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प्राणः स्वदेहजो वायुस्तस्यायामो निरोधनम् ॥ तद्रोचकं पूरकं च कुंभकं च त्रिधोच्यते ॥ २१ ॥
Prāṇa is the vital breath in the body. Āyāma is checking. Hence Prāṇāyāma means checking or restraining the breath. It is of three forms—Recaka, Pūraka and Kumbhaka.
english translation
नासिकापुटमंगुल्या पीड्यैकमपरेण तु ॥ औदरं रेचयेद्वायुं तथायं रेचकः स्मृतः ॥ २२ ॥
One of the nostrils is pressed with the finger and the air from the belly is let out through the other. This is Recaka (Exhaling).
english translation
बाह्येन मरुता देहं दृतिवत्परिपूरयेत् ॥ नासापुटेनापरेण पूरणात्पूरकं मतम् ॥ २३ ॥
Then through the other nostril the external air is inhaled and the body is filled up like the bellows. It is Pūraka (Inhaling).
english translation
न मुंचति न गृह्णाति वायुमंतर्बहिः स्थितम् ॥ संपूर्णं कुंभवत्तिष्ठेदचलः स तु कुंभक ॥ २४ ॥
He does not breathe out the internal or breathe in the external air. He remains steady like the fìlled-up jar. It is called Kumbhaka (Retention).
english translation
रेचकाद्यं त्रयमिदं न द्रुतं न विलंबितम् ॥ तद्यतः क्रमयोगेन त्वभ्यसेद्योगसाधकः ॥ २५ ॥
The three, Recaka etc. shall not be done hurriedly or slowly. The practiser of Yoga shall adopt them gradually with restraint.
english translation