Foundations · Reading
Pranayama
The fourth limb: the regulation of the breath, in three parts.
Awaiting subject reviewWritten from our source material and not yet checked by a teacher of this practice. Read it as reference, and learn the practice from someone who teaches it.
Philosophy
Prana is the vital force; ayama means extension or regulation. Patanjali describes pranayama as the regulation of the movement of the in-breath and out-breath, once the seat is steady.
Every pranayama technique works with three parts of the breath: pooraka, the inhale; kumbhaka, the retention; and rechaka, the exhale. Retention is a strong practice and is learnt with a teacher.
This card explains the limb. The individual techniques are on the Breath shelf.
Terms
- Pooraka
- Inhalation.
- Kumbhaka
- Retention of the breath.
- Rechaka
- Exhalation.
Further reading
- Yoga Sutras 2.49
Ideas behind it
Practices
Sources and tradition
- YOG Union App Content Map, 2 November 2026, p. 3, pooraka, kumbhaka, rechaka
- Patanjali, Yoga Sutras, 2.49