Significance of Pranayama
Pranayama, meaning "control of breath," is a key yogic practice across various spiritual traditions including Jainism, Tibetan Buddhism, Vaishnavism, and more. It encompasses techniques for inhalation, exhalation, and breath retention aimed at enhancing physical and mental well-being. In these traditions, Pranayama serves as a method to regulate life force (Prana), purify the mind, attain concentration, and facilitate deeper meditation. Overall, it is recognized for its vital role in spiritual discipline and improving health.
Synonyms: Breath control, Yogic breathing, Breath regulation
In Dutch: Pranayama; In German: Pranayama; In Finnish: Pranayama; In Spanish: Pranayama; In Swedish: Pranayama; In Malay: Pranayama; In French: Pranayama
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Pranayama'
Pranayama in Buddhism is viewed as a yoga practice focused on breath control, aimed at improving both physical health and mental clarity, thereby supporting spiritual development and mindfulness in one's practice.
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) A practice in yoga that involves breath control to enhance physical and mental well-being.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Pranayama'
Pranayama in Hinduism encompasses various regulated breathing practices aimed at spiritual development, focus, and purification of mind and body. It serves as a fundamental technique in yoga, enhancing meditation and connecting practitioners with the divine.
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) An ancient practice of breath control in yoga that Vyasa performed before meditating.[2] (2) The practice of breath control in Yoga involving inhalation (Puraka), retention (Kumbhaka), and exhalation (Rechaka).[3] (3) A practice of breath control, performed by the Manus as a form of worship and spiritual discipline, without taking food.[4] (4) The yogic practice of breath control that is vital for spiritual development.[5] (5) Breathing techniques integrated within the Sandhya ritual, involving Puraka (inhaling), Kumbhaka (holding), and Rechaka (exhaling) while meditating on a deity.[6]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The practice of breath control that involves inhalation, retention, and exhalation.[7] (2) A peculiar mode of controlling the process of respiration, practiced by the twice-born during rituals.[8] (3) The practice of breath control, essential for harnessing life force (Prana) within the body.[9] (4) A yogic practice focused on controlling the breath.[10]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) A practice in yoga involving breath control, aimed at regulating the flow of pranic energy and enhancing life.[11] (2) The fourth stage of external practices in Yoga related to the control of breath.[12]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) A set of breathing exercises aimed at controlling Prana and thereby the mind.[13] (2) The practice of breath control that is used as a means to regulate the mind and achieve spiritual focus.[14]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The practice of breath control, considered to be the union of the inhalation (Prana) and exhalation (Apana).[15] (2) The practice of breath control within yogic traditions, involving various stages of inhalation, retention, and exhalation.[16] (3) The regulation of breath or life force, a key practice in yoga to control prana and apana.[17] (4) The restraint of breath, a yogic practice involving specific inhalations and exhalations.[18] (5) Practice of breath control in yoga that contributes to various states of practice.[19]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Practices involved in the control of vital energy that are not inherently sufficient for achieving conviction or understanding.[20]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A practice of controlling the breath that facilitates the merging of the different Pranas into the chief Prana, essential for maintaining life.[21]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The practice of breath regulation, incorporating external, internal, and total restraint.[22] (2) a yogic practice focused on breath control, involving techniques of expiring and inspiring air to stabilize the mind.[23] (3) A practice which involves various states of breath control, with distinct methods and descriptions leading to mastery over the breath.[24] (4) The yoga practice of breath regulation, which serves to control the body's energy and cultivate mental focus.[25]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The practice of controlling breath, viewed as a physical means towards achieving a spiritual goal.[26] (2) A practice that involves the control of breath, specifically inhalation and exhalation.[27]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)
(1) A practice within Yoga involving the regulation of breath, which aids in directing the mind to sensory experiences.[28]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A form of breathing practice that may be associated with spiritual activities carried out in the temple context.[29] (2) A breathing exercise that is recommended to be practiced before engaging in sandhya meditation, emphasizing the importance of control over the mind.[30] (3) The practice of breath control, significant in spiritual discipline, involving techniques such as puraka (inhalation), kumbhaka (sustaining breath), and recaka (exhalation).[31]
From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya
(1) Breath control exercises used in yoga for calming the mind and enhancing spiritual practices.[32]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The practice of breath control in yoga which helps to regulate the mind and energy.[33]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A yogic practice involving breath control that is employed to calm the restless mind.[34]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Breath control in Yoga meant to enhance vitality and control the life force within the body.[35]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The control of breath in Yoga practices that help regulate the flow of energy in the body.[36]
From: Sushruta Samhita, Volume 6: Uttara-tantra
(1) A breathing exercise aimed at controlling breath and alleviating simple hiccough.[37]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The control of breath which is fundamental in practice for achieving concentration and regulating the mind.[38]
The concept of Pranayama in local and regional sources
Pranayama is a yogic practice of breath control aimed at regulating life force (prana) to enhance physical and mental health, facilitate spiritual liberation, and prepare practitioners for deeper meditation techniques like Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The knowledge and control of the infinite, omnipresent manifesting power of the universe, which is the sum total of all forces, mental or physical, when resolved back to their original state, and is really what is meant by this.[39] (2) Pranayama is a practice that is to be slightly altered by students by using the name of their Chosen Ideal instead of 'Om' during inhalation and exhalation, and using the word 'Hum' during Kumbhaka.[40] (3) This is a practice which involves visualizing the triangle, closing your eyes and picturing it vividly in your imagination, and is a step toward awakening the Kundalini.[41] (4) This is the fourth aspect of the eightfold Yoga, focused on controlling the breath, allowing individuals to gain mastery over the vital life force and bring about profound changes.[42] (5) Pranayama is the practice of controlling the Pranas through breathing, utilizing breath as fuel and the body as the engine for spiritual growth.[43]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Pranayama is the yogic practice of controlled breathing aimed at regulating the prana, or life energy, within the body.[44] (2) A Yoga breathing technique aimed at controlling life force and enhancing physical and mental health.[45]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) Pranayama is the practice of holding the breath, and it is taught as a preliminary practice to holding the breath, which raises kundalini and takes the yogin to the goal of liberation, as well as used for treating disorders.[46]