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holds the universe together is dynamized and redistributed at various levels of existence.
Etymological meaning The word 'pranayama' has two etymological explanations. It has been interpreted as a combination of the words prana + ayama, and also as a combination of the words prana + yama. The word ayama means 'expanding the dimension', so in the first sense pranayama means expanding the dimension of prana. The word yama means 'restraint' or 'control', so here pranayama refers to the control or restraint of prana. Both etymological explanations are able to convey the meaning of pranayama.
Prana is a force in constant motion: therefore, if pranayama is understood as prana + yama, then the only way to control a moving force is by stopping it to the extent of complete cessation. Only then is one able to harness its power. This point of complete cessation is kumbhaka, or breath retention, whereby the force of prana is held, restrained and directed towards a specific purpose, the awakening of kundalini shakti and union with the divine. However, when pranayama is understood as prana + ayama, it refers to a process of stretching, extending or expanding. In this context, pranayama is the process by which the internal pranic dimension is expanded, increased and held, thereby activating the quantum of prana in the body to a higher frequency.
The scriptures describe seven ayamas, or planes of individual existence. The first ayama is bhur loka, the gross physical dimension, perceptible to the mind and senses. The second is bhuva loka in which one perceives dreams and experiences moments of hallucinations. The third is swah loka, perceived in deep sleep. The consciousness traverses these three ayamas in waking, dreaming and sleeping states. When a child is conceived, prana is created in its physical body and gradually extends the area of control to these three fields of human experience, but no further. Normally
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