Pranayama according to yogsutra
Pranayama is the fourth limb of the eightfold path of yoga, as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It is the Sanskrit word for breath control, and it is a powerful practice for calming the mind, purifying the body, and expanding the life force (prana). Patanjali defines pranayama in Yoga Sutra 2.49 as "the regulation of the breath." He goes on to describe three types of pranayama: Bahya (external): This type of pranayama involves changing the rhythm of the breath, such as by making the exhale longer than the inhale. Abhyantara (internal): This type of pranayama involves focusing on the flow of breath within the body. Stambhavrttih (restrained): This type of pranayama involves holding the breath for a period of time. Patanjali also describes four characteristics of pranayama: Desa (place): This refers to the location of the breath within the body. For example, some pranayama practices focus on the breath in the abdomen, while others focus on the breath in the heart or th...