We must spend some time every day in prayer and/or idol worship, etc. to quieten and channelize the senses. Otherwise, it is difficult to withdraw the senses inward. Our subtle body comprises our senses and our mind. Just like idol worship and prayers, Pranayama and Pratyahara also help us to purify and nourish our subtle body with Sattva guna. This subtle body is not mortal and travels with us to our next lives.
From a practical viewpoint, complete and mindful breathing, along with engaging of the senses, will have a positive impact on the stomach, glandular body, physiological body and overall good health. The only prerequisite is consistency, which will become the foundation for Dharna and Dhyana. It is stressed that during asana practice, care should be taken to perform the movements and poses in a mindful manner, and the same principles are applied while doing Pranayama. Practising Pranayama offers innumerable benefits – physical as well as mental, short-term as well as long-term.