Yoga Breath

Prāṇa and Prāṇāyāma in Early Modern Yoga

By (author) Magdalena Kraler

Book cover: Yoga Breath

Extent: 447 pages

Publisher: V&R unipress

Subjects: Asian/Pacific Studies & Religions, Philosophy, Religious Studies

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(April 2025)

ISBN: 9783847117469

6.3 x 9.33 inches

Price: $88.00

In stock

Rewriting the History of Modern Yoga: Exploring Modern Prāṇa and Prāṇāyāma in Depth


A central practice to both premodern and modern yoga, pranayama (lit. “breath control”) is practised in yoga classes worldwide. Just like pranayama, the notion of prana (lit. “breath”, “vitality”) has a longstanding history in South Asia. From 1850 onwards, prana and pranayama are reinterpreted in light of the Hindu reform, nineteenth-century occultism, science, medicine, and hygiene. Transnational players of modern yoga and physical culture shape the history of the practices. Prana and pranayama are crucial ingredients for understanding modern yoga’s praxeological, philosophical, political, and religious thrust. This book provides deep insights into the various practices, functions, and interpretations of prana and pranayama, and their overall impact and dissemination.

  • By (author) Magdalena Kraler