Pranayama are breathing exercises developed by the ancient yogis for purification.
Prana translates into "life force energy" and Yama translates into
"control or mastery of". Thus, Pranyama is used to control, cultivate,
and modify the Prana in the body. Prana is taken in through the air we breathe,
and since the Pranayama exercises increase the amount of air we take in, they
also increase our intake of Prana.
For all Pranayama (except Kapalabhati), the breath is slow and steady, breathed
in and out of the nose and down into the belly. Always sit with a straight spine
and a relaxed body. While you are practicing Pranayama, let go of any thoughts
by focusing on the breathing involved with the Pranayama.
Contents of Yoga Basics:
Yoga Postures- over 100 yoga postures with pictures and descriptions
Yoga Exercises - instructions for 100 yoga exercises, pranayamas and meditations
Chakras - yoga postures to activate the 7 chakras
Yoga Asanas - over 100 yoga asanas with photos and descriptions
Yoga Breathing Exercises - pranayama and how to breathe with yoga
Yoga Poses- over 100 yoga poses with pictures and descriptions
Yoga for Beginners - how to start practicing yoga for beginners
Yoga Instruction Guide - complete instruction for 100 yoga postures with photos and descriptions
Yoga Meditations - guided instruction for yoga and zen meditations
Yoga Move - over 100 yoga moves with photos and descriptions
Yoga Photos
- index of 100 color yoga photos and descriptions
Yoga Picture
Guide - 100 yoga postures with color picture and description
Yoga
Technique Guide - online guide to the technique and practice of yoga
Yoga
Position Index- over 100 yoga positions with picture and description
To get the most out of our site, we suggest you take some time to explore before
jumping into the practice. Browse our yoga section for general info on the history
and types of yoga, then start exploring asanas the physical postures used in
hatha yoga. Remember to breathe and always start your yoga practice with a brief
meditation. Questions? check out our yoga FAQ page
If you are brand new to yoga, please read our Yoga for Beginner's page.
Yoga Basics is an online yoga resource
containing 100 illustrated yoga postures, yoga meditations, yoga breathing exercises,
chakras, teacher locator with a
yoga store offering yoga
mats, props,
yoga books, videos,
CDs and yoga
clothing.
Hatha Yoga (ha="sun" tha="moon") attains this union of mind-body-spirit though a balanced practice of Astanga, the eight limbs of yoga.