Prānāyāma 101

One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is that once you breathe the rarified air of the yoga community, it’s hard to remember that some common yoga terms are not rest of the world terms. The blank stares I received while talking with a new student about prānāyāma reminded me of this recently. So, what Is prānāyāma?

Here are the basics

Prānāyāma is a Sanskrit term often translated as "breath control". It's an important aspect of yoga that focuses on the pattern of breathing. Prānāyāma is made up of two words: 'prāna' meaning life force or vital energy, especially as it's manifested in the breath, and 'āyāma' which means control or extension.

The practice is considered a core part of yoga because it's a method of controlling and directing the energy within the body. There are several types of prānāyāma exercises, such as Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Kapalabhati (skull shining breath), and Ujjayi (victorious breath), among others.

In general, breathing exercises are regularly found to improve mental clarity, physical health, and spiritual growth. They can help reduce stress, improve focus and attention, and promote a sense of inner peace. In yoga, prānāyāma is about developing a deeper sensitivity to breathing and the breath itself. This sensitivity allows for the breath to be a tool for physical health as well as an object of awareness and meditation.

In the future I’m planning for outlining and posting some prānāyāma practices and sequences. Stay tuned!

As always, prānāyāma should always be learned under the guidance of a knowledgeable instructor.