What's the Difference Between Breathing and Pranayama?

"Breathing is a bridge between the voluntary and involuntary functionings of the body, between conscious mind and subconscious psyche, between body and spirit. Our breathing reflects our state of mind, elation or depression, restlessness or repose. Through proper and regulated breathing, we can gain a large measure of control over our emotions. So how does breathing differ from pranayama, or are they the same thing?"

"By dividing the word pranayama into two parts, we note that prana means "energy" and ayama means "expansion." Iyengar defines the word similarly, but adds that ayama also means "length, stretching, or restraint." Tyberg defines the word slightly differently, suggesting that pra means "forth" and an is from the verb meaning "to breathe." Thus pranayama is the control of that which brings forth breath."

Breathing underlies athletic performance, deep relaxation, and asana practice and is essential for physiological and psychological well-being. Breath functions as a bridge linking voluntary and involuntary bodily processes, conscious and subconscious mind, and body with spirit. Breathing patterns mirror emotional states such as elation, depression, restlessness, or repose, and regulated breathing provides significant emotional control. Pranayama is described as a practice that can affect consciousness even more deeply than asanas. The term combines prana (energy) and ayama (expansion, length, stretching, or restraint), and various teachers interpret its components differently. Ancient commentary distinguishes prana as the magnetic current of breath rather than mere inhaled air.

Read at Yoga Journal