What is the difference between yoga, pranayama, and meditation?

Yoga, pranayama, and meditation are practices that each offer unique benefits, but they all contribute to improving your physical and mental well-being.

1. **Yoga**: Yoga is a holistic practice that combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It focuses on improving flexibility, strength, balance, and mental clarity. Yoga helps reduce stress and encourages mindfulness through movement.

2. **Pranayama**: Pranayama refers to controlled breathing techniques that help regulate the flow of breath. It is often practiced alongside yoga, but it can also be done separately. Pranayama helps increase energy, calm the mind, and improve overall lung function, making it a powerful tool for relaxation and focus.

3. **Meditation**: Meditation is a mental practice that focuses on quieting the mind and achieving deep concentration. It can involve focusing on the breath, repeating a mantra, or visualizing peaceful imagery. Meditation helps reduce stress, enhances mental clarity, and promotes emotional well-being.

In summary, yoga is a physical and mental practice, pranayama centers on breath control, and meditation focuses on mental stillness and mindfulness. All three practices work together to promote a healthier mind and body.

Hi Neetu,

Yoga is a way of life . It's not just limited to.one process, yoga means to unite with oneself. To briefly explain " yoga chitta vritti nirodha" means to restrain the vrittis ( modification) of chitt( mental state) .

To achieve that state patanjali has give 8 limb path , 

Yam, - social responsibilities 

Niyam- self discipline 

Asan- yogasans ( physical movements to align our body and prepare it for further processes)

Pranayam- pran is energy that drives our every action,  in Pranayam we work with that force using our breath

Pratyahar 

Dharna

Dhyan- meditation - We work with our mind to watch and control It's thoughts using our willpower.

Samadhi