The word ‘Prana’ in Pranayam means energy of life-that vital energy which we draw into ourselves from the surrounding universe every moment.Since this energy is obtained primarily by breathing,it may be translated as breath in this particular context.But the word ‘Prana’ has much broader reference for all the powers of the body & all functions of the senses & mind are regarded as expression of the force of Prana.
The importance of Prana is also found in Upanishads.The five elements-earth,water,fire,ether ,air together make the human body gifting us these powerful senses.Once these senses made a boastful assertion-“We hold the body together & support it ” where upon Prana,the primal enenergy,supreme over all of them said, “Do not deceive yourselves.It is I alone, dividing myself five-fold to hold this body together & support it.”But they would not believe him.Prana to justify himself made as if he intended to leave the body.But as he rose & appeared to be going,all the rest soon realized that if he went,they would also have to depart with him.And as the Prana seated himself,the rest found their respective places again.
The symbol of Kundalini awakening is like the rise of a serpent
There is a certain real power coiled up in every being.A huge reserve of spiritual energy is situated at the base of Spine known as Kundalini.The object of Pranayam is to arouse Kundalini & there by control the Prana by regular practice of several breathing exercises. When the Kundalini is aroused it is said to travel up through 6 centres of consciousness,reaching the seventh at the center of the brain.As it reaches the higher centers,it produces various degrees of Enlightenment.
Universe is just a Thought ! 
It may be pleasantly coincidental that ‘pranayam’ also means ‘love’ in Sanskrit. As the force that binds the world together, it too draws from ‘praana’. Keep going young man.
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Thank you Raj sir for throwing light on such a beautiful coincidence.
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