The fifth upadeśa begins: Prāṇāyāma — extension/expansion of prāṇa. It is the heart of haṭha yoga, the primary technique through which vital energy is worked.

“Liberated in life” as a result. Prāṇāyāma, when practiced correctly and with dedication, leads directly to states of liberation.

This chapter is the most extensive after that on mudrās, reflecting the centrality of breath work in classical haṭha yoga.