What is Pranayama

In a single word, I can't explain Prana. But if you want to visualise it or relate it to something familiar, it can be compared to Chi in the Chinese tradition.

And "Ayam" in Sanskrit means control or regulation.

So what exactly are we controlling? Chi or life energy? Yes and no.

Pranayama is often understood as controlling Prana, but in practice, what we are directly controlling is the breath. To be more precise, we are regulating our breathing pattern.

When the breath becomes steady and regulated, the flow of Prana also becomes balanced. That is why breathing practices are so important in yoga. By learning to regulate the breath, we influence our energy, our mind, and the way we experience life.