Pranayama - Anahat Yoga

Pranayama

Pranayama occupies the second place in “Hathayoga”, while it constitutes the fourth step of Patanjali’s ‘Ashtagayoga’.

Start practising pranayama when you become well-versed with asanas, that is when a stage of asanjaya (sidha) is achieved so that one can sit for hours together, steadily and comfortably.

‘Prana’ means the vital life force that provides energy to different organs (including the mind) and controls many vital life processes (circulation, respiration, etc.).

‘Ayama’ signifies the voluntary effort to control and direct this prana.

This is the only pranic activity that can be voluntarily regulated. The breathing system is linked with the nervous system and the mind. Yoga utilizes this connection to effectively control the mind through the regulation of breathing.

Pranayama means a voluntary and temporary pause in the movement of breath—breath is a door between our physical existence and spiritual path.

“Tasminsati Shvasaprashvasayor gativichchedah Pranayamah”
— Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.49

The meaning: The pause brought in the movement of inhalation and exhalation is Pranayama.

“Chale vate chalam chittam nishchale nishchalam bhavet yogi sthanutvamapnoti tato vayum nirodhayet.”
— Hathapradipika 2.2

As long as breathing continues, the mind remains unstable. When breath stops, the mind also becomes still. By mastering the breath, a yogi attains steadiness of consciousness.

Pranayama primarily aims at controlling the mind. When it is calm, no thought or emotional disturbance exists. With regular practice, one gains lung capacity, concentration, calmness, and overall well-being.

The duration of Kumbhaka (retention) follows a ratio like 1:2:2 or 1:4:2. The duration of Rechaka (exhalation) should be twice that of Puraka (inhalation).