A: The subject matter of pranayama which focuses on breath and energy exercise is an important part of any yoga student’s journey. Therefore, it is vitally important that you do try and learn and engage in this side of yoga.

A basic definition of pranayama is ‘prana’ meaning life force or energy and yama meaning to regulate, or to control. So, in this context it means regulating breath or breathing. Such practice, if performed regularly will significantly improve your health and wellbeing. Too often we take our breath for granted and hardly realise how important it is in the context of health.

Yoga pranayama exercises are not just meant for physical improvement of health. They also serve to achieve other objectives including purification, cleansing, attaining to higher states of awareness and to regulate, navigate and work with the pranas (vital airs) in the body. Also, they help navigate inner energy. These are just some of the underlying functions of performance of pranayama. There are different types of exercises that can be learnt under this part of yoga, from simple to complex ones.

There are three basic components of pranayama. These are puraka (inhalation), rechaka (exhalation); and kumbhaka (retention of breath).

The ‘Hatha Yoga Pradapika’, an ancient book on yoga aptly states in Chapter 2 that when the breath is unsteady then the mind will become unsteady. When the breath is steady and

calm, so too the mind will reflect that state and the yogi too will become steady and therefore a yogi should restrain the breath.

The connection between the breath and mind is vital and dynamic. A perplexed and disorientated breathing pattern is merely evidence of an unsettled mind. The simplicity of breathing cannot be overemphasised, yet the consequences of breathing incorrectly are immense and can have life-changing consequences.

Breathing correctly is essential for improving the quality of one’s life, but also one of the ‘keys’ to unlocking the mysteries and secrets of the powers of the subconscious mind.