Pranayama. The Breath of Yoga

In his third book, Gregor Maehle seeks to revive pranayama, the yogic practice of breathing, which has long been regarded as essential for spiritual evolution. He illustrates pranayama's significance with extensive quotations from yogic texts, demonstrating how it links posture practice to meditation and enhances progress in both areas. The book covers various aspects, including the health benefits and therapeutic applications of pranayama, its mental and spiritual advantages, and its influence on brain hemisphericity and the nervous system. Maehle explains the purpose and technical application of breath retentions, provides detailed guidelines for practice, and includes illustrations of key pranayama and kriya techniques. Additionally, he discusses the use of mantra and digital counting, the appropriate diet and postures, and the role of bandhas and kriyas in pranayama. The book also features descriptions of classical pranayamas like Nadi Shodhana and Bhastrika, alongside insights on raising Kundalini and a structured approach to learning techniques in relation to other yogic limbs. Maehle has been practicing and researching yoga since 1982, studying under various masters in India, and has previously published works on Ashtanga Yoga.