August 2023 7 Various benefits of Präëäyäma techniques are mentioned in ancient texts. But those benefits may not accrue by the mere knowing or superficial practice of the technique of Präëäyäma. So, it is very essential to know the classical prescriptions with regard to the times/cycles required for the technique to make the intended impact on human physiology and psychology and appropriate times in a day to make a favorable impact. This following verse from Haöhayogapradépikä is quite popular with regard to the number of times in day and the cycles per practice of Präëäyäma. But the Jyotsnä commentary on this brings out some very interesting insights which is discussed in this write up. The Verse àatmR XyiNdne saymxR raÇe c k… MÉkan! , znE rzIitpyR Nt< ctu vaR r< sm_yset!. 11. hQyae gàdIipka 2, 11 Four times a day - In the morning, in the midday, in the evening and the middle of the night - the Kumbhakas (Präëäyäma) have to be slowly practiced till 80 cycles. Yoga Bhäñya Sampat (Insights from Jyotsnä Commentary) Jyotsnä commentary states that two major concepts are discussed in the çloka. Aw àa[ayama_yaskal< tdvix< cah The time of practice during any given day & night and also the extent (cycles/repetitions) of practice is stated. Let us consider the Jyotsnä explanation on these two aspects. 1) The time of Practice during any day (day and night) There are four time periods mentioned in the source text for the practice. They are – Yoga Bhäñya Sampat Series Known Yogic Verse Lesser Known Traditional Insight! – 8 How many times & cycles should we practice Präëäyäma, ideally? Prof. M Jayaraman Dean, Division of Yoga - Spirituality, S-VYASA August 2023 7