A similar question was put up to Anandmurti Gurumaa regarding whether the duration of our life is fixed by God or can it be elongated through the practice of yoga, pranayam and good diet.

Gurumaa says that as such lifespan is not fixed by God, but is determined by our actions and lifestyle. It can definitely be elongated through the regular practice of yoga, pranayam, good diet and following the rules of good health.

Besides that, she focuses on the point that happiness is within us, but a majority of us are not aware of its presence. So, we hanker here and there in life in the pursuit of happiness; we run after desires, lust and passion and take such actions that are detrimental to our health and inner bliss. This shortens our life span.

On the other hand, a person who is centered in his inner being finds the ocean of bliss and happiness within. He enjoys the best of health and is not affected by the ill-effects of any astrological phenomenon.

So, although death is certain to come one day, our life span can definitely be elongated through right living.

Gurumaa elucidates an ancient yogic breathing technique that helps not only to overcome the desires of lust, but also help in our spiritual evolution through the awakening of the chakras that are lying dormant within us.

True mastery over the self can be achieved only if we are able to use sex as a tool and are a master of the desires, feelings and emotions arising within us. And not the other way round – that we can carried over and are overpowered by the desires and feelings of greed, lust, anger, etc that arise in us.

Gurumaa gives us the master-key on how we can achieve this freedom from such urges. It’s amazing to see how yogic breathing technique is so effective in mind control, anger management and stress relief too!

Our breath is a powerful and a subtle force that binds the mind, body and senses together and integrates them. To be more precise, it is the prana (vital force present in air) that does this integration and keeps the body and mind healthy.

While Asanas (Yogic Poses) help to maintain our body’s health, vitality, vigor, energy and immunity, Pranayam implies exercises involving deep breaths and taking more oxygen within our lungs. It leads to a greater intake of vital pranic energy which deeply purifies and awakens the dormant lying chakras (subtle energy centers) within our body.

In this video, Gurumaa explains the process of practicing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama (Nadi Purifying Pranayama). The word “Nadi” means the nerve channels. It refers to those energy pathways through which the vital prana energy flows. “Shodhan” means an act of cleansing.

Benefits of Nadi Shodhan Pranayam

Nadi Shodhan Pranayam is quite simple and any individual can learn and practice it to reap its amazing benefits. Here are some of the health benefits of practicing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama -

1) It helps to strengthen the lungs and cures various types of lung’s diseases. A greater level of oxygen intake helps to overcome problems such as asthma and physical debility.

2) A higher intake of oxygen through breathing helps to cleanse the blood and purify it. It makes the skin healthy and naturally glowing. Pranayama is the secret to a long life and eternal youth.

3) Nadi Shodhan Pranayama is beneficial in various neurological disorders and also helps to sooth, calm, and de-stress the mind from anxiety and worries.

It helps in clearer thinking by balancing the left and the right hemispheres of the brain. It helps to improve concentration, memory and intelligence.