What is Pranayama?

This is the definition of Pranayama in the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali.
‘Svasa’ means inspiratory breath. ‘Prasvasa’ means expiratory breath. You can take up the practice of Pranayama after you have gained steadiness in your Asana (seat). If you can sit for 3 hour in one Asana, continuously at one stretch, you have gained mastery over the Asana. If you are able to sit from half to one hour even, you can take up the practice of Pranayama. You can hardly make any spiritual progress without the practice of Pranayama.
Prana is Vyashti, when the individual is concerned. The sum total of the cosmic energy or cosmic Prana is Hiranyagarbha who is known as the floating ‘Golden-Egg’. Hiranyagarbha is Samashti Prana. One match stick is Vyashti (single). The whole match box is Samashti. A single mango-tree is Vyashti. The whole mango grove is Samashti. The energy in the body is Prana. By controlling the motion of the lungs or respiratory organs, we can control the Prana that is vibrating inside. By control of Prana, the mind can be easily controlled, because the mind is fastened to the Prana, like the bird to the string. Just as the bird that is tied to a post by a string, after flying here and there, finds its resting place in the post, so also this mind-bird after running hither and thither, in various sensual objects, finds its resting place during deep sleep in the Prana.

Complete Guide to Yoga Exercises.

Yoga is well known for its calming effects. The practice of Yoga offers a way to link the multiple aspects - mind, body and spirit - of the whole person through postures and breathing.

Asanas or yoga poses cleanse, strengthen and purify the physical body, improve the flow of energy and can lead to improved focus, concentration and analytical powers in the mind.

Pranayama or breathing influences the flow of prana in our body. Proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy.

Pranayama goes hand in hand with the Asanas. Together asana and pranayama help us to sense the bliss sheath and so connect with the universal consciousness throughout our daily lives.

Mudra, the science of hand and finger postures, can help you to cure bodily ailments in a wonderful manner. Mudras simply means hand and finger postures. Like yoga asanas, it is also a discipline, to rejuvenate the body. It actually helps in balancing the five elements ( panch-tattvas ) in the human system to their optimal levels.

Explore the different Yoga Asanas, Pranayamas and Mudras in the following sections:

Asanas
Pranayamas
Mudras

Check out these useful tips for Yoga to be kept in mind while practicing.