It doesn't matter.
Cue the yoga purists and gate keepers with their angry faces in 3...2...1....
Let's start with how they are similar...they both involve breathing.
Cool, we got that out of the way.
All pranayama is breath work, but all breath work isn't pranayama.
Let me say this right here, right now...ANY breath work you do is beneficial.
Period. The end. Hard stop.
Now read on.
Pranayama is a set exercise. Ujjayi breathing is pranayama, as are nadhi sodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and bhramari (humming bee breath). These are techniques handed down throughout yoga lineage with a specific purpose and technique. Very often pranayama will also involve bandhas, or energy locks, to manipulate your prana or life energy. What is prana? As one of my favorite teachers often says, it's the difference between you and a cadaver.
The purpose of pranayama, which translates to vital life force (prana) control (yama), is to manipulate or harness the energy within your body to achieve certain states. Some techniques are cleansing or purifying, while some are balancing, and others are used for concentration or focus. It helps to remember that yoga started as a much more meditative practice than our modern yoga. Movement and pranayama were a tool to help yogis achieve a state that would allow them to sit in meditation for hours.
Again, all pranayama is breath work.
Prana is not breath BUT it is symbolized by the breath because that can be purposely controlled and manipulated.
Breath work is just that, working with the breath.
And that has some amazing physiological benefits!
Whenever possible we inhale through the nose, it takes in more oxygen than mouth breathing, and the entire purpose of our respiratory system is to bring oxygen to our cells. In addition to keeping us alive, it boosts our immunity and can help with clearer thinking. Controlled breath can also assist with stress responses, which makes it a great tool for anyone who suffers from PTSD, anxiety, or just has a stressful lifestyle. Rapid, shallow breathing is associated with a heightened sympathetic nervous system, responsible for our fight or flight response. Slow, controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which then sends out a thumbs up to your whole body and lets it know that you're OK.
So now that you have all that information, what are you going to do with it?
You have options:
1) nothing, do nothing with it
2) share this knowledge by sharing this post (someone you know might love it!)
3) sign up for a class or workshop with me and put this knowledge to use
4) follow me on IG to always know about my in person and virtual offerings
If I may be honest, any combination of numbers 2, 3, and 4 are preferable to me...obviously you're free to number 1 it, but gosh, I put so much time into this. If you're sure you want to number 1 it, consider Buying Me a Cup of Coffee (the cute little button just down there ⬇) to thank me for my time.
Whatever you decide, before you go...exhale all your stale air out and take a big big big breath...then hold it for two seconds...and slowly release it.
Namaste!
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