Q.
What does the word “pranayama” mean, and what do pranayama practices do?
A.
The word “prana” (prāṇa) is Sanskrit and means “air”, “breath” and “life force”. So the word itself demonstrates the subtle connection that exists between our breathing, and the life force in our body. It isn’t just that if we breathe we stay alive, the connection goes much deeper than that.
The word “ayama” (Āyāma) means to “extend” or “expand”. So pranayama (Prāṇāyāma) means to expand or extend the life force in the body.
By changing the way we breathe, we can actually alter the way that energy flows in our body, making us feel more alive and more energetic. We can also use this energy to transform our body at a subtle level, to open and activate the chakras (subtle energetic centres) and bring ourselves to a hightened and more purified state of living. The experience of this is as if every cell of the body is exploding with joy. We feel more alive, euphoric, expanded and free.