Basic Benefits of Pranayama

Traditional Uses for Pranayama:

1. Bhastrika

Sanskrit word Bhastrika means bellows. This breathing exercise resembles the blowing of bellows. Bhastrika is the excellent breathing exercise which we can practice slowly or fast as per our convenience. A person who is suffering from a Heart problem and Lung problems should practice slowly or slowly increase the speed of breathing.

Bhastrika Pranayama should practice normally 3-5 minutes twice a day in the fresh air. In this pranayama, the body gets the maximum amount of oxygen due to complete inhaling and exhaling breathing.

Steps for Bhastrika Pranayama

·     Sit comfortably on the flat ground. Those who can’t sit on the ground can sit on a chair because this pranayama is related to the breath.

·     Take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs with air and then exhale with a hissing sound.

·     Inhale deeply and exhale completely.

·     Do this for 2 min to 5 minutes max and see the result in a few days.

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama

·     It improves blood circulation.

·     Keep away the heart-related problems.

·     Provide relaxation for body and mind.

·     Improves your concentration.

·     Helps to stronger the lungs.

·     Relive stress depression and hypertension.

·     Cures obesity and arthritis.

·     Calms the mind.

·     Cures throat infection.

·     Increases appetite.

·     Cure asthma, headache, migraine, neurological problems, depression, gastric problems.

Precaution

This pranayama can be done slowly, medium and fast. 

·     Those suffering from lungs and heart problems and high blood pressure can perform slowly. Practice under expert guidance.

Bhastrika basically generates heat in the body hence it is one of the effective breathing exercises for those people who have Kapha body type. 

·     Those people who are suffering from an increase in heat in the body should avoid or decrease the duration of doing Bhastrika.

·     Keep in mind high blood pressure patients should exhale through the mouth instead of the nose. It will keep you away from taking BP control medicines forever. 

2. Kapalbhati pranayama 

Kapalbhati pranayama is very effective in 

·     curing stomach disorder, 

·     obesity, 

·     digestive disorder and many problems related to stomach. 

·     Those trying to lose weight can practice Kapalbhati regularly and see 100% results. let’s see its benefits and how to do Kapalbhati Pranayama.

Steps for Kapalbhati Pranayama

·     Sit on the flat floor and fold your legs. keep the spine straight and close the eyes.

·     Keep the right palm on right knee and left palm on left knee.

·     Now take a deep breath and exhale with all your force so your stomach will go deep inside.

·     When you exhale with hissing sound try to think that your disorders are coming out of your nose.

·     Do not stress on inhaling. Inhalation should not involve any effort. Inhaling will be done automatically after each exhaling.

·     Repeat these steps for 5 minutes and take rest. You can increase the time for 15 – 30 minutes.

·     The speed of practice should be medium.

Benefits of Kapalbhati Pranayama

·     It improves the function of the lungs and the respiratory system.

·     Improves the function of the reproductive system. Cures erectile dysfunction naturally.

·     Improves the function of the pancreas. Helps to produce insulin hormone naturally.

·     It removes toxins from the body and helps to clean the internal system.

·     Calms the mind and bring stability to mind.

·     Very effective in weight loss.

·     Cures breast cancer.

·     Helpful in reducing weight (Belly fat).

·     Keeps depression away and brings positive thoughts.

·     Helpful in curing respiratory diseases as asthma, allergies, and sinus.

·     A cure for constipation, acidity, diabetes, asthma and all kinds of respiratory troubles, sinus and even hair loss.

·     Cures kidney problems and lower down the high creatinine level.

·     Improve the function of kidneys.

Your Questions

1.  What is the Maximum Time for Kapalbhati Pranayama? 

Ans – Kapalbhati Pranayama should be done slowly in the beginning for 1 minute if you are fresher. But after a good practice, you can practice it for 10 mins – 45 minutes as per your stamina.

2. Can Kapalbhati be Done During Periods?

Ans – No

Precautions

·     Those are heart patient should do this slowly while exhaling. You can do Kapalbhati pranayama in morning or evening both the time, but keep in mind that you should do this on empty stomach.

·     Pregnant women should not do this.

·     High blood pressure patient should practice Kapalbhati at a slow rate. Means 3 exhalations per 5 seconds and force of exhalation should be reduced.

·     Practice pranayama under the supervision of an expert yoga teacher after informing about your whole health.

·     Those women’s, feel comfortable practicing pranayama during periods, can go ahead otherwise avoid it.

3. Bahya Pranayama 

In this pranayama, the breath is kept outside during the practice so it is called Bahya Pranayama. Bahya means “outside”.  It should be done after Kapalbhati pranayama.

Steps for Bahya Pranayama

·     Sit in the pose of Padmasana or Siddhasana.

·     Take a deep breath and exhale completely (breath out) to evacuate lungs as much as possible.

·     Hold your breath and touch your chin to the chest is called (Jalandhar Bandha or Throat lock). By pulling your stomach in and up under the rib cage such that the stomach and back seem to touch each other from inside. It is called (Uddiyana Bandha). Lift the muscle from groin area is called (Mulabandha or Root lock).

·     Hold this three bandhas for some time as much you can 10-15 seconds then breathe in deeply to release these three locks.

·     Repeat Bahya pranayama for 2-5 minutes daily.

Benefits of Bahya pranayama

·     Constipation, Acidity, Gastric problem, Hernia cure completely.

·     Cures problems related prostate.

·     Cures problems related reproductive organs.

·     It is beneficial in diabetes also.

·     Urine and sperm-related problems get cure completely.

Precautions

·     Pranayama should be done on empty stomach having a gap of 5 hours between practice and your meal.

·     Those suffering from a heart problem, blood pressure, and cervical colitis should not practice. They can control this by practicing other asana and pranayama. Practice under expert guidance.

·     Women should not practice Bahya pranayama during a period.

4. Anulom Vilom Pranayama 

It is very effective to purify mind and body. Anulom Vilom pranayama is one of the excellent breathing exercises which is also known as Nadi Shodhana. Regular practice offers energy to the body and releases stress and anxiety. It should be practiced in the morning in the fresh air with an empty stomach.

Steps for Anulom Vