Pranayama is the practice of breath control in yoga: the fourth limb of the eightfold yogic path, right after the asanas (postures). Breath control is vital to this practice as 'prana' is the life force energy which flows throughout the body. When we're able to control our breath, we're better able to still the mind. There are a host of benefits of practicing breathwork like relieving stress and anxiety, calming the nervous system, increasing energy and feelings of peace and wellbeing, freeing physical and emotional blocks in the body, establishing a healthy respiratory system, increasing the lung capacity and more. Certain pranayama techniques, like "ujjayi" (victorious breath) are designed to also be implemented during the physical practice, which helps creates a breath to movement flow, keeping you grounded in the present moment. It essentially is the connection between the external and internal yoga practice. Other techniques like "nadi shodhana" (alternate nostril breathing) must be practiced while still.

In addition to the techniques rooted in the yoga practice, you'll also find some breathwork that I have particularly found to be helpful also in calming the mind, learning to breathe slowly and deeply and bringing more oxygen into the body.