What is Pranayama?

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Pranayama is generally defined as breath control. Although this interpretation may seem correct in view of the physical practice involved, it does not convey the full meaning of the term. Pranayama is comprised of two roots: 'prana' means vital energy or life force and 'ayama' means expansion or extension. So despite the fact that pranayama is closely related to breathing, it is more subtle. Pranayama is the expansion of energetic force, which exist in all things. In pranayama we utilizes the breath to influence the flow of prana in the nadis or energy channels of the pranayama kosha, or energetic body. The breath being one of the most vital process of the body, it influences the activity of each and every cell in the body and is intimately linked with the performance of the brain. Therefore, pranayama has an overall positive effect over the body and mind. However, breathing for most people is typically shallow, depriving the body of oxygen and prana which is essential to good health. The many techniques of pranayama provides the methods whereby the life force can be activated and regulated in order to go beyond one's current conditions or limitations to attain higher states of energy and awareness. Although breathing is mainly an unconscious process, conscious control of it may be taken at any time, which makes it one of our most powerful tools for healing and transformation. Breath awareness and expansion forms a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious areas of the mind, creating meditative states and opening the gateways to deeper spiritual experiences and awakening.