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Pranayama
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Pranayama (Sanskrit: pryma) is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of the prana or breath" or more accurately, "extension of the life force". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "ayma", to extend or draw out. (Not 'restrain, or control' as is often incorrectly translated from 'yama' instead of 'ayama').
Contents [hide] 1 Etymology 1.1 Hatha and Raja Yoga Varieties 1.2 Bhagavad Gt 1.3 Quotes 2 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 3 Medical 4 Cautions 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References

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A man practicing Pranayama

Etymology
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Etymology
Pranayama (Devanagari: , pryma) is a Sanskrit compound. V. S. Apte provides fourteen different meanings for the word prana (Devanagari: , pra) including these: [1] Breath, respiration The breath of life, vital air, principle of life (usually plural in this sense, there being five such vital airs generally assumed, but three, six, seven, nine, and even ten are also spoken of)[2] Energy, vigor The spirit or soul Of these meanings, the concept of "vital air" is used by Bhattacharyya to describe the concept as used in Sanskrit texts dealing with pranayama. [3] Thomas McEvilley translates "prana" as "spirit-energy". [4] Its most subtle material form is the breath, but is also to be found in blood, and its most concentrated form is semen in men and vaginal fluid in women. [5] Monier-Williams defines the compound pryma as (m., also pl.) "N. of the three 'breath-exercises' performed during Sadhy (See praka, recaka, kumbhaka"[6] This technical definition refers to a particular system of breath control with three processes as explained by Bhattacharyya: praka (to take the breath inside), kumbhaka (to retain it), and recaka (to discharge it). [7] There are also other processes of pranayama in addition to this three-step model. [7] Macdonell gives the etymology as pra + yma and defines it as "m. suspension of breath (sts. pl.)".[8] Apte's definition of yma derives it from + ym and provides several variant meanings for it when used in compounds. The first three meanings have to do with "length", "expansion, extension", and "stretching, extending", but in the specific case of use in the compound pryma he defines yma as meaning "restrain, control, stopping". [9] An alternative etymology for the compound is cited by Ramamurti Mishra, who says that: Expansion of individual energy into cosmic energy is called pryma (pra, energy + aym, expansion). [10] Alternate nostril breathing (ANB) Pranyama also called Nadisuddhi pranyama is one of the beneficial

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Pranayama for cardiopulmonary functions. Regular practice of ANB (Nadisudhi) increases parasympathetic activity and lowers systolic blood pressure and Respiratory rate too. [11]

Hatha and Raja Yoga Varieties

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Some scholars distinguish between hatha and raja yoga varieties of pranayama, with the former variety usually prescribed for the beginner. According to Taimni, hatha yogic pranayama involves manipulation of pranic currents through breath regulation for bringing about the control of chitta-vrittis and changes in consciousness, whereas raja yogic pranayama involves the control of chitta-vrittis by consciousness directly through the will of the mind. [12] Students qualified to practice pranayama are therefore always initiated first in the techniques of hatha pranayama. [13]

Bhagavad Gt
Pranayama is mentioned in verse 4.29 of the Bhagavad Gt.[14] According to Bhagavad-Gt As It Is, "pryma" is translated to "trance induced by stopping all breathing", also being made from the two separate Sanskrit words, "pra" and "yma". [15] Also

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Quotes
This article contains too many or too-lengthy quotations for an encyclopedic entry. Please help improve the article by editing it to take facts from excessively quoted material and rewrite them as sourced original prose. Consider transferring direct quotations to Wikiquote. (May 2011)

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Prana is a subtle invisible force. It is the life-force that pervades the body. It is the factor that connects the body and the mind, because it is connected on one side with the body and on the other side with the mind. It is the connecting link between the body and the mind. The body and the mind have no direct connection. They are connected through Prana only. Swami Chidananda Saraswati [16]

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Yoga primarily works with the energy in the body through the science of pranayama or energycontrol. Prana also means breath. Yoga teaches how to still the mind through breath-control and attain higher states of awareness. The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques and show the yogi or yoga practitioner how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite. Paramahansa Yogananda[17]

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

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Pranayama is the fourth 'limb' of the eight limbs of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali[18] Ashtanga Yoga mentioned in verse 2.29 in the Yoga Pada (Chapter) English meaning Sutras Sutras of Patanjali.[19][20] Patanjali discusses his Samadhi Pada On being absorbed in spirit 51 specific approach to pranayama in verses 2.49 through Sadhana Pada On being immersed in spirit 55 2.51, and devotes verses 2.52 and 2.53 to explaining the Vibhuti Pada On supernatural abilities and gifts 56 benefits of the practice. [21] Patanjali does not fully Kaivalya Pada On absolute freedom 34 elucidate the nature of prana, and the theory and practice of pranayama seem to have undergone significant development after him. [22] He presents pranayama as essentially an exercise that is preliminary to concentration, as do the earlier Buddhist texts. [22] Many yoga teachers advise that pranayama should be part of an overall practice that includes the other limbs of Patanjali's Raja Yoga teachings, especially Yama, Niyama, and Asana.[23]

Medical

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Several researchers have reported that pranayama techniques are beneficial in treating a range of stressrelated disorders,[24] improving autonomic functions, [25] relieving symptoms of asthma[26] (though a different
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study did not find any improvement [27]) and reducing signs of oxidative stress.[28][29] Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, [23] and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life and enhances perception. [30]

Cautions

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Many yoga teachers recommend that pranayama techniques be practiced with care, and that advanced pranayama techniques should be practiced under the guidance of a teacher. For example, people with high blood pressure must perform it cautiously or may even have to avoid it. These cautions are also made in traditional Hindu literature. Pregnant women may have to forgo pranayama. [31][32][33]

See also
Anuloma pranayama Bhastrika Hatha yoga Kapalabhati Raja yoga Swami Ramdev Ujjayi breath

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Notes
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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^ Apte, p. 679. ^ For the vital airs as generally assumed to be five, with other numbers given, see: Macdonell, p. 185. ^ Bhattacharyya, p. 311. ^ McEvilley, Thomas. "The Spinal Serpent", in: Harper and Brown, p. 94. ^ Richard King, Indian philosophy: an introduction to Hindu and Buddhist thought. Edinburgh University Press, 1999, p. 70. 6. ^ Monier-Williams, p. 706, left column. 7. ^ a b Bhattacharyya, p. 429.

