Page 99 - Total War on PTSD

• Samadhi: Enlightenment/Awareness of higher consciousness – Mission Achieved
The Practice of Yoga
Hatha Yoga introduced in 15 AD by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage, is a system of postures. Hatha comes from the Sanskrit language — “ha” meaning “sun” and “tha” meaning “Moon” united pairs of opposites. Yoga is a mindfulness practice inclusive of physical postures, breath regulation and meditation practices.
Asana and Pranayama Practice
The physical practice is a controlled environment to notice the condensed energy in the body and habitual ways of reacting to confrontations and to learn to use tools or strategies to transform an outcome. As you manipulate the body to find the tension, you are developing self-awareness through conscious breath and mindfulness — synchronization of breath and movement regulates the nervous system, thereby reducing stress and anxiety and increasing resiliency.
According to Dr. Timothy McCall, Yoga as Medicine, “Breath is perhaps the most important tool in yoga practice.” Pranayama practice is breath regulation to develop correct normal breathing. Prana, a Sanskrit term meaning “absolute energy” is the universal vital life force that holds all things together; it is a physical, mental, spiritual and cosmic energy. Prana is connected through the breath and is the key that connects life to the universe. Ayama means “extend, draw out, restraint or control”.
Pranayama is the science of breath control and, according to Patanjali’s Sutra II. 49, “It is to be practiced only after perfection in asanas is attained.” Dr. Krishna Raman states, “In pranayama, the mind and consciousness is withdrawn deep inside to the core of the being”. The practice of Pranayama is the conscious expansion of the natural capacity for breath that ultimately allows the free and undisturbed flow of prana that quiets the mind and enables concentration or focus (dharana).
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