Fourth Stage of the Eight Limbs of Yoga – Pranayama
‘Prana’ means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or strength. It also connotes the Soul as opposed to the body. ‘Ayama’ means length, expansion, stretching or restraint. Pranayama therefore means or implies extension and control of breath. Control and extension of breath in Pranayama is exercised throughout inhalation (puraka), retention or holding of breath (kumbhaka) and exhalation (rechaka). Retention of breath (kumbhaka) can be done after a full inhalation (with the lungs filled completely), known as Antara Kumbhaka and/or after complete exhalation (with the lungs emptied completely), known as Bahya Kumbhaka.
Pranayama is therefore the science of breath. Breath is Life. Therefore to gain mastery of breath means to gain mastery of Life. For most living beings, the act of breathing, breath, is an unconscious mental process. Most humans do not have conscious awareness of how and when they are breathing or when they are holding the breath. The way you breathe, whether it is fast and shallow or slow and steady is directly related to your physical state and the state fo your mind. Therefore, mastery of breath and the practice of Pranayama, leads to mastery of the mind and emotions. Learning to control state of mind and the senses allow the yogi to reach the next stage, Pratyahara. And after Pratyahara, only then will the mind be ready for concentration (Dhyana).
The rhythmic breathing patterns of Pranayama strengthen the respiratory system, soothe the nervous system and reduce craving. As cravings and desires diminish, the mind is set free and becomes a fit vehicle for concentration. By improper practice of Pranayama though, the student may introduce disorders like cough, wind, asthma, pains in the head, eyes and ears and irritation of the nervous system. Therefore do not seek to master Pranayama in a hurry, as you are playing with the essence of Life itself. Instead find a good teacher and learn under supervision.
Symbolically in Pranayama, true exhalation (true rechaka) represents emptying the mind of the whole of its illusion, true inhalation (true puraka) is the realization that “I am Atma (Spirit)” itself and true retention (true kumbhaka) represents the steady sustenance of the mind on the conviction that “I am Atma”.
Prana in the boby of the individual (jivatma) is part of the cosmic breath of the Universal Spirit (Paramatma). Therefore in Pranayama, attempt is made to harmonize the individual breath (pinda-prana) with the cosmic breath (Brahmanda-prana).