Sway with San

Sage Patañjali defines yoga (in Rāja Yoga Sūtras) as yogaś-citta-vṛittinirodhah which means ‘yoga is the suspension of modifications of mind’. Proper breathing is not only essential to bring in more oxygen to the lungs, blood and brain; but also, to gain control over prāṇa (the vital energy) which would lead to control over thoughts or mind. Prāṇāyāma is the science of breath control. The knowledge and control of prāṇa is called Prāṇāyāma.

Broadly Prāṇāyāma is practiced in the following stages:

• Puraka (inhalation),

• Kumbhaka (breath retention),

• Rechaka (exhalation) and

• Sunyaka (time after the exhalation till next inhalation).