Pranayama: Breathing Techniques

It refers to all Yoga breathing techniques that consciously control and regulate breath to extend and manage the flow of Prana (life force energy).

It is the fundamental, vital energy that animates all living things and pervades the entire universe.

Pūraka means "to fill, to complete" in Sanskrit, and in breathing techniques, it refers to "inhalation." It is considered the act of drawing Prana (life force energy) into the body.

Recaka means "to empty, to expel" in Sanskrit, and in breathing techniques, it refers to "exhalation." It is considered the act of expelling impurities and stagnant energy from the body.

Kumbhaka means "pot, pitcher" in Sanskrit, and in breathing techniques, it refers to "breath retention." This includes holding the breath after inhalation (Antara Kumbhaka) and after exhalation (Bahya Kumbhaka).

It refers to a vigorous breathing technique in which both inhalation and exhalation are forceful and equal in strength, driven from the belly like a blacksmith's bellows fanning a fire — rapidly energizing the whole system.

Bhrāmarī takes its name from "Bhramara" (the black bee).

Complete Breath refers to a fundamental Yoga breathing technique that combines abdominal, thoracic, and clavicular breathing to breathe deeply and fully, using the entire lung capacity.

It is a breathing technique performed by slightly constricting the back of the throat, creating a frictional sound, also known as the "Victorious Breath."

It is a pump-like breathing technique characterized by forceful, short exhalations, with inhalations occurring naturally.

It is a Pranayama (breathing technique) practiced by alternating breathing through the left and right nostrils, meaning "purification of energy channels."

It is a breathing technique where air is inhaled through a curled tongue (like a straw) and exhaled through the nose, also known as the "Cooling Breath."