Which is better---pranayam before asanas or after asanas-- in yoga?

Question

because my teacher taught me to do pranayam after asanas. but some teacher say it should be done before asanas in yoga.

Answer 1

It is recommended to have some simple body warm up exercises before Pranayam

Answer 2

Pranayam/pranayama are vital breathing exercises that are just as important, if not more, than the asanas/poses themselves.

When to do them? Before, During and After! Pranayama does not stop with the beginning of asana or the completion. It should help you to focus as much as asana form.

Done before - it gives you strength, focus and centers you to prepare your asana practice

During - helps regulate the energy flow in the body, promotes focus and clarity, helps your stability

After - Centers, calms and relaxes

Obviously, all people are different and that's the same with teachers, even in the same branches of yoga practice. Sometimes to listen to the teacher, you cannot focus on the pranayama during their talk, so you may have to just do as they say during the session, but on your own, do what you feel is best for your training and wellbeing.

Answer 3

Pranayama is done before  during and after asanas.

Answer 4

As far as i know it should be done only after asanas.

Answer 5

Prana=vital energy or life force. Ayama=extension or expansion. Pranayama utilizes breathing to influence the flow of prana in the nadis (energy channels) of the pranamaya kosha (energy body). Realistically, pranayama can be practiced at any time on an empty stomach, especially in the early morning when the mind has few distractions and the body is rested and fresh. Pranayama such as ujjayi can be practiced during  asanas, but for the sake of this discussion formal, concentrated pranayama practice methodology will be discussed.

However, it is my opinion that pranayama has a greater influence on health after an asana practice that has concluded with svasana (corpse pose). An intelligent prescriptive asana practice will stimulate the chakras by allowing pranic energy to flow more freely through the nadis. Therefore the benefits of pranayama will be increased after asana practice,and for this reason is ideal before meditation practice. It can also be stated that after asana the physical body (annamaya kosha) is more relaxed and balanced.

In conclusion, pranayama can, indeed, be practiced at any time on an empty stomach. However, benefits are increased if practiced after asana and before meditation practice, due to its tranquilizing effect, as long as one has taken the time in svasana.  Svasana allows the vata ( air principle=retlessness, movement etc) in the body to dissipate and the energy created by the asanas to be integrated.   It is best to practice pranayama early in the morning, at the same time daily on a regular basis. Pranayama is best practiced in a comfortable, seated meditation posture, with clean nostrils, brushed teeth and a clean and relaxed body. Regular practice of pranayama will improve physical health and mental vitality due to its positive effect on increased oxygen utilization and its positive influence on the pranamaya kosha.