Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम prāṇāyāma, prana – vital energy, yama – control) is the practice of correct and conscious breathing, its regulation and control. Pranayama is the management of vital energy, prana, and the accumulation of its reserves through breath control practices. Breath control allows for regulating the flows of vital energy flowing in the human body through energy channels, nadis, which promotes physical and mental balance.

Breathing is closely related to the state of mind, close to the yogi's mind, so practicing pranayama calms the mind and reduces mind wandering, which is essential to prepare for meditation. In the yogic tradition, pranayama is the fourth limb of the eight limbs of yoga, which serves as an intermediary link between physical practice and inner spiritual practice. It helps the yogi focus attention, improves awareness, and prepares the mind for deeper meditation and spiritual yoga practice.

The practice of pranayama promotes better functioning of the respiratory system, increases the level of oxygen in the blood, improves the body's resistance, helps cleanse the body of toxins, and strengthens the immune system. With regular practice of pranayama, a person can reduce stress, anxiety, and tension, and improve their mental state.

Breathing is closely related not only to the body's physical health but also to the human mind and its inner state. The practice of pranayama helps maintain mental balance, focusing attention on the inner sphere. By observing the breath, the senses begin to calm down, and as they quieten, the mind also calms. In this way, the practice of pranayama deepens the awareness of human essence, provides an understanding of life's manifestation, and contributes to spiritual growth.

During pranayama practice, one learns to consciously regulate and extend breathing. By observing the airflow, the ability to fully utilize the entire lung volume is developed. In this way, through continuous pranayama practice, a person's lung capacity increases, and respiratory organs begin to efficiently supply all body cells with oxygen. Thanks to the practice of breath regulation, the senses and mind begin to calm down, and inner peace manifests.

Most of the time, a person breathes without giving a thought to the importance of breathing. When breathing, they do not use the entire lung volume, resulting in superficial breathing. Also, due to experienced stress and tension, the flow of breathing becomes disrupted, and this has a negative impact on the body's functioning. The practice of pranayama helps restore disrupted breathing, eliminates tension, and improves the functioning of the nervous system and the entire organism.

Pranayama at the ashram takes place twice a week, and one class lasts 1 hour.

Mondays feature Pranayama I - basic level practice, and Wednesdays feature Pranayama II - Advanced level practice.

To see the exact time or possible changes, check the schedule of classes.

To master pranayama, an experienced teacher is necessary, otherwise, the practice of pranayama can be dangerous. Therefore, before starting to attend breathing practices, it is necessary to complete the course "Introduction to Pranayama Practice", which is regularly held at the ashram twice a year - in spring and autumn.