According Gheranda Samhita about Yoga. article
The Gheranda Samhita is a classical text on Hatha Yoga, which is believed to have been composed in India around the 17th century. It is one of the three major texts on Hatha Yoga, along with the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita. The Gheranda Samhita describes various techniques of Hatha Yoga, including asanas (physical postures), mudras (gestures), bandhas (locks), and pranayama (breathing exercises). The Gheranda Samhita describes a total of 8 pranayama techniques. These techniques are designed to control the flow of prana, or life force energy, in the body, and are said to have a wide range of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Each of these pranayama techniques is described in detail in the text, along with their benefits and precautions. Yoga is a term used to describe a set of practices that originated in ancient India. These practices are designed to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being. The word "yoga" is derived fro...