pranayaman.
/ˌprɑːnəˈjɑːmə/, /ˌpranʌɪˈ(j)ɑːmə/, U.S. /ˌprɑnəˈjɑmə/ Hinduism and Yoga.
Extension of the breath; a stylized form of deep breathing practised as a brief act of concentration (usually repeated three times) before recitation or meditation, as a means of ridding oneself of impurities.For the stages of the process, see quot. 1840.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > sect > non-Christian religions > Hinduism > systems of philosophy > [noun] > yoga > breathing control
pranayama1811
1811 W. Ward Acct. Hindoos I. 344 In this act of Hindoo worship there are eight distinct parts, called yŭmŭ, niyŭmŭ, asŭnŭ, pranayamu, [etc.].
1840 H. H. Wilson Vishnu Purana 511 The first act is expiration, which is performed through the right nostril, with the left nostril closed with the fingers of the right hand... The thumb is then placed upon the right nostril, and the fingers raised from the left, through which breath is inhaled... In the third act both nostrils are closed, and breath suspended; and a succession of these operations is the practice of pránáyáma.
1924 Amer. Jrnl. Philol. 45 41 We also find ‘the supreme power’ of the Yogas (described as dhyāna, meditation) consisting of two stages, prānāyāma and ekāgratā manasaḥ.
1979 W. H. Canaway Solid Gold Buddha xi. 76 He..did some Pranayama, and calmed himself, through the rhythmic breathing.
2003 Bitch Summer 59/1 My PBS station airs Wai Lana's yoga program, allowing me to practice my bow pose, plow position, and pranayama in the privacy of my home.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1811