Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II - 50

Watching the breath within and without

Bahyaabhyantara stambhavrittirdesha kala sankhyabhihi paridrishto deergha sukshmaha|

Sri Patanjali speaks about the process of Pranayama here. He says, pranayama is the process of observing the breath as it travels in from out and out from within and stays still and moves too as it is directed to a particular place in the body for a regulated period of time (counts). It is also long, deep and subtle. Practice of Pranayama increases the prana. This Prana in turn energises the mind and increases awareness. In a heightened state of awareness, the mind becomes subtle and the intellect sharp, emotions stable and the body health.

- Text and Pix: Swahilya Shambhavi.

Patanjali Yoga Sutra - II - 49

When the breath in meets the breath out

Tasmin Sati Shwasa Prashwasayoho Gativicchedaha Pranayamaha|

Once established in the right yogic posture of asana, the focus can now be shifted to the Prana or life force. The Sutras begin with Yama and Niyama which purify and move on to steadying the physical body with asana and a focus on the inhalation and exhalation of the breath.

Breath is like a container for Prana which is subtle life energy. By regulating the inhalation and exhalation, Prana is regulated.

This Sutra speaks of stopping the flow of Prana or rather making it so quiet and steady that there is no inhalation and exhalation. There is a state of fullness and stillness of the breath. This reflects in a stillness in the state of mind too.

(Participants at a yoga event in Chennai's Jiva Park, organised by the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan on Gandhi Jayanthi. - Pix. Swahilya Shambhavi.)