Pranayama- the Ashta Kumbhakas
Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, which translates to the expansion of the dimension of breath (Prana- breath, Ayama-expansion). It is a preparatory and purifying step of the body and prana before the awareness can be evolved to the further stages of Pratyahara and eventually Samyama. There are various kinds of pranayamas, some more useful for physical health benefits like disease prevention and cure; others highly beneficial for nadis purification, eventually leading to the stillness of mind. Learn in detail about these at the Yoga Teacher Training Programs in Rishikesh. Pranayama differs from other breathing techniques as it is powerful enough to still the Chitta. The mind's restlessness ceases when the breath is trained to move within and out of the body in a controlled manner. This is achieved by…