Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga and is translated as control of one’s life force or simply breath control. With this said it may be guessed that Pranayama is a complex and important aspect of yoga. Many teachers of classical yoga suggest that Pranayama should only be practiced with an accomplished guide, however in our modern world this is often difficult to do.
The benefits of Pranayama or of simply breathing in a conscious breath are instant, yet when Pranayama is practiced over a long period of time with great attention and focus then the real harvest begins. Through adopting a daily Pranayama practice you will be able to notice a significant change in your breathing pattern, length and depth. I would highly suggest staying with one type of Pranayama for at least a month, until you feel confident with your technique and you have developed a natural rhythm in this new habit.