pranayama

noun

pra·na·ya·ma | \ ˌprä-nə-ˈyä-mə

variants: or less commonly pranayam \ ˌprä-nə-ˈyäm

plural pranayamas or pranayams

Definition of pranayama

yoga

: yogic breath control or a technique used in yogic breath control Held in a colonial-era convent in the heart of Old Havana, morning classes were devoted to asana, afternoons to yoga philosophy, evenings to pranayama.— Fernando Pagés Ruiz I detail here a powerful pranayam from the Sanatan Kriya, the regular practice of which will leave the body healthier, in balance and less susceptible to diseases. — The News Chronicle (Nigeria) Pranayama, also known as breath yoga, is a means of self-realization. It's also the focus of this 300-plus-page step-by-step guide to manipulating your breathing.— Benjamin A. Bensadon —often used before another noun pranayama breathingpranayama instructionThe class fits nicely into our work day and is a simple and convenient way for many of our 100 employees to be introduced to asana and pranayama practice.— Tom Pilarzyk

History and Etymology for pranayama

borrowed from Sanskrit prāṇāyāma-, from prāṇa- "breath, breath of life" (noun derivative from pra- "before, in front" + the base of aniti "breathes") + āyāma- "stretching, extension," noun derivative from the verb base ā-yam- "stretch, lengthen," from ā- "near, toward" (going back to Indo-Iranian *ā-, of uncertain origin) + yam-, base of yacchati "(s/he) extends, offers, controls," aorist yamati, going back to Indo-Iranian yam- (whence Avestan -yasaiti "holds, takes away"), of uncertain origin