Pranayama: control of vital energy (Bhagavad Gita)
Others absorbed in the practices of controlling Pranayama, sacrifice the external to the internal (Dhyana Yoga)
Dhyana Yoga Course (Meditation)
The objective of Pranayama is to control Prana, the life force of every being.
In both the Bhagavad Gita and the philosophy of Yoga, Pranayama refers to the control of vital energy (Puraka, Rechaka and Kumbhaka), it is defined in Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga of Knowledge and Renunciation of Action.
Sri Krishna to Arjuna:
“Others absorbed in the practices of controlling life energy, Pranayama,
sacrifice the external to the internal and the internal to the external, or
control the flow of this internal and external vital energy” Bhagavad Gita 4.29.
“Such an ascetic is always free. After sealing the external sensory contacts, she sits with her gaze fixed between her eyebrows, breathing through her nostrils, equally exhaling and inhaling; keeping her senses, her mind and her reason in check; freeing yourself from desire, fear and anger; and determined to achieve freedom” Bhagavad Gita 5.28 (The Yoga of Renunciation of Action).
Pranayama is also the fourth of the eight limbs of Raja Yoga: Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
“Some Yogis practice inhalation, some practice exhalation and others practice breath retention. This is Pranayama.” Sri Swami Sivananda.
The rest of this summary on “Pranayama in the Bhagavad Gita” is available exclusively to students of the Bhagavad Gita Institute
Pranayama Bhagavad Gita 
Pranayama.
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