tasmin (तस्मिन्, tasmin) = after this; after asana
sati (सति, sati) = being accomplished
shvasa (श्वास, śvāsa) = inhaling
prashvasyoh (प्रश्वास्योः, praśvāsyoḥ) = (from prashvasa (प्रश्वास, praśvāsa)) exhaling
gati (गति, gati) = movement
vichchhedah (विच्छेदः, vicchedaḥ) = (nom from vichchheda (विच्छेद, viccheda)) interruption; braking; ceasing; mastering
prana (प्राण, prāṇa) = life force; life energy
yama (याम, yāma) = bind; regulate
ayama (आयाम, āyāma) = release; liberate
pranayamah (प्राणायामः, prāṇāyāmaḥ) = (nom. from pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma)) harmony with life energy; yoga breathing excercises

pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma)

Translating prana (प्राणा, prāṇā) as “energy,” yama (याम, yāma) as “control” and ayama (अयाम, ayāma) as “freedom” makes it clear that pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) entails (a) working on your energy (as indicated by the pun yama (याम, yāma), ayama (अयाम, ayāma)); and (b) controlling and freeing up energy. Thus pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) brings you into harmony with your own energy. Working on your energetic body is the logical outgrowth of working on your body. My students often ask me when they will be ready for pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma). My own teacher, Pattabhi Jois, used to reflexively answer this question as follows:

"Once a state of asna (आस्न, āsna) has been attained, then pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) begins"
"Asana (आसन, Āsana) perfection; pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) starting".

Many of my pupils find this response perplexing at the semantic level. In point of fact, pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) is a direct outgrowth of the practice of asana vinyasa (आसनविन्यास, āsana-vinyāsa). The initial stages of your yoga practice center around your body in that you experience your muscles, joints, and bones and work on your outer form. Through regular practice, you attain harmony with your physical body, and in so doing you find an skt~aasana~~ practice that suits you. You then realize that this practice has not only changed your physical body, but has also wrought numerous profound internal changes as well. You will notice how energy moves and flows within you and are now on the threshold of pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma). Suddenly your breathing will become the focus of your yoga practice, since for the yogi, breathing is the connecting link between the physical and energetic worlds. Harmony with your breathing will bring you into harmony with your energy.
In ashta“nga yoga (अष्टा“न्ग योग, aṣṭā“nga yoga), pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) is ingeniously interwoven with Asana (आसन, Āsana) work, in a process known as asana vinyasa, (आसनविन्यास,, āsana-vinyāsa,) which is also good for your overall health. Most people lead sedendatry lives, but exercise is essential for physical and mental health. It therefore makes sense to combine spiritual practice with dynamic movements, particularly in today’s hectic world. Yoga is a practice that is beneficial for your physical and spiritual well being.
Ashtanga yoga (अष्टाङ्ग योग, Aṣṭāṅga yoga) also offers a number of special pranayama (प्राणायाम, prāṇāyāma) techniques for particularly dedicated yogis. These techniques are realized in a sitting position, as well as for asana vinyasa (आसनविन्यास, āsana-vinyāsa) practice, and should thus be carried out solely by aspirants who do yoga more than two hours daily.