What is the difference between yoga, pranayama, and meditation?

Yoga, pranayama, and meditation are interconnected practices, but they each have distinct focuses: 1. **Yoga:** Yoga is a holistic practice that encompasses physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles. While it often includes asanas, which are the physical poses commonly associated with yoga, yoga is more than just physical exercise. It aims to integrate the body, mind, and spirit for overall well-being and self-realization. 2. **Pranayama:** Pranayama is the practice of breath control. It involves various techniques to regulate and manipulate the breath, such as deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and breath retention. Pranayama is an essential component of yoga, as it helps to calm the mind, increase energy levels, and balance the body's vital energies (prana). 3. **Meditation:** Meditation is a mental practice that involves focusing the mind and cultivating awareness, presence, and inner peace. There are many different meditation techniques, including mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and transcendental meditation. While meditation is often incorporated into yoga practices, it can also be practiced independently as a standalone technique for mental and emotional well-being. In summary, yoga is a comprehensive practice that includes physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical principles, while pranayama focuses specifically on breath control techniques, and meditation is a mental practice aimed at cultivating awareness and inner peace. read less