Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga.
Pranayama is the measuring, control, and directing of the breath.
Pranayama controls the energy within the organism, in order to restore
and maintain health and to promote evolution. Pranayama gives control of
breathing processes and control of vital force. When the inflowing
breath is neutralized or joined with the out flowing breath, then
perfect relaxation and balance of body activities are realized. In yoga,
we are concerned with balancing the flows of vital forces, then
directing them inward to the chakra system and upward to the crown
chakra or thousand petaled lotuses.
Pranayama or breathing technique is very important in yoga. It goes
hand in hand with the asana or pose. In the Yoga Sutras, the practices
of pranayama and asana are considered to be the highest form of
purification and self discipline for the mind and the body,
respectively. The practices produce the actual physical sensation of
heat, called tapas, or the inner fire of purification. It is taught that
this heat is part of the process of purifying the nadis, or subtle nerve
channels of the body. This allows a more healthful state to be
experienced and allows the mind to remain calmer.
