Sūrya Bhedana, Ujjāyī, Sītkārī, Śītalī, Bhastrikā, Bhrāmarī, Mūrcchā, and Plāvinī — these are the eight kumbhakas.

This verse enumerates the eight main prāṇāyāma techniques according to the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā:

1. Sūrya Bhedana — “Piercing the sun” — inhaling through the right nostril (piṅgalā)
2. Ujjāyī — “Victory” — glottis contraction with soft sound
3. Sītkārī — “Hissing” — inhaling between the teeth
4. Śītalī — “Cooling” — inhaling through the rolled tongue
5. Bhastrikā — “Bellows” — rapid and vigorous breathing
6. Bhrāmarī — “Bee” — exhalation with humming
7. Mūrcchā — “Fainting” — retention until nearly losing consciousness
8. Plāvinī — “Floating” — filling the stomach with air

Note that they are called kumbhakas (retentions) even though they include complete techniques. This reflects that the real goal of prāṇāyāma is kumbhaka — the retention where prāṇa becomes still.

Each technique has specific effects: some heat (sūrya bhedana, bhastrikā), others cool (śītalī, sītkārī), some calm (bhrāmarī, ujjāyī).