Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga and refers to techniques for controlling the life force energy (prana) through breath control. There are various types of pranayama that have benefits like improving lung capacity, balancing the nervous system, and regulating energy flow through the body. Regular practice of pranayama can improve overall health and well-being while also preparing one for deeper states of meditation and concentration. Pranayama should be practiced with discipline and under the guidance of a qualified teacher to avoid potential complications.

1. PRANAYAMA
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Presented By
Dr. Mukesh Kumar
M.D. Scholar

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 Fourth step of Ashtanga Yoga
 Compound word – “prana” + “ayama”
 Prana = pra (prefix) + an (to breathe, to live)
 “prana” is life‐force, the cosmic vital energy
 “ayama” means to stretch, expand, control
 Pranayama is to expand and control prana
 Breath is a gross manifestation of prana, usually
equated with prana
 In ancient time, to increase longevity, our sages formulate
some technique to achieve highest goal of life i.e.
renunciation
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4.  Breathing techniques help control prana in different ways.
 This strengthens the lungs and balances the nervous
system, preparing the body to hold the breath [retention].
 Practicing pranayama on a regular basis regulates energy
flow to the 72 thousand nadis [channels through which
consciousness flows] in our body, helping us improve our
wellbeing.
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5.  Diaphragm separates the thoracic area from the
abdominal area
 When diaphragm moves down, chest and ribcage expand,
bringing in air into the lungs
 When diaphragm returns to the resting position, air
expelled from lungs
 Three phases of breathing: diaphragmatic, thoracic,
clavicular
 Diaphragmatic breathing most efficient ‐ infants use it
naturally
 Yogic, complete breath exercises all three areas of lungs
 Compression of abdominal muscles can empty the lungs
further
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6.  Pooraka: Breathe in - Inhalation
 Rechaka: Breathe out – Exhalation
 Kumbhaka: Hold the air inside the body
 Bahya Kumbhaka(Shunyaka): This is opposite Kumbhaka. Air
is exhaled and held at that condition.
 Prana: Oxygen in general is called Prana. However based on
purpose and area in the body, they are called by 5 different
names (Maha Prana)
Prana: From throat to heart
Apana: Umblical (Naabhi) to toes
Vyana: Energy in entire body and its cells.
Udana: Throat upwards
Samana: In between heart and Umblical (Naabhi)
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Inhalation
Held in
Exhalation
Held out

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||घे.स.५/४६||
1. Sahita
2. Suryabhedana
3. Ujjayi
4. Sheetli
5. Bhastrika
6. Bhramari
7. Murcha
8. Kevali
हठ प्रदीपिका के प्राणायाम
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||ह.प्र.२/४४||
1. Suryabhedana
2. Ujjayi
3. Sheetkari
4. Sheetli
5. Bhastrika
6. Bhramari
7. Murcha
8. Plavini
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9. Type of Pranayama:- (Mattra & Kala)
STAGES POORAKA KUMBHAKA RECHAKA
Uttama 20 80 40
Madhyama 16 64 32
Adhama 12 48 24
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||घे.स.5/54||

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||ह.प्र. 2/2||
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||ह.प्र. 2/16||
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11.  Method
 BENEFITS : This is also seasonal pranayama
by doing this body temperature rises during the winter
season this is to be done and,
whenever we are suffering from cold it is to be practiced.
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12.  Method
 Benefit
Cures thyroid related problem like snoring.
Improves sound quality. Hence very useful for singers and
stage performers.
Cures sinus related diseases.
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13.  Method:-
 Benefits:
It cools the body.
Good for teeth and gums.
and It cures pyorrhea.
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14.  Method
 Benefits
Cools the body
Cures acidity and hypertension
Relieves indigestion and disorders of the bile
Improves health of eyes and skin
Cures tonsillitis.
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15.  Method
 Benefit
Cures sinus related diseases like cold, cough, asthma etc.
Cures throat related diseases like Thyroid and Tonsils
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16.  Method
 Benefit
With the practice of this Pranayama the mind becomes
steady.
It is beneficial in conditions like mental tension, agitation,
high blood pressure, heart disease etc. It is also useful for
meditation. 16

17. Murcha Pranayama
 Method
 Benefit
It make the mind inactive or senseless, so it cut off the
mind from outer world and helps the practitioner to perform
meditation.
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18.  Method
 Benefit
Practitioners of Plavini Pranayama can pass several days
without food or water.
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19.  Doesn’t require any special equipment
 Can be integrated into daily life
 Can be done by most patients
 Can be done in healthy person
 Can be teach in shorter time
 Can be used with other practices
 Cost effective
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20.  Needs :
Regularity
Discipline
Dedication
Determination
Comprehension
 Lack of qualified teachers ( in absence
complication can arise like Vatik disorders
described in classics.)
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21.  Pranayama practice increases life.
Ex.
Breathing system/min life span
Dog 30-34 times 12-15 yrs
Horse 24-26 times 20-30 yrs
Human 12-18 time 80-100 yrs
Snake 8-10 time 120-150 yrs
Tortoise 4–6 times 300 -500 yrs
 Provide relaxation to body and mind
 Improves:-
Blood Circulation, Concentration, Digestion, Lungs capacity and
Energy levels
 Beneficial in prevention and management of :-
Blood pressure, Stress, Anxiety, Stomach disorders, Hyperacidity
Depression, Heart problems, Cancer and so many health issues.
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22.  Art of living – Sudarshan kriya
 Vipasana – awareness to breathing
 Patanjali ( Baba Ramdev ) – different technique of kapal
bhati and Anulom Vilom, Udgeeth pranayama
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23.  Method
 Benefit
With the practice of this Pranayama the mind becomes
steady, relieves tension and improves concentration power.
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24.  Method
 Benefit
Obesity, diabetes, constipation, acidity etc.
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25.  Pranayama is a technique or process for stilling of
mind.
 By performing pranayama, one can achieve healthy
body and mind.
 By increases Prana ( Vital force ) one can enjoy a
healthy life ( if seen in present context) and can lead a
path for higher level of renunciation.
 Some rules are there, for performing which should be
followed like observance of Yama and Niyama etc.
 It can be followed as therapeutic procedures in some
conditions. 25

26.  Hath yogpardipika, Tripathi Harihar Prasad, Chaukhamba
Parkashan,Varanasi
 Gherand Samhita, Sharma Raghwa Raghuvendra, Chaukhamba
Sanskrit Partisthan, Delhi
 Light on the yoga sutras of patanjali, B.K.S.Iyengar, Harper
Collins Publishers limited, London
 Light on Pranayama, B.K.S. Iyengar, Harper Collins Publishers
limited, London
 Paranayama, Vivekananda kendra prakashan trust, Chennai 26

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