Bahya

Exterior, external, outside. In pranayama, bahya designates the external phase — retention after exhalation (bahya kumbhaka). It is the suspension of breath with lungs empty.

Antara (internal) and bahya (external) are the two dimensions of kumbhaka. Alternating practice of both retentions purifies the nadis and prepares for kevala kumbhaka, spontaneous suspension.