If you’ve been to a yoga class, there’s a good chance you’ve heard your teacher say something like “inhale to lift, exhale to fold.” Maybe you’ve been guided through a deep sigh, or a few moments of stillness where the only instruction was to breathe. That’s pranayama in action — even if you didn’t realize it.

Pranayama is the yogic practice of intentional breathwork, and while it might sound intimidating, at its heart it’s just learning how to use the breath you already have. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful tools yoga offers — not just for your practice on the mat, but for your life beyond it.