This article explores prāṇāyāma within Ashtanga Yoga's framework, referencing Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the profound role breath plays in spiritual development.
"Prāṇāyāma is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with conscious awareness, after mastering a stable seat."
The Three Components of Prāṇāyāma
The practice involves three essential elements:
- Puraka — inhalation, the drawing in of life force
- Rechaka — exhalation, the releasing and letting go
- Kumbhaka — breath retention, the still point between breaths
According to the texts, prāṇāyāma aims "to remove the veil covering the inner light" and prepares practitioners for deeper meditation stages.
The Bridge Function
Prāṇāyāma serves as a threshold between outer practices (ethics, postures) and inner disciplines (meditation, absorption). As the ancient texts note, breath represents a vital connection—when regulated, it stabilizes the mind.
The Fourth Limb
In Patanjali's eight-limbed path, prāṇāyāma is the fourth limb, following yama (ethical restraints), niyama (observances), and asana (posture). It bridges the external practices with the internal journey toward samadhi.
Prāna vs. Ātman
An important distinction: Prāṇa represents dynamic life energy flowing through energy channels, while Ātman embodies eternal, unchanging consciousness.
The Prashna Upanishad metaphor compares prāṇa to wheel spokes held in a hub, yet emphasizes:
"Even prāṇa is not the ultimate—it is a servant of the Self."
The Path to Stillness
Yoga's philosophy can be synthesized thus: control prāṇa through physical practice, withdraw it from sensory distractions, and in the resulting stillness, inherent consciousness is revealed.