Reflective Asana and Pranayama
Sutras on Pranayama
There is no short path to restraining the fluctuations of the mind (Sutra I.2) as outlined in Chapter I (Samadhi Pada). Chapter II, Sadhana Pada, shows the path through the body (asana) and through the breath (pranayama).
Chapter II, Sadhana Pada, contains the three “asana” sutras (II.46-48), corresponding to the 3rd limb of yoga. The 4th limb, pranayama is described in sutras II.49-53, beginning with a definition and ending with the outcome – “the mind becomes fit for concentration” (II.53). Sutra II.55 is the transition to the 5th limb of yoga, pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses in preparation for meditation.
II.49. Tasmin sati svasa prasvasayoh gativicchedah pranayama”
“Pranayama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention. It is to be practiced only after perfection in asana is attained.”
This is a simple functional definition of pranayama according to its components: puraka (inhalation), rechaka (exhalation), and kumbhaka (retention). Later, kumbhaka is further into bahya kumbhaka (retention/pause after inhalation), and antara kumbhaka (retention after exhalation). Mr. Iyengar’s commentary begins pp. 152-155 [LOYS].
Bryant translates the sutra this way: AWhen that [asana] is accomplished, pranayamah, breath control [follows]. This consists of the regulation of the incoming and outgoing breaths.
Both renderings emphasize that asana is to be developed first, but Mr. Iyengar’s use of the word “perfected” may be daunting to many practitioners. Pranayama can bring benefits to a practitioner before “perfection” in asana is reached (whatever that might be), but asana is clearly the gateway and preparation for yoga breath. In this view, the body and mind should first be prepared through the practice of asana.
II. 50 bahya abhyantara stambha vrttih desa kala samkhyabhih paridrstah dirgha
suksmah
Pranayama has three movements: prolonged and fine inhalation, exhalation and retention; all regulated with precision according to duration and place.
[Bryant: “[Pranayamah] manifests as external, internal, and restrained movements [of breath]. These are drawn out and subtle in accordance to place, time, and number.“
This sutra hints that the practice is much more than deep breathing — that inhalation, exhalation and retention of breath are to be practiced in many variations.
II.51. bahya abhyantara visaya aksepi caturthah
The fourth type of pranayama transcends the external and internal pranayamas, and appears effortless and non‑deliberate.
[Bryant: “The fourth [type of pranayama] surpasses the limits of the external and the internal.”
This sutra indicates that there is an advanced state of pranayama that not measured by the factors in sutra II.51 but transcends them. One way to view this is that, like asana, the advanced practice pranayama leads to a physical and mental state beyond dualities and categories—a meditative state that is different from normal everyday consciousness.
II.52 tatah kyiyate prakasa avaranam
Pranayama removes the veil covering the light of knowledge and heralds the dawn of
wisdom.”
[Bryant: “Then, the covering of the illumination [of knowledge] is weakened.”
As hinted in sutra II.51, the continued and diligent practice of pranayama can bring clarity of thinking and perception, with the result that:
II.53. dharanasu ca yogyata manasah
Bryant translates this as: The mind also become fit for concentration
Mr. Iyengar elaborates a bit: “Pranayama is not only an instrument to steady the mind, but also the gateway to concentration, dharana.
The sutra following in II.54 specifies the 5th limb of yoga, pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) as the transition between pranayama and meditation.
II.54. svavisaya asamprayoge cittasya svarupanukarah iva indriyanam pratyaharah
Withdrawing the senses, mind and consciousness from the contact with external objects, and then drawing them inwards toward the seer, is pratyahara.
When the mind is withdrawn from sense objects becomes ready for the meditation steps of yoga. Chapter I (Samadhi Pada) describes the process for advanced practitioners for whom meditation and insight come more easily. Chapter II (Sadhana Pada), the way of practice (kriya yoga) describes the path for those of us who need the path of asana and pranayama to prepare the body and mind first. This is the chapter for the rest of us – the ones who need physical and breath practices to learn to “restrain the fluctuations of the mind” (Sutra I.2).