Pranayam is a breathing technique that expands pranic energy in the body. It involves more than just inhaling and exhaling oxygen, as it encourages vital life force energy called prana. Our lifestyle, actions, diet, thoughts, and senses can deplete our pranic energy levels and cause energy loss or blockages if irregular. Practicing pranayam after yoga poses helps expand and balance the five types of prana in the body. When doing pranayam, it is important to follow rules like practicing on an empty stomach, in a well-ventilated area, remembering a mantra during breaths, keeping the eyes closed, and not overexerting.

1. Radhey Krishna Pranayam
The Pranayam
Pranayam has been derived from two words Pran and Ayam. It means, to expand the pranic energy of the
body. Normally it is understood only as a respiration technique of inhaling and exhaling. It is true that the
level of oxygen increases in the body through pranayam, but the meaning is not limited to this.
‘Pran’ is a life-giving energy which is subtler than oxygen and is present everywhere. In Pranayam, special
breathing techniques are used to encourage that very vital force.
Our lifestyle deeply effects the pranic forces. Our actions, sleep, diet, thought, senses, etc all have an effect
on our pranas Irregularity and indiscrimination in our lifestyle depletes pranic energy and leads to pranic
blockages. That is why people feel the loss of energy from time to time. The depletion of pranic forces leads
to ailments in organs and muscles. The various Pranayam practices help expand this forces and balance the
five types of pranas in the body. Pranayam should be practiced after asans.
– Rules
 It is necessary to follow some of the basic rules of pranayam for deriving its benefits, otherwise it can
have an adverse effect. Therefore one need to be aware of the rules of practicing pranayam.
 Pranayam should be done on empty bowels or at least four hours after meals. It should be practiced
where adequate fresh air is available. One can sit in any meditative asan but the spine and neck should
be straight.
 Remember God’s name along with Pranayam. Say in your mind Ra… during inhalation and Dhey…
during exhalation You can remember any Name of God.
 Eyes should be closed so that mind does not get diverted.
 Keep a slight smile on your face while practicing Pranayam. Let there be no sign of tension in our face.
 You should not exhaust yourself while practicing Pranayam or it may effect adversely.
Source: JKyog.org