pranayama
Controlled breath practice
Pranayama is the practice of breath control in yoga, involving specific techniques for inhaling, exhaling, and holding the breath.
Practitioners use pranayama to regulate energy flow, calm the mind, and prepare for meditation.
Various techniques exist—alternate nostril breathing, rapid bellows breath, extended exhalation—each with different effects: She began her morning practice with ten minutes of pranayama.
Draw air in
- exhaleExpel breath outward
- breathAir taken in
- diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
- nostrilNasal breathing aperture
nasal · airflow · respiration · lungs · oxygen · breathwork
Awareness of the present
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- samadhiProfound meditative absorption state
- focusConcentrated attention point
contemplation · vipassana · insight · presence · centering · mental clarity · absorption
Yoga body position
State of being unwound
- stress reliefReduction of mental tension
- calmFree from agitation
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- healingRestoration of health
rejuvenation · detoxification · immunity · vitality · nervous system · parasympathetic · blood pressure · respiratory health
Animating spiritual energy
- kundaliniDormant spinal life force
- chakrasBody's spiritual focal points
- vital energyAnimating force within
- chiGreek letter or energy
Hindu canonical texts
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
- atmanEternal inner self
- BrahmanSupreme cosmic reality
- self-realizationAchieving personal potential
inhale
Draw air in
nostril · nasal · airflow · respiration · lungs · oxygen · breathwork
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- samadhiProfound meditative absorption state
focus · contemplation · vipassana · insight · presence · centering · mental clarity · absorption
asana
Yoga body position
eight limbs · sequence · flow · teacher · yogic · ashram · guru
relaxation
State of being unwound
- stress reliefReduction of mental tension
- calmFree from agitation
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
healing · rejuvenation · detoxification · immunity · vitality · nervous system · parasympathetic · blood pressure · respiratory health · mental health
life-force
Animating spiritual energy
- kundaliniDormant spinal life force
- chakrasBody's spiritual focal points
- vital energyAnimating force within
Vedas
Hindu canonical texts
- UpanishadsVedic philosophical scriptures
- atmanEternal inner self
- BrahmanSupreme cosmic reality
self-realization · liberation · moksha · spiritual discipline · tapas
pranayamashallow breathing
Minimal lung expansion
gasping · panting · hyperventilation · breath-holding · apnea