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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Prana means ‘energy’ and Ayama is ‘to regulate’. Pranayama essentially refers to the practice by which one can regulate the vital energy. Pranayama helps in making breathing slow and rhythmic. And when the breath slows down, the [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] also becomes calmer. Therefore, Pranayama as a practice uses breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind.<ref name=":0" />

Prana means ‘energy’ and Ayama is ‘to regulate’. Pranayama essentially refers to the practice by which one can regulate the vital energy<ref name=":0" /> that is linked to one's mental, physical and spiritual health. Yoga conceives human existence in the form of sheaths or Koshas. The outermost sheath is called annamaya kosha, the physical body or sthula-sharira (the gross body). The next layer is called sheath of vitality or pranamaya kosha that, together with the following two layers, constitutes the subtle body or sukshma-sharira. And Pranayama or breathing exercises are the major ways to nourish and strengthen this sheath of vitality.<ref>Pandey A. (2022), [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362889666_Chapter_2_Human_Self_Work_and_of_Human_Being_Indian_Worldview_and_Implications_for_Management_Practices_and_Scholarship Human Self, Work and of Human Being: Indian Worldview and Implications for Management Practices and Scholarship], Indigenous Indian Management, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.</ref>

 

Furthermore, Pranayama helps in making breathing slow and rhythmic. And when the breath slows down, the [[Manas (मनः)|mind]] also becomes calmer. Therefore, Pranayama as a practice uses breath to soothe the fluctuations of ‘chitta’ or the active thinking mind.<ref name=":0" />

=== प्राणायामस्य प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ===

=== प्राणायामस्य प्रयोजनानि ॥ Benefits of Pranayama ===