Pranayama—the practice of breath

Breath was the last thing I expected to change my life.

I'd been moving through yoga for years before I slowed down enough to actually feel it. Pranayama did that for me—and it's the part of practice I most want to share. These ten practices are the ones I return to again and again, in my own life, in my teaching and in the moments when I need to come back to myself.

Pranayama is the fourth limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed path—the art of directing and expanding prana, the life force, through conscious breath.

Some practices here will calm you. Some will sharpen you. Some will do both.

Directions:

Choose a practice from the panel on the left. The middle panel will show you what to expect. When you're ready, set the number of rounds in the right panel and hit Begin. Let the breath lead—if any practice feels uncomfortable at any point, simply return to natural breathing.

Select a practice
to begin

Rounds 4

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Practice complete

Pranayama—the practice of breath

Breath was the last thing I expected to change my life.

Pranayama is the fourth limb of Patanjali's eight-limbed path—the art of directing and expanding prana, the life force, through conscious breath.

We were all designed to move. breathe. be.