4  Pranayama (Breath regulation)

Prana is the vital life energy within the breath, and so it can also be translated as "the breath of life". Ayama means "expansion" or "to stretch", and therefore pranayama is the practice whereby life energy is expanded through the regulation and control of the breath. 

The natural sound of the breath, soham (son-hum), in Sanskrit means "I am that ... beyond the limitations of body and mind" and resonates unconsciously through the body like a mantra (sacred sound) with each breath taken.

In yoga it is believed that by listening into our breath we also become aware of this quiet blessing.
 

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