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Strange problem...any advice would help!

dwilson
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May 9, 2005, 12:24 PM

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Strange problem...any advice would help!	Can't Post

I have been practicing yoga for a while now but I am very new to Pranayama and I am having great difficulty concentrating on my breath, or more precisely controlling it. My problem is not a lack of concentration that aspect is fine... however when I concentrate on my breath I suddenly feel anxious and very lightheaded and once I begin concentrating on it seems as though I am not getting enough air and I can not get back to a regular state with out lying down and trying to slowly separate my thoughts from my breath. I know logically while this is happening to me that I am not in any danger and I am in control of my breath but the feeling just becomes to overwhelming. This is not an entirely new issue for me I have had instances like this, on occasion, while simply doing asanas, meditating, or even sitting at my desk it just seems that Pranayama will cause it with out fail. I was wondering if anyone had any similar experiences and if anyone knows of any ways to overcome this issue I have developed.

Namaste
Kadama

Nadia
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May 9, 2005, 6:10 PM

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Re: Strange problem...any advice would help! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Could it be that you are taking too long breaths? I find that since I am not very experienced in breathing techniques, taking too long breaths can make me feel a bit like I am not getting enough oxygen. Lack of oxygen can make you feel light headed, and I find that this feeling can give you a bit of a shock, and in turn make you a bit anxious, and then your mind panics. If you are prone to this kind of reaction randomly, then I can see how concentrating you mind on it too much could make you unconsciously too aware of it or make you worry. Do you practice pranayama by yourself? I've read that you should practice it with a teacher because it can be so powerful, and with the experiences that you are having, it would be much more helpful for you if you had someone you felt comfortable with to help guide you and help combat these problems.

DamienL
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May 9, 2005, 7:36 PM

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Re: Strange problem...any advice would help! [In reply to]	Can't Post

The mind can do many strange and wonderful things. First question is are you practising pranayama with the aid of a teacher? Do you start pranayama lying in savasana and just watching the breath (Ujjayi I). Does anxiety arise when you do this? If not next stage would be lengthening of the exhalation with normal inhalation, then lengthened inhalation normal exhalation.. then both lengthened inhalation and exhalation, all while lying in savasana. Breathing should not be forced and if anxiety arises and doesn't pass by I would return to just observing the breath.
I myself have started pranayama this year with the aid of a teacher and felt light headed and faint when doing viloma pranayama. What caused this was the sensation of the blood moving from the abdominal region into the chest region (I have had a weak stomach when it comes to blood and internal organs since being a teenager). This for me purely exists in the mind and some anxiety can arise when I sit for pranayama. By taking it slowly and returning to Ujjayi I when I feel faint and lying down if need be I am able to remain calm.

Best Wishes

peggyh
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May 10, 2005, 8:50 AM

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Re: Strange problem...any advice would help! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Please visit the yoga and asthma thread on this site, under Medical. Even if you don't have asthma, you may find my post about Buteyko helpful. It sounds like you are overbreathing--hyperventilating, which can cause anxiety and a feeling of breathlessness, lightheadedness, etc. Please, consult an experienced Iyengar teacher, and look into Buteyko to understand why it's happening and how to prevent it. Basically, you need to take less deep breaths, I think, and focus on attenuating the breath, slower, thinner, longer. Good luck--
ph

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