Pranayama - Tasmin Sati Svasa Prasvasayoh Gati Vicchedah Pranayamah

After mastering posture, one must practise control of Prana (Pranayama) by stopping the motions of inhalation and exhalation. (Yoga Sutra 2/49)

- Murarilal Dhanuka

When the automatic activity is controlled then begins the superior control of bio-energy. Dictionary meaning of Pranayama means breath control. General meaning of Prana means breath, essence of life strength, organ of sense and life essence.

In yoga Pranayama is not as many think, that it is something about breath, breath indeed has very little to do it, if anything. Breathing is only one of many exercises through which we get to the real Pranayama. Pranayama means control of Prana. As per scriptures, the whole universe is compounded of two materials. One is Akasha and second is the power of Prana. The whole universe is created by Akasha, which may be air, liquid, solid even sun, stars, earth, human and animal body, plants etc. At the beginning of creation there is only Akasha and at the end of the cycle, the solids, the liquids and gases all melt into the Akasha again and the next creation, similarly proceeds out of this Akasha.