Pranayama
Pranayama is the formal practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our “prana”, or vital life force. It’s also referred to as breathwork. Here, learn about pranayama exercises and discover breathwork techniques to cultivate a deeper, more mindful relationship with yourself and your yoga practice.
Latest in Pranayama
If You’re Not Doing This in Your Yoga Practice, You’re Missing Out on Key Benefits
Pranayama, or breathwork, is an essential component of your yoga practice that influences your blood pressure, mood, and sleep.
Ask the Teacher: Deep Breathing Makes Me Panic. What Can I Do?
The answer starts with awareness. Sarah Powers explains how.
What Is Pranayama?
Exploring the ancient practice of breath control in yoga.
The Secret to Slowing Your Breath
This simple technique will help you finally master lengthening your inhalations and exhalations.
This Is the Secret to Getting More Out of Your Forward Bends
“Going deeper” into your pose has nothing to do with how it looks.
The Myth and Magic of Pranayama
We trust our breath to keep us alive, to help us through panic or pain, and support our meditation and yoga practices. But that’s not all it can do. Here's how your body moves with your breath.
How Transformational Breath Helped Me Learn to Let Go
Practicing this form of breathwork made me aware of how much we’re all holding onto—and how important it is to release stuck emotions.
Clear Your Mind With This Breathing Practice from Meditation Teacher KYMÅ
Need a way to clear your mind? Try Trinity Breath set to this track created by KYMÅ, a DJ, sonic wellness consultant, and meditation teacher. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at her production process.
9 Yoga Poses for Back Pain
Ease back pain and refresh your energy with this sequence to help you feel more spacious and breathe deeper.
Frazzled Nerves? Try These 3 Breathing Practices for Cooling Off and Calming Down
Pranayama can be a simple way to find balance and beat the summer heat.
Are You a Striver? Yoga Can Help You Break Cycles of Overexertion and Stress
When we push too hard, we're prone to stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. But when we fail to apply ourselves, we may never realize our potential. In his new book, The Practice is the Path, yoga teacher Tias Little describes how to find middle ground. Plus, a pranayama practice to embody balance.
Find Calm and Boost Your Immunity with These 9 Yogic Breathing Exercises
Try these easy pranayama practices to access mental clarity and release tension and stress.
Are You Conflict Avoidant? Here’s How to Breathe Through Uncomfortable Conversations
This advanced pranayama can help you and a friend or family member share feedback in a constructive way. Who doesn't need help with that?
Try This Breath Practice for Instant Laughter
Bogged down by the headlines or the way Marriage Story ended with that awkward, sad song? Here's an easy way to get an energetic jolt of joy so you can reset your day.
How to Practice Sama Vritti Pranayama (Box Breathing)
Try Sama Vritti Pranayama (Box Breathing) when you’re stressed, anxious, or upset.
Pranayama 101: How to Cultivate More Energy Through Your Inhalations
This prep pose expands your lungs so each in breath increases blood flow.
Pranayama 101: This Mindful Breathing Practice Builds Ease After Asana
New to pranayama? This is a good place to start connecting to your breath and subtle body.
Pranayama 101: Why Do We Practice Nadi Shodhana?
There’s a good reason alternate-nostril breathing is commonly sequenced in yoga classes (and beyond).
Master Class: How Does Pranayama Help Digestion?
Whether you realize it or not, your gut could use a little help with its flow.
Rodney Yee’s Restorative Yoga Sequence to Prepare for Pranayama
Release tension with this restorative sequence from Rodney Yee for encouraging the flow of breath and prana.
Why Rodney Yee Thinks Committing to a Daily Pranayama Practice Will Change Your Life
Learn how master teacher Rodney Yee discovered the power of pranayama to quiet the mind and why it's a focus of every asana class he teaches.
Finding Connection Through Yoga: Deepak Chopra’s Yoga Sequence to Reach Higher Consciousness
Connect to higher consciousness and reach your full potential with this heart- and mind-opening asana and pranayama practice.
Feel the Feels: A Mindful Breathing Practice for Tough Emotions
This basic technique has the power to transform life’s challenges.
The Best Pranayama for Your Dosha
You probably know that your diet should change with the seasons, but according to Ayurveda, even your pranayama should be tweaked three times a year. Here's how to do it.
5 Mindfulness Practices to Rewire Your Brain and Improve Health
By integrating simple, two-minute embodiment tools several times daily, you’ll see profound changes in your health and wellbeing.
