Verse by verse · Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
YS 2.49
With that established, pranayama is the interruption of the flow of inhalation and exhalation.
Written and reviewed by The Kriya Yogi · Updated 21 September 2026
Sanskrit, in transliteration
tasmin sati śvāsa-praśvāsayor gati-vicchedaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ
Our own plain rendering, checked against the standard published translations.
What the verse says
Two things worth noticing. First, breath work comes after a steady seat — "with that established". Second, pranayama is defined as breaking the automatic flow, not as breathing deeply.
In practice
This ordering is the reason we put sitting comfortably before any retention work in our breathing guides.
How it gets misquoted
"Interruption" is sometimes read as forced, lengthy retention from day one. The hatha texts that describe retention in detail also warn repeatedly against forcing it.
This verse sits in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, chapter 2 — read our commentary on the whole chapter.