The breath cycle (ana) has 4 components (avayava-s):

• pūraka  (inhalation)
• āntara kumbhaka (inner retention)
• recaka (exhalation)
• bahya kumbhaka (outer retention)

In the karaṇa the inner retention (āntara kumbhaka) and outer retention (bahya kumbhaka) are generally minimised up to the extend that are almost imperceptible and counted respectively as one with the inhalation (pūraka) and the exhalation (recaka).