I believe that it is a mis-conception when someone say that you have to perform asanas prior to Pranayama.

I never perform asanas. I practice Alternet Nostril Breathing and I am loosing weight faster than ever.

Following are two techniques:

Alternate Nostril Breathing

(Anulom Vilom Pranayama with no breath retention) This pranayama (control breathing) is done with alternate breathing from the left and right nostrils for cleansing of Nadis. (energy meridians). Seated in a convenient posture, start off with slow inhalation from the left nostril first by closing the right nostril with the middle of right hand thumb ,and after fully filling the lungs, (not the belly breathing) breathe out slowly from the right nostril by closing the left nostril with the two ( left hand middle and ring) fingers. Now breathe in from the right nostril by closing the left nostril in the above manner and exhale from the left nostril by closing the right nostril with the right thumb. It completes one cycle. Do this for three minutes for two months then gradually increase to 5 minutes.

Do it two hour after eating or drinking. (Do it on empty-stomach) Do not eat for 15 minute after you are done. Better to lie down for five minutes after you are done. If you limit practice to maximum of five minutes, it will be the best.

The very first sign you will experience is lightness in the body and clearer thinking.

The practice of this breathing for a period of three to four months can open up thirty to forty percent of the heart arteries’ blockages. This pranayama alleviates all the diseases of the body, leads to the state of joy, enthusiasm for living , fearlessness, peace of mind and deep meditation.

Benefits:

-Hair will regrow within two months of practice.

-Body will go to it’s ideal weight by itself.

-Face becomes bright and luminous.

-Lost vision will return.

-Removes fear/anxiety of any kind.

- Aligns both hemisphere of the brain for full brain functionality

- Creates a deeper sense of well-being and harmony

- Helps alleviate migraines and headaches and frazzled states of being

- Works great in situations where you find yourself anxious, board and need grounding

-Blockages in the arteries of the heart are removed and the arteries become clean, making circulation unimpeded.

Ujjayi Pranayama

1. You can do this sitting, standing or walking anywhere anytime.

2. Inhale slowly through both nostrils, keeping the throat slightly constricted so as to make a gentle sound that will help you to feel the breath in the throat. The sound will remind you of ocean waves washing up the beach. Concentrate on the feeling of the breath moving in and out through the throat.

3. During inhalation do not allow abdomen to bulge out, let the chest expand.

4. After completing inhalation slowly exhale. (Either by both nostrils or by left nostril) During exhalation chest should go inside and abdomen should remain steady.

Remember :-

1. While doing Ujjiayi air should touch the throat.

2. Breath must be mentally locked in chest area. (Do not do belly breathing)

3. After practicing it for few days, knowing your limitations, keep the ratio between inhalation and exhalation 1 : 2.

4. In easy Ujjiayi Pranayama, inhalation and exhalation can be practiced by both the nostrils.

Benefits:

This simple practice has a subtle influence on the whole body. It calms the mind and has a soothing effect on the nervous system. Ujjayi is very useful for people with high blood pressure as it slows down the heartbeat. It has subtle effects on the flow of life force in the astral (energy) body and helps you to be aware of its movement within the sushumna (astral spine).
Rating: 1 / 5

Even though this book forms the basis for one of the foundations of yoga. I hate this book because the information in it is outdated and the pictures of the the demonstrated poses are ugly to look at. It’s an old paperback book with ugly looking pictures. There are much better yoga books written for example by Rodney Lee, and current authors who paint a much lighter view of yoga that is easy to follow and easy to learn.

Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga…
Rating: 1 / 5

Light on Yoga is also light on interest. I ordered this book and The Yoga Bible. I am using the Yoga Bible and think it is very well put together and easy to use. Photography is also very good. Light on Yoga is just not put together in a user friendly manner.
Rating: 1 / 5