Kumbhaka

Breath retention, the central phase of prāṇāyāma. Kumbha means “vessel” — the body fills with air like a vessel.

Two main types:

• Sahita kumbhaka: Retention combined with inhalation (pūraka) and exhalation (recaka). Practiced deliberately.
• Kevala kumbhaka: Absolute, spontaneous retention, without effort. Occurs when prāṇa enters suṣumṇā.

Two varieties of sahita:

• Antara kumbhaka: Retention after inhaling (lungs full)
• Bāhya kumbhaka: Retention after exhaling (lungs empty)

The HYP enumerates eight main kumbhakas: Sūrya Bhedana, Ujjāyī, Sītkārī, Śītalī, Bhastrikā, Bhrāmarī, Mūrcchā, Plāvinī.