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What are the differences amongst the various breathing apps?
What is the difference between the website and iPhone versions of Pranayama?
Why can't I choose my own music in Pranayama?
I don't understand the Breathing Ratios. What do they mean?
What is a count? It's not accurate! It doesn't equal one second! What's going on?
What is the difference between the Lite and Full version of Pranayama on the iPhone?
Why isn't the sound working on my iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch?
Why don't some of the graphics show up when I use "Universal Breathing – Pranayama"?
How do I fix a glitch in the app?
How do I update the Pranayama app for my Mac?
How do I change the resolution (screen size) of Pranayama on my Mac?
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The website version of Pranayama can be used on your PC's browser, and it is accessed by signing up for our website membership. The iPhone version of Pranayama is a separate application that must be purchased through Apple's iTunes store. Saagara is hard at work developing our Community and Health Hub, which will allow you to sync your app usage between the iPhone and the Website.
Our primary goal with the Pranayama application was to make the health benefits of slow breathing easily accessible to the general population by using music to help train and condition people. Thus the music is structured by:
Allowing custom music to be played may impair the functioning of points 1 and 2 above, but we understand the desire for people to want to play their own music. We are still trying to explore a method to efficiently allow this, such as having a metronome/chimes to help separate inhale/retain/exhale/retain stages on top of any custom music. We are still have not reached a consensus on this benefits/desire for customization vs. the Loss of Functionality/Usefulness of our training program.
The breathing ratios (or patterns) indicate the relative length of inhaling vs. exhaling. A ratio of 1:2 means you exhale twice as long as you inhale. The counts indicate how long each phase lasts. A count of 2 for a 1:2 ratio means you inhale for two counts, and exhale for four counts.
The more advanced ratios add a period of holding your breath to the breathing exercise. So the 1:1:2 at a count of 2 would mean you inhale for 2 counts, hold your breath for two counts, and then exhale for 4 counts. For the four stage ratios, there is simply another retention (holding your breath) added after the exhale. So for 1:3:2:1 at a count of 2 you'd inhale for 2, hold for 6, exhale for 4, and hold again for 2.
Our Pranayama application does not use seconds for the exercise. We use "counts", where 1 count = 1.25 seconds, reflecting the natural duration of a heartbeat. Also, there is a 0.5 second pause between each phase, making the transition from inhalation to exhalation easier, as an abrupt switch was deemed unnatural during testing.
It is very important in your practice of Pranayama that you follow a structured, progressive course, and do not overextend your body at any point. Our structured course of breathing patterns is ideally suited for this purpose, but we understand that some people would like a little flexibility, and therefore we introduced the custom option, available in the full version of Pranayama.
The custom button is located in the top right corner of the exercise screen. On the custom screen, you can choose your own breathing patterns. By choosing your preferred breathing pattern and then altering the count, you can customize the resulting breaths per minute. The custom section also allows you to string together several breathing patterns into a single session. This means you can fully customize your Pranayama exercise based on your preferences; if you'd like to start off with an easier ratio and move on to a more difficult setting, you can do so automatically in the custom section.
Universal Breathing Pranayama was released much more recently, hence the smaller user base and less app reviews. When it was developed we intended it to be an update to our older app Health through Breath – Pranayama, since it has…
To add all these extra features we completely remade the app using a game engine, but we soon realized that older iOS devices could not run the app. For Universal Breathing Pranayama to function optimally, you need at least an iPhone 4, iPad, or 4th gen iPod Touch. Since a lot of our existing user base for Health through Breath Pranayama had older devices, they would have been left with a non functioning app had we simply updated the app. We do occasionally have promotions to make the app free so that users of Health through Breath can upgrade without paying again. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to find out when we have promotions.
In order for your device to run Universal Breathing – Pranayama it needs to have a newer graphics card. Devices that can support the app with no problem include
If you are unsure whether or not your device can support "Universal Breathing – Pranayama", download the free version first and test it out. If all the graphics work seamlessly and there is no freezing or crashing of the app, your device will be able to support the full version.
The full version of Pranayama for the iPhone is offers the entire structured course of breathing patterns. It allows you to progress through the entire course of Pranayama, including all of the advanced breathing patterns. The Lite version of the iPhone app has ONLY the beginner ratios, so that you can try out the course and see if it appeals to you.
The Full version also has a custom option that lets you choose your own breathing patterns. By choosing your preferred breathing pattern and altering the count, you can customize the breaths per minute. The custom section also allows you to string together several breathing patterns in a single session. This means you can fully customize your Pranayama exercise based on your preferences; if you'd like to start off with an easier ratio and move on to a more difficult setting, you can do so automatically in the custom section.
There is a "Side switch" on the side of Apple devices above the volume button, you will find it is in the locked position which means it is set to mute, unlock it and the app should work normally. Even in the mute position music songs, YouTube will still have sound but certain apps (mostly games) will not, it depends on how they generate the sound, and you will hear all sounds if you use headphones.
We recommend that iPad users switch the "Use Side Switch to" to "Lock orientation" rather than "mute" in the General settings of the iPad.
It's most likely that your device does not have a graphics card that supports the app. You will have to use "Health through Breath – Pranayama" instead, at least until you upgrade your device.
Please read the answer for "What's the difference between 'Health through Breath – Pranayama' and 'Universal Breathing – Pranayama'?" for a more detailed explanation, and a list of devices that support "Universal Breathing – Pranayama".
Generally the first thing we suggest is that you delete/uninstall the app from your device and reinstall it. As long as you use the same account that you used to purchase the app you will not be charged for the second installation. If this does not work, you may need to reset your device. Also, having too many apps running in the background may interfere will the app's ability to function. Close the apps you don't need open in order to free up some memory. If the app still does not work, please send us an e-mail for more personalized support. Don't forget to include which app you are using, which device it is running on, and what operation system you have.
Some users have had difficulty updating the "Pranayama free" app because the name of the project was accidentally changed a couple of updates ago. By the time we realized the issue the number of users who downloaded the app with new project name exceeded the number of existing users who couldn't update, so all our updates since have been with the new project name. So people who downloaded the app prior to 2 updates ago needed to uninstall the existing app, and then download the new version as the "Pranayama Free" app would not update due to the change in project name.
In order to update the app you have to uninstall the existing app from your computer
You may sometimes need to replace the icon in your dock again, this simply done by dragging the Pranayama icon from the applications folder to the dock after reinstalling.
Open the app by pressing the option button and icon. This will give you the option of selecting which resolution you want to run the app at. If you don't check the windowed box, the app will open in fullscreen mode.
