Pranayama

 
A subtle practice of breath awareness and breath regulation within the yogic tradition.
 
As the breath becomes calm and steady, the mind also becomes calm.
 
Traditionally practiced gradually and with guidance, pranayama prepares the body and mind for meditation, inner stillness, and deeper awareness. Pranayama calms the mind and takes you on a beautiful journey inward.
 

Pranayama is traditionally understood as the expansion and refinement of vital energy through the breath.

The breath control, is the 4th limb of the eight-limbed Yoga System, as presented by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The eight steps of Ashtanga Yoga basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life.

The pranayama techniques are very subtle yet very powerful, simple yet so profound. The quality of the mind influences the quality of the practice.

Breathe gentle – soft, smooth, effortless, without sound, without jarring.

The first thing we do when we are born is inhale.

The last thing we will do before dying is exhale.

Patanjali says that once we’ve understood the concept of balancing effort with ease and we have learned how to move the body with the breath, then we are ready to sit in stillness and observe a more subtle part of the practice – breath. Those who begin to observe their own breathing and consciously change their breath patterns, feel instant changes in calmness, peace, and ease.

Kumbhaka

Breath retention is a subtle aspect of pranayama traditionally practiced gradually and under guidance. Through stillness of breath, the mind also becomes still.