Yogendra Pranayama

The traditional pranayama techniques mentioned in Hatha Yoga texts require a specific environment, a different mindset and strict norms of living for gaining success.
Yogendraji had termed prana as bioenergy. Nearly a hundred years ago, he was the first to modify the traditional pranayamas to suit the modern individual, living a full life. On understanding the complexity of these Hatha Yoga texts and the fast- paced life of today, he formulated easy and simple to follow techniques which are called Yogendra Pranayamas and are sequentially numbered from 1 to 9.
Yogendra Pranayama 1 is primarily to develop awareness of breathing and improving vital capacity through equalization of the duration of inhalation and exhalation.
Yogendra Pranayama 2, 3 and 4 are devised to target three groups of respiratory muscles to achieve bionic efficiency in the clavicular, thoracic and abdominal muscles and become aware of the vast coverage of the lung area.
Yogendra Pranayama 5, 6, 7 and 8 are meant for efficient management of the four stages of the respirational cycle: suspension, inhalation, retention and exhalation respectively.
Yogendra Pranayama 9 is to regulate air movement for specific purposes through the use of alternate nostrils while breathing.
These nine Yogendra Pranayamas include the following:
Equalization of breath 
Intercostal breathing 
Clavicular breathing 
Diaphragmatic breathing 
Shunyaka—suspension of breath (post-exhalation) 
Puraka—prolonged inhalation
Kumbhaka—retention of breath
Rechaka—prolonged exhalation
Yogendra Anuloma Viloma—alternate nostril breathing
Yogendraji incorporated into these a system of counts where one count is equal to one second. A breathing pattern with counts for inhalation, retention, exhalation and suspension of breath was formed so that this breathing rhythm could be incorporated into the practice of the asanas too.
Pranayama aids in increasing concentration, promotes steadiness of mind and body and removes impurities, purifying the pathways of energy flows.