There are six types of pranayama classified on the effects/methods of their practice:
- Purifying pranayama
- Stimulating pranayama
- Cooling pranayama
- Harmonizing pranayama
- Regenerating pranayama
- Binding Pranayama
1. Purifying pranayama - purifies the subtle channels of our pranic body - called naadis. Under this category, there are four pranayama - Anunasika - Nasal Cleansing, Suryabhedana, Naadhi Shuddhi and Svana (Dog Breathing)
2. Stimulating pranayama - stimulates our body and energizes the body. Under this category, Kapalbhati and Ujjayi and Bhastrika pranayama are included.
3.Cooling pranayama - cools down the body and mind. This category includes Chandra Bhedana, Sheetali, Sheetkari, Sadhanta, Dhouti pranayama.
4. Harmonizing pranayama - Removes the fatigue and clears the mind. This category includes Savitri - rhythmic breathing, sukha pranayama, sectional breathing.
5.Regenerating pranayama - Activates the nervous system. This category consists of Pranav-cosmic breathing and Naga-serpent breathing
6.Binding Pranayama - There is binding of ratio of inhalation, exhlaation and retention of breath in certain ratios. Anuloma-Viloma pranayama is included in this category.
Different hatha yoga texts have classified in the following ways:
1. Hatha Yoga Pradipika calls pranayama by the name of kumbhakas which are of eight kinds, viz., Surya Bhedan, Ujjayi, Sitkari, Sitali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murchha, and Plavini.
2. Gherand Samhita also calls pranayama by the name of Kumbhakas which are of eight types - Sahita, Surya-bheda, Ujjayi, Sitali, Bhastrika, Bhramari, Murchha, and Kevali.
There are six pranayamas that are common in both the hatha yoga texts and are written above as bold.
