Pranayama

PRANAYAMA = Prana (breath/life force) + Ayama (extention).

Pranayama is the fourth of Ashtanga Yoga, also known as The Eight Limbs of Yoga. Pranayama is an ancient breath technique that originates from yogic practices in India. It involves controlling your breath in different styles and lengths. Pranayama is regarded as a science. It’s believed that you can control the power of your mind by regulating your breath.

Three phases. A pranayama cycle has three phases: Puraka, or inhalation, Kumbhaka, or retention, Rechaka, or exhalation

When we are able to extend our Prana/life force, we will be able to extend our life span. How do we control our Prana? Through our breaths.

Normal respiration rates for an adult person at rest range from 12 to 16 breaths per minute. But when we are being mindful with our breaths, we only need to breathe 4 to 10 breaths per min, which is defined as slow breathing.