Mom-asana: Finding the Moment with Pranayama
The best remedy for the fast pace of parenthood? Simply taking a deep breath and seeing where it goes.
Pillars of Power: 3 Ways the Breath Is Key in Baptiste Yoga
Master Baptiste Yoga teacher Leah Cullis explains how learning how to breathe helped her tap into her power on and off the mat.
The Science of Breathing
Western research is now proving what yogis have known all along: Breathwork can deliver powerful mind and body benefits. In this three-part series, learn how and why to take better advantage of it both in practice and in life.
Goddess Yoga Project: Defeat Fear With Sword Breath
Turn to this pranayama practice in times of transformation to invoke Kali and free yourself from anything that's holding you back.
LÄRABAR Tip of the Week: Take a Deep Breath
Pranayama, the formal practice of controlling the breath, is essential to good health.
Pose of the Week: Ujjayi Breath
Ujjayi breath is achieved by breathing in and out through the nose while constricting the glottis at the back of the throat. Here's how to do it:
Q+A: How Do I Know I’m Breathing the Right Way in Yoga Class?
Different styles of yoga engage different breathing techniques. The one we use at my studio and in the Baptiste Yoga methodology is called Ujjayi breath.
Prana In the Belly: 4 Steps to a Healthy Core + Digestive System
Bo Forbes teaches how to release tension, increase prana, and promote physical and emotional digestion in the belly.
3 Warming Breaths: Pranayama Perfect for Winter
Use these classic yogic breathing techniques before winter workouts, snow sports, or Sun Salutes to beat cold and dry winter air.
16 Sidebending Poses to Prep for Pranayama
Stretching sideways can activate core muscles, expand breathing, and bring feelings of spaciousness and levity.
In Need of Immediate Stress Relief? Try These 3 Deep-Breathing Techniques.
You'll feel calmer and more centered after these practices.
How to Practice “Bee Breath” to Help Relieve Anxiety
Who couldn't use a simple breathing technique that works in seconds?
Diaphragmatic Breathing: The Best Way to Breathe to Advance Your Yoga Practice
You’re probably used to belly breathing, which is an excellent introduction to breath awareness for beginner yogis. Yet diaphragmatic rib cage breathing is a skill you’ll need if you really want to advance your practice. Here’s how to do it.
Yoga Breathing Can Change Your Athletic Game
Yogic breathwork can transform your performance and the experience of your favorite sport.
Hand Crafted
The following pranayama techniques will bring balance.
How to Obtain Samadhi Through Your Pranayama Practice
Practicing pranayama is essential if you hope to experience samadhi, yoga's true purpose.
Breathe to Relax in Restorative Yoga + Meditation
Use these breathing techniques to induce relaxation during your restorative yoga and meditation practice.
Conqueror Breath
Ujjayi is the beginner-friendly springboard for all other formal pranayama.
Root Bond
Learn one of three important "bonds," key for pranayama breath retention.
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama: Channel-Cleaning Breath
Sometimes considered a preparation for pranayama, other times a formal practice in itself.
Single Nostril Breath
Learn the two versions of Single Nostril Pranayama: Surya Bhedana (Sun-Piercing Breath) and Chandra Bhedana (Moon-Piercing Breath).
Yoga of Sound Breath
Practice this pranayama technique for increased breath awareness and control.
Skull Shining Breath
Kapalabhati is a traditional internal cleansing technique (kriya), and can be used as a simple warm-up for formal pranayama
Kumbhaka Pranayama: Breath Retention
Kumbhaka is the central practice of traditional Hatha pranayama; there are two types of retention: after an inhale (antara), and after an exhale (bahya)
Deer Seal
Learn this traditional hand seal or gesture used for controlled pranayama.
Aadil Palkhivala Explains How to Teach Ujjayi Breath
Some students struggle to grasp the source of Ujjayi breathing, while others tend to exaggerate it. What's the best way to teach Ujjayi breath?
Lion Pose
Blow off some steam, wake up your face, and lighten up your practice in silly Simhasana.
Breathwork Practices for Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
You already possess one of the most effective ways to soothe stress overload.
Awaken Your Yoga Practice with Breathing Awareness
Yoga gives us deeper breathing awareness–and brings greater concentration to the parts of the body that allow us to exhale and inhale fully.
Understand the Exhale During Pranayama
Know whether to exhale through the mouth or nose during pranayama breathing or just in natural breathing.
6 Tests to Self-Identify Your Breathing Patterns
Are you a mouth breather? Poor breathing habits are easy to spot. Use these 6 tests to identify your own breathing problems.