Maharshi Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga

Pre-requisite : YOGA, definition and a brief introduction to origin, history and development of YOGA <Do read this blog 1st for better understanding.>

Maharshi Patanjali in his Patanjali Yoga Sutras (PYS) gives Ashtanga Yoga i.e. 8 limbs of Yoga in 2nd & 3rd chapters called Sādhana Pāda & Vibhūti Pāda. The following sutra gives the 8 steps of yoga.

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Pranayama – The Yogic Science of expansion of Prana

Pranayama is thought as breath control technique but actually it’s much broader than just that. The word “Pranayama” is comprised of two root words –

Pranayama is Prana + yama; where Prana is the vital energy and yama means to control.

or

Pranamaya is Prana + ayama; where Prana is the vital energy and ayama means expansion.

In a way both of them are right. Pranayama is the science of understanding, controlling and there by expanding the dimension of prana.

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