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8. ^ Macdonell, p.185, main entry prghta 9. ^ See main article (yma) in: Apte, p. 224. Passages cited by Apte for this usage are Bhagavatgita 4.29 and Manusmriti 2.83. 10. ^ Mishra, p. 216. 11. ^ Upadhyay Dhungel K, Malhotra V, Sarkar D, Prajapati R (March 2008). "Effect of alternate nostril breathing exercise on cardiorespiratory functions". Nepal Med Coll J 10 (1): 257. PMID 18700626 . 12. ^ Taimni, p. 258. 13. ^ Iyengar, p. 244 Iyengar, B. K. Sundara Raja (1995). Light on Yoga. ISBN 0-8052-1031-8 14. ^ Gambhirananda, pp. 217218. 15. ^ Bhagavad-gita As It Is Chapter 4 Verse 29 . Vedabase.net. Retrieved on 2011-02-25. 16. ^ Chidananda, Sri Swami, The Philosophy, Psychology, and Practice of Yoga, Divine Life Society, 1984 17. ^ Yogananda, Paramhansa, The Essence of Self-Realization, ISBN 0-916124-29-0 18. ^ Stiles 2001, p. x. 19. ^ Taimni, p. 205. 20. ^ Flood (1996), p. 97. 21. ^ Taimni, pp. 258268. 22. ^ a b G. C. Pande, Foundations of Indian Culture: Spiritual Vision and Symbolic Forms in Ancient India. Second edition published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1990, p. 97. 23. ^ a b Light on Pranayama, Sixth Edition, Crossroad Publishing Co. 24. ^ Brown RP, Gerbarg PL (2005). "Sudarshan Kriya Yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. Part IIclinical applications and guidelines". J Altern Complement Med 11 (4): 7117. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.711 . PMID 16131297 . 25. ^ Pal GK, Velkumary S, Madanmohan (2004). "Effect of short-term practice of breathing exercises on autonomic functions in normal human volunteers" . Indian J. Med. Res. 120 (2): 11521. PMID 15347862 . 26. ^ Vedanthan PK, Kesavalu LN, Murthy KC, et al. (1998). "Clinical study of yoga techniques in university students with asthma: a controlled study". Allergy Asthma Proc 19 (1): 39. doi:10.2500/108854198778557971 . PMID 9532318 . 27. ^ Cooper S, Oborne J, Newton S, et al. (2003). "Effect of two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) in asthma: a randomised controlled trial" . Thorax 58 (8): 6749. doi:10.1136/thorax.58.8.674 . PMC 1746772 . PMID 12885982 . 28. ^ Bhattacharya S, Pandey US, Verma NS (2002). "Improvement in oxidative status with yogic breathing in

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29.

30. 31. 32. 33.

young healthy males". Indian J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 46 (3): 34954. PMID 12613400 . ^ Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes VA, Jerath V (2006). "Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system". Med. Hypotheses 67 (3): 56671. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.042 . PMID 16624497 . ^ Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, 2002. ^ Visakhapatanam, Bharat, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Master E.K, Kulapathi Book Trust, ISBN 81-85943-05-2 ^ Prescriptions for pranayama, Claudia Cummins ^ Breathing Lessons, Tony Briggs

References
Crowley, Aleister. 'Eight Lectures on Yoga'. Ordo Templi Orientis, 1939. Bhattacharyya, N. N. History of the Tantric Religion. Second Revised Edition. (Manohar: New Delhi, 1999) p. 174. ISBN 81-7304-025-7

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Wikiversity has learning materials about Yoga oracle#85. Yoga and Breathing

Chidananda, Sri Swami (1991). Path to Blessedness , 2nd Ed. The Divine Life Society. World Wide Web (WWW) Edition ISBN 978-81-7052-086-3. Feuerstein, Georg (1998). Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy . Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 157062-304-X. Flood, Gavin (1996). An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-52143878-0. Gambhirananda, Swami (1997). Bhagavatgt: With the commentary of akarcrya (4 ed.). Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama Publication Department. ISBN 81-7505-041-1. Harper, Katherine Anne; Brown, Robert L. (2002). The Roots of Tantra. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-5306-5. Iyengar, B. K. Sundara Raja (1985). The Light On Pranayama: The Yogic Art of Breathing. ISBN 0-82450686-3 Iyengar, B. K. Sundara Raja (1995). Light on Yoga. ISBN 0-8052-1031-8
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Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (1996). A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary . New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.. ISBN 81-215-0715-4. Reprint edition. Mishra, Ramamurti S. (1963). The Textbook of Yoga Psychology . Monroe, New York: Baba Bhagavandas Publication Trust. ISBN 1-890964-27-1. Reprint edition, 1997. Saraswati, Swami Niranjanananda (1994). Prana Pranayama Prana Vidya. ISBN 81-85787-84-0 Shaw, Scott. The Little Book of Yoga Breathing: Pranayama Made Easy . ISBN 1-57863-301-X Taimni, I. K. (1996). The Science of Yoga. Adyar, Madras: The Theosophical Publishing House. ISBN 81-7059-212-7. Eight reprint edition.
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