Thank you for your interest in pranayama. Due to popular demand I am putting together a list of some of the benefits of pranayama. There are so many rewards it is difficult to know where to begin - what to include and what to leave out. We live in an intellectual world - where the physical and what we can see rules our behaviour. There are many things that science has yet to explain or discover. Pranayama helps us to equally engage and balance both the masculine or logical part of our brain with the intuitive feminine side of our brain. Prana is the link between our mind, body and consciousness. Prana is the constant movement of awareness. Prana is the vital life-force that is contained in every particle in our Universe, it literally drives the Universe; it is our Universe and nature itself. The Chinese call it Chi, the Japanese call it Ki. Prana is essential for every living creature, including us human beings. From the moment we take our first breath as we emerge from the womb we are living - when we take our last breath we die. Breathing is life. Breathing is vital for our survival. Therefore in our bodies the physical movement of prana is the act of breathing - drawing in oxygen from the atmosphere around us. Yogis such as those in the Himalayas, often don't count their age in years but by the number of breaths. The world renowned Ayurvedic Physician, Dr Vasant Lad (who has also embraced Western medicine and surgery) explains beautifully the concept that lies behind pranayama. He says "breathing is the physical part of thinking; and thinking is the psychological part of breathing". Every thought changes the rhythm of your breath and every breath changes the rhythm of your thinking. For example if you are happy, blissful and silent - your breathing is calm and rhythmic. However when you are anxious, fearful or nervous then your breathing is irregular and interupted. Therefore by practicsing pranayama we can learn how to manage our mental activity via our breath. Breathing is everything. It is the key to unlock our hidden potential and stimulate the hidden recesses of our brain. * For sports men and women regular practise of pranayama will improve your physical and mental performance giving you that vital edge. As in the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius", pranayama enables you to achieve the goals of being "Faster, Higher, Stronger". * Pranayama helps to boost your lung capacity, speeds up your recovery after injury and increased awareness helps to prevent injuries from happening in the first place. Pranayama is a great motivational tool because it balances your physical and mental endeavours. Engaging your spirituality promotes clarity along with a positive and optimistic mind set. Pranayama can help to boost your training and physical endurance. * If you are overweight - pranayama will help you to lose excess weight and regain the natural weight for your frame. It is a "workout" in itself. If you are underweight , pranayama will help you gain weight by stimulating your digestive fire and appetite. Pranayama is a balancer. * If you are ill or in pain - pranayama will oxygenate and cleanse the tiniest of capillaries, improve your digestion and processes of elimination from the body. It promotes a happier frame of mind which also helps your recovery. * If you are stressed and not performing as well as you would like at work - pranayama gives you a breathing space. A chance to delve deep in to your soul and evaluate your priorities. With clarity comes increased focus and energy. All obstacles in your life will become opportunities to celebrate. When we connect with our spiritual nature, we connect with our prana and therefore we are better equiped to lead a long, happy and healthy life.