Pranayama

Original Editor - Ashmita Patrao

Top Contributors - Ruchi Desai, Ashmita Patrao, Kim Jackson and Zsofia Laszlo  

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The air that we breathe is a passport for life. Through exercise we take in huge amount of oxygen for existence. Pranayama is the science of breath control first practised in India. It is a concious control of breathing in the life giving oxygen into our body.

  • Prana means 'life force' and ayama is 'the extension of life force'. When breathing the inhalation and exhalation of breath cleanses and purifies an individual, energize an overexcited body and yet calm the agitated mind.

Types of Pranayama[edit | edit source]


Observation of normal breathing process which involves observation of the normal inhalation process ie inhalation through the nose or mouth. Awareness of chest and stomach movement in breathing, feeling the oxygen entering.

Energy enhancing breaths:

Kapalabhati (Skull shining)

Bastrika (Bellous breathing)

Murcha (the retraining breath)

Kumbhaka (the pure breath)

Ujjayi (the hissing breath)

The calming breaths:

Sukka Purvaka (easy breath)

Sithali (cooling breath)

Sitkari (Sipping breath)

Brahmari (Humming breath)

Nadi sudi (Nerve purifying breath)


Pranayama in Motion[edit | edit source]

Traditional pranayama was

Resources[edit | edit source]

add appropriate resources here, including text links or content demonstrating the intervention or technique

References[edit | edit source]