the resounding sound produced like the bumble bee, during exhalation.

After breathing in fully, place both of your thumbs of the hands inside the ears so as to close the latter , place index fingers on both sides of the forehead and the three fingers each on both sides of the nose. Slightly pressing the sides of the nose exhale from both the nostrils, as if chanting OM from the nose ,making a humming sound like a bee.
This Pranayam activates the third eye chakra .

OM CHANTING.
Om has a universal sound . Chant Om loudly for three times to as many times you desire. It brings you in meditative state and helps insomnia patients to get sleep.

NADI SHODHAN PRANAYAMA
This pranayam is meant to purify Ida, Pingla and Shushumna Nadis.and is similar to AVP with a small difference that is the inhaled breath is retained and only two bandhas namely Jalandhar bandha and Mool bandha are applied instead of Mahabandha. This pranayam should be done taking deep breaths with extremely slow speed .The secret of an effective NSP lies in maintaining the ratio as(1-2-2 ) that is if time taken in inhalation is 10 seconds, then the breath has to be retained in for 20 seconds and outside for 20 seconds after exhalation. While doing this pranayam, it may be ensured that there is no sound produced during inhalation and exhalation. Only three cycles to a maximum of 10 cycles of NSP are required to be done
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BENEFITS
The Pranayama package offers multiple benefits. It addresses the diseases of the chest, heart, and brain. Highly effective in controlling diabetes, migraine, gastric problem, constipation, breathing allergy, kidney diseases ,even chronic diseases like cancer, the practice of the seven techniques of the package promises to improve immunity to diseases, detoxify the body , bring a glow on the face, improve eyesight and save the practitioner from stress and depression. One can achieve spiritual power due to activation of the chakras (body energy centres) in the process which results in arousal of the dormant serpentine energy known as Kundalini, the power of which is simply spectacular.

DISCLAIMER
This article purports to give only guidelines and is no substitute of a practical training .For further information on the subject,the readers may contact the author on e mail ;mittalvn@hotmail.com
Tel:0065-64657035