Pranayama Terminology

Topics

1. Key concepts and terms: prana, breathing practices, pranayama, puraka, rechaka, kumbhaka
2. Definitions, distinctions and relationships

Questions Answered

1. What do yogis mean by the word "prana"?
2. How is prana derived?
3. What is the relationship between prana and breathing practices?
4. What two roots make up the word, "pranayama" and what do they mean?
5. Why is it important to distinguish between the root "ayama" vs "yama??
6. What does pranayama do?
7. Define puraka, rechaka and kumbhaka.
8. What are typical movement pairings for the inhalation? For the exhalation?