In Hatha Yoga Pradipika they say that the mind is the king of the senses and the breath is the king of the mind. And if the nerves, nervous system which is about 6,000 miles in our system has a rhythmic vibration then that rhythmic vibration of the nerves becomes the king of the breath. I will show you the inhalation and exhalation to experience the rhythm of the sound of breath...
That is inhalation. Did you experience the beauty of that sound?
So also exhalation...
~ BKS Iyengar
Saxifrage flower in Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi National Park, Himalaya, India.
Valley of Flowers: In the Himalayan region of Garhwal, in Uttranchal state, the captivating Valley of Flowers is a paradise on Earth. With a touch of mystique and divine solitude, it inspires equanimity. A World Heritage Site since the year 1988, the Valley of Flowers has enraptured mountaineers and botanists alike much longer. Keep Reading
Saffron petunia flowers blooming wild at Tapovan near Joshimath, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, North India. The forests of Tapovan in their green shade hide the temple of Bhavishya Badri.
Chapter 1. Hath Yoga Pradipika, About Asanas
Chapter 2. Hath Yoga Pradipika
About Pranayama
1. Mastering asanas or postures, a Yogi, master of himself, eating food which is moderate and has offered to Shiva, should practice pranayama, as instructed by the guru.
2. Respiration being disturbed, the mind becomes disturbed. By restraining respiration, the Yogi gets steadiness of mind.
3. So long as the (breathing) air stays in the body, it is called life. Death consists in the passing out of the (breathing) air. It is, therefore, necessary to restrain the breath.
4. The breath does not pass through the middle channel (susumna), owing to the impurities of the nadis. How can then success be attained, and how can there be the unmani avastha.
5. When the whole system of the nadis which is full of impurities, is cleaned, then the Yogi becomes able to control the Prana.
6. Therefore, Pranayama should be performed daily with satwika buddhi (intellect free from raja and tama or activity and sloth), in order to drive out the impurities of the susumna.
Process for Pranayama
7. Sitting in the Padmasana posture the Yogi should fill in the air through the left nostril (closing the right one); and, keeping it confined according to one's ability, it should be expelled slowly through the surya (right nostril). More...
Hatha Yoga pradeepika is a Sanskrit text dated 15CE, written by Swatmarama to explain this system of health cum spiritual upliftment. It is to be used in tandem wih Raja Yoga, Patanjali Yoga Sutras for best results. Here is a English translation facilitated by various scholars.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Chapter 1
About Aasanas
1. Salutation to Adinatha (Siva) who expounded the knowledge of Hatha Yoga, which like a staircase leads the aspirant to the high pinnacled Raja Yoga.
2. Yogi Swatmarama, after saluting his Guru Srinatha explains Hatha Yoga for the attainment of Raja Yoga.
3. Owing to the darkness arising from the multiplicity of opinions people are unable to know the Raja Yoga. Compassionate Swatmarama composes the Hatha Yoga Pradipika like a torch to dispel it.
4. Matsyendra, Goraksa, etc., knew Hatha Vidya, and by their favor Yogi Swatmarama also learnt it from them.
5. The following Siddhas (masters) are said to have existed in former times: Sri Adinatha (Siva), Matsyendra, Natha, Sabar, Anand, Bhairava, Chaurangi, Mina Natha, Goraksanatha, Virupaksa, Bilesaya.More...
Yoga is to be known by Yoga. Yoga is the teacher of Yoga. The power of Yoga manifests through Yoga alone. The practitioner who does not become careless, negligent, inattentive, he/she alone rests in Yoga and enjoys Yoga.
~ Ved Vyas