Prāṇa in the body of the individual (jīvātmā) is part of the cosmic breath of the Universal Spirit (Paramātmā). An attempt is made to harmonise the individual breath (piṇḍa-prāṇa) with the cosmic breath (Brahmāṇḍa-prāṇa) through the practice of prāṇāyāma.

‘So’ham’ (Saḥ = He: Aham = I – He, the Immortal Spirit, am I) with each inward breath. So also with each outgoing breath each creature prays ‘Hamsaḥ’ (I am He).

‘The emptying the mind of the whole of its illusion is the true rechaka (exhalation). The realisation that “I am Ātmā (spirit)” is the true pūraka (inhalation). And the steady sustenance of the mind on this conviction is the true kumbhaka (retention). This is true prāṇāyāma,’ says Śankarāchārya.

The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths.

Āyāma means length, expansion, stretching or restraint. Prāṇāyāma thus connotes extension of breath and its control.

Prāṇa means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or strength.

to mind (mānasika).

to speech (vāchika)

Tapas is of three types. It may relate to the body (kāyika),