Yoga of Breath, The

Lions, Elephants, Tigers

Just as lions, elephants and tigers are gradually controlled, so the prana is controlled through practice. Otherwise, the practitioner is destroyed. By proper practice of pranayama, all diseases are eradicated. Through improper practice, all diseases can arise.

Svatmarama, “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”

For several thousand years, yogis have drawn on the powerful practice of pranayama to maximize prana, or life energy, to rejuvenate the body and as a means of self-study and self-transformation. In this user-friendly guide Richard Rosen introduces us to the fundamentals of pranayama and shows us how to incorporate them into an existing yoga practice. Rosen’s approach and realistic practice plan is easy to follow with step-by-step descriptions of breath and body awareness exercises accompanied by clear illustrations.