Pranayama exercises are targeted breathing techniques and an important part of classic yoga. Regular pranayama has a very intense effect on the body and the autonomic nervous system. Breathing relaxes the mind, muscles and organs and helps to prevent tension in our organism. Prana means breath, breathing, life, energy or strength. Ayama means stretching, length, width, regulation or control. So Pranayama means the expansion of the breath and its mastery and control.