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WebMD
webmd.com › health & balance › reference
What Is Pranayama? Benefits, Techniques, and How to Practice
July 2, 2025 - Pranayama is an ancient breath technique that originates from yogic practices in India. It involves controlling your breath in different ways and for varying lengths of time. It has now gained popularity in the U.S.

practice of breath control in Yoga

Pranayama - Wikipedia
Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम, "Prāṇāyāma") is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In classical yoga, the breath is associated with prana, thus, pranayama is a means to elevate the prana-shakti, or life … Wikipedia
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Pranayama
Pranayama - Wikipedia
July 18, 2025 - Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम, "Prāṇāyāma") is the yogic practice of focusing on breath. In classical yoga, the breath is associated with prana, thus, pranayama is a means to elevate the prana-shakti, or life energies. Pranayama is described in Hindu texts such as the ...
Discussions

Is Asana Pranayama okay for a beginner? Yoga to discover your inner light?

🌐 r/yoga
7
August 7, 2021
Welcome to the practice. The book is a good one. r/kriyayoga will be a helpful resource as you progress in your journey. Pranayama is more advanced practice than asana and Kumbhaka (Retention) is the next step. There is a good discussion group at r/pranayama . A few important references: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are the foundation of Yogic philosophy. My Teacher David Garrigues recommends the translation by Barbara Stoler Miller and the translation by Vyaas Houston. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is the practice manual for Hatha Yoga. It explains the purpose of the various asana, mudra and pranayama and their role on the path to Enlightenment. My Teacher recommends the translation by Pancham Singh . More on reddit.com

I’m new to pranayama. Where should I start?

🌐 r/Pranayama
27
October 23, 2022
Lie in savasana and breathe deeply, paying attention to the belly, the throat, the contact of the body against the floor. You can set up bolsters & cushions to make the posture more comfortable, so that you can breathe easily. Set a strong intention to practice well! What matters more than the specific pranayama is the awareness you bring to it! More on reddit.com

How do you do Pranayama meditation?

🌐 r/Meditation
9
February 12, 2024
Search for anulom bilom, nadi shoddan or three step rhythmic breathing. These are good for all levels and everyone with no side effects. More on reddit.com

Pranayam/Breath work warning?

🌐 r/Meditation
10
December 17, 2021
Pranayama is an advanced form of Yoga. Most newcomers simply do not have the level of focus necessary to work with their breath. Working with Asana (Postures) prepares them physically and mentally for the practice. The advanced Pranayama techniques of Kumbhaka and Bhastrika/Kapalbhati induce altered states of awareness and conjure deep seated fears of death/dying. If you would like to continue exploring Yoga Breath Work, stay with basic practices for now; Anulom Vilom (Alternating Nostril without retention), Ajayi (Breathing with Sound), Prana/Apana (Inhalation/Exhalation with no retention) and Bhramari (Bee Breathing). More on reddit.com
Videos
May 26, 2021
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Yoga Journal
yogajournal.com › yoga journal › practice › yoga for beginners › beginner yoga how to › what is pranayama?
What is Pranayama?
July 1, 2025 - The word pranayama is a combination ... “control.” With either translation, you arrive at the same concept: pranayama is a practice that involves the management or control of the breath....
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Healthline
healthline.com › health › pranayama-benefits
Pranayama Benefits for Physical and Emotional Health
September 12, 2024 - Pranayama is the practice of breath regulation. According to research, pranayama may help improve several aspects of physical and mental health.
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The Art of Living
artofliving.org › home › yoga › what is pranayama and its types & techniques
What is pranayama | Types of Pranayama and Breathing - The Art of Living
September 3, 2024 - What is pranayama? Pranayama essentially means working in the dimension of prana. Prana is the vital energy needed by our physical and subconscious layers, without which the body would perish. It is the prana or life force in us that nourishes the mind and keeps the body alive.
Find elsewhere
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Divayoga
divayoga.com › blogs › 14-types-of-pranayamas
14 types of Pranayamas | Diva Yoga
Pranayama means regulation of the prana or life force by regulating the breath. Here are 14 types of pranayamas that you can practise.
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Outdoor Yoga
outdoor-yoga.org › journal-1 › introduction-to-pranayama-understanding-the-basics-of-yoga-breathing-techniques
Introduction to Pranayama: Understanding the Basics of Yoga Breathing Techniques — Outdoor Yoga
June 26, 2023 - Pranayama is a powerful breathing technique that engages deep, conscious breathing. When practiced regularly, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers the body's natural relaxation response. This response leads to a significant decrease in stress hormones, providing a ...
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Samahita Retreat
samahitaretreat.com › pranayama-as-a-specific-yogic-approach-to-breathwork-the-art-of-no-breath
What is Pranayama? Pranayama as a specific yogic approach to breathwork: the art of no breath
Prānāyāma, as part of the mechanism of yoga, is a composite of two Sanskrit words: prāna + ayāma: Prāna as detailed in the yoga sutras is clearly meant as the breath. Many interpreters extrapolate the meaning to include esoteric understandings of bodily and psychic energy, which some ...
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Yoga East
yogaeastyoga.com › blog › 2023 › 12 › 13 › what-is-pranayama-benefits
What is Pranayama & Why Include in Yoga Practice | Yoga East
January 29, 2024 - Prana is the vital life force and energy that runs through our body. ... By practicing pranayama we start to influence the body with our breath. It settles the nervous system and brings a restless mind to stillness. You can practice pranayama as an isolated technique or integrate it into your ...
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PubMed Central
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC7336946
Exploring the Therapeutic Benefits of Pranayama (Yogic Breathing): A Systematic Review - PMC
Pranayama (yogic breathing) has demonstrated numerous beneficial health effects. At present, there are no systematic reviews evaluating the beneficial health effects of pranayama alone as a practice. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic ...
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MasterClass
masterclass.com › articles › pranayama-breathing-explained
Pranayama Breathing Techniques: 4 Benefits of Yogic Breathing - 2025 - MasterClass
June 7, 2021 - "Prana" is a Sanskrit word for “life force” or “vital energy” while “ayama” means “stretching.” Through Pranayama techniques, you focus deeply on breath control, working to extend your life force through inhalation, breath retention, and exhalation patterns.
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Completeunityyoga
completeunityyoga.com › en-us › blogs › yoga › what-is-pranayama
What Is Pranayama? 8 Best Pranayama Techniques To Try – Complete Unity Yoga
March 10, 2023 - Pranayama is an ancient practice of utilizing your breath intentionally as a tool for mindfulness, relaxation and healing. Discover the 8 Best Pranayama Techniques To Get Started!
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Ananda
ananda.org › yogic encyclopedia › pranayama
Pranayama - What Is Pranayama? | Pranayama Definition — Ananda
October 23, 2024 - Pranayama is a technique of controlling the breath to raise one's energy up the deep spine to the spiritual eye or sixth chakra, which brings one to enlightenment.
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Yogaeasy
yogaeasy.com › artikel › what-is-pranayama
What is Pranayama?
YogaEasy (formerly EkhartYoga) – your online yoga studio for classes, live sessions & programs. Practice anytime, anywhere with expert teachers. Start your free trial today!
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The Yoga Institute
theyogainstitute.org › pranayama-benefits-for-physical-and-emotional-health-importance-of-pranayama
What is Pranayama & Its Benefits for Physical and Emotional Health
July 4, 2022 - What are the benefits of pranayama? Here are some physical as well as Emotional benefits of practising pranayama that help to improve your quality of life.
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The Art of Living
artofliving.org › breathwork › pranayama › breathing exercises
The Beginner’s Guide to Pranayama: Yoga Breathing Exercises | The Art of Living
October 23, 2023 - Yogic breathing exercises, also known as pranayama, are easy to practice and offer a host of benefits! Read on to understand this amazing world of pranayama, as well as learn five techniques you can use starting today! ... According to yoga, prana is the life energy that separates the living ...
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Yoga Point
yogapoint.com › info › pranayama.htm
Pranayama|Pranayama Yoga Steps|Yoga Pranayam|Types of Yoga Breathing
Pranayama is control of breath and awakening of Prana(Vital energy)Prana represents the pranic energy responsible for l life force &
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Arhanta Yoga
arhantayoga.org › home › breathwork & pranayama › what is pranayama? meaning & techniques explained
An Essential Guide To Pranayama Techniques & How To Practice
September 10, 2024 - Pranayama is the expansion of life force energy. Learn pranayama techniques, principles, and guidelines for a thriving practice in this guide.