The process of pranayama involves systematic and disciplined inspiration and expiration with retention of breath or holding of breath in specific proportion and specific manner The pranyama is divided into mostly eighthut variable number of categories This classification is based on the parts involved and also the manner and intervals in the process of pranayama The effects of pranayama as claimed in various texts have a very wide range.

Pranayama is apparently a bridge between unconscious and superconscious realms of the individual The exact nature of .this bridge or the exact nature of this bridge or the exact natural dimensions of the bridge are not known.

Pranayama which is a seemingly bodily process only, actual influences the reticular formation tremendously besides influencing the autonomic nervous system, most parts of central nervous system, neuroendocrine and endocrine systems, immune system and all the metabolic activities in the body.

Pranayama thus encompasses close to non Irving unconscious phenomena as 111 as 'close to consciousness of cosmic nature or 'close to superLrvmg* super conscious phenomena.

Pranayama probably with varying degree of transformation of an individual practitioner is associated with lmbibahon of pramc energy* The ascent of the practioner probably represents various 1XDKAS' such as swargaloka, vishnuloka etc.

Nothing has been proved as regards SIDDHIS' associated with pranayama Effects so far observed include some neuromuscular and biochemical effects which make a breakthrough in the research in the field and effects of pranayama concepts such as those of kaluza and Clem have to be studied extensively.

This is because concepts of bompacbflcation'as proposed by modem physics, seems to correlate 111 with concepts of kalpa'and kalpanta'also.

The pranayam a is associated with a) rhythmic stimulation of stretch receptors, b) rhythmic stimulation of various centers in brainstem, cj rhythmic stimulation of cortical and sub cortical centers d) rhythmic stimulation of or inhibition of various endocrine and metabolic activities in the body But these effects or mechanisms of effects do not explain or disprove 'SIDDHIS" claimed in pranayama.