Pranayama roughly translates from Sanskrit as "extension of prana (breath/life force)". The word "pranayama" is composed of three Sanskrit words - "pra", which means first, "na", which means unit of energy, and "yama", which means guided expansion. It is the practice of guiding and giving direction to the life force energy, the source of our prana, or vital life force. Prana is often assumed to refer just to breath, but its implications are much more grand. Prana is any source of energy, of giving life force. It is life giving, refreshing, and energy producing. Even though in a pranayama practice we are manipulating and guiding the breath, it is a practice that reaches far beyond our lungs. We are utilizing our breath as a tool to balance our energies, uplift our spirits, and improve our entire being, our entire cosmic energy. Pranayama is also what makes a yoga practice (specifically an asana practice) unique when compared to any other other movement based activity. The integration of breathwork makes an asana practice far more dynamic and beneficial than simply moving the body. The body is a sponge for prana and pranayama allows the body to easily soak up and hold onto prana.The benefits of pranayama are numerous, when practiced alone or in conjunction with a meditation or asana practice.