How is yogic breathing different from pranayama?
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Yogic breathing and pranayama are closely related practices in yoga. Yogic breathing refers to the conscious awareness and control of the breath, focusing on deep, rhythmic inhalation and exhalation to calm the mind and energize the body. Pranayama, on the other hand, specifically refers to the formal practice of breath control. It involves specific techniques such as alternate nostril breathing, kapalabhati, and ujjayi breathing, which aim to regulate and manipulate the breath to influence the flow of prana (life force energy) in the body. So, while yogic breathing is a fundamental aspect of yoga that encompasses natural breathing patterns, pranayama is a more structured practice that involves specific.