PRANAYAMA

(Sanskrit: "breath control"), in the Yoga system of Indian philosophy, fourth of the eight stages intended to lead the aspirant to samadhi, a state of perfect concentration. The immediate goal of pranayama is to reduce breathing to an effortless, even rhythm, thus helping to free the individual's mind from attention to bodily functions. The practitioners of Yoga recognize four states of consciousness-waking, sleep with dreams, sleep without dreams, and a state resembling cataleptic consciousness-each of which has its own respiratory rhythm. By prolonging each respiration as long as possible in simulation of the unconscious states during which respiration is slower than in the normal waking state, the yogi ultimately learns to pass from one state to another, without loss of consciousness. The ability to reduce respiration markedly is what enables the experienced practitioner of Yoga to be buried alive for periods of time.