Prāṇāyāma {pra-na-ya-ma} is the 4th limb of the 8 limbs of yoga as presented by Patañjali in the Yoga Sutras.
It can be translated as breath control or life force expansion. It consists of techniques designed to gain mastery over the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind, and the emotions.
Like any form of conditioning and training, Prāṇāyāma practices have beginning, intermediate, and advanced stages. What’s most important about the practice is to attend to them with patience, gentleness, and compassion.
Any level of practitioner can benefit from Prāṇāyāma and ike all yoga practices, it’s designed to meet us where we are.

How often do you stop and pay attention to your breath?
Do you notice even now that you’re only breathing into your chest?
Did you just take a big deep breath?!
Most of us have an incomplete breath pattern due to modern day life (stress, sitting, slouching, and habitual breathing patterns) but yoga can help!
Yoga is more than a physical practice of poses. Part of the practice of yoga includes pranayama which means breath control, or breath expansion. It is the process of noticing our habitual breath patterns and learning to control and/or expand the breath and consequently, your energy.
Through different pranayama techniques, you can learn to use the breath to calm yourself in stressful or fearful situations. You can use the breath to clear your mind and help you focus. On days where you’re feeling tired and sluggish, you can energize the body with the breath, whereas when you’re feeling the heat of the Texas summer, you can practice a technique to cool and calm the physical body and mind.
There are many different pranayama techniques, some are simple and some are very complex. Exploring pranayama can be a fantastic addition to a yogi’s practice. It can empower you to change your mood, enhance your asana practice, and bring focus to your meditation. It’s something you can practice anywhere, anytime!