HYP 2.1

Once the posture is firm, the yogi — self-controlled and eating wholesome food in moderation — should practise breath regulation as taught by a teacher.

Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 21 September 2026

Sanskrit, in transliteration

athāsane dṛḍhe yogī vaśī hita-mitāśanaḥ / gurūpadiṣṭa-mārgeṇa prāṇāyāmān samabhyaset

Our own plain rendering, checked against the standard published translations.

What the verse says

Four conditions before breath work: a firm seat, self-restraint, moderate wholesome eating, and instruction. The text is unusually explicit that this stage is not for self-teaching.

In practice

This verse is the main classical support for the way we frame our food and breathing pages: eat lightly and leave a gap before practice, and learn retention with a teacher.

This verse sits in Hatha Yoga Pradipika, chapter 2 — read our commentary on the whole chapter.