Prana – life force
Yama – control
Pranayama = breath control, conscious breath awareness
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.
Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Pranayama is the conscious awareness of our breath. It is the life force that can relax or energize our body.
Although pranayama is an integral part of the physical (asana) practice of yoga, it is equally important as we go about our daily lives. Pranayama teaches us breath control. Learning to calm our breath helps to relax and clarify our mind, allowing us to slow down and pause before making an important decision or embarking on a new adventure.
When we are calm and relaxed, our breath may be soft and undisturbed. When we are angry, nervous or excited, our breath may be shallow or quick. During those times of stress or anxiety, if we can bring awareness to what our breath is doing, our breath will regulate itself naturally and we will breathe more deeply, thereby feeling much calmer and more grounded. This in turn allows us to respond to the situation, rather than react. Pranayama can help us find quiet and calm, during otherwise challenging situations.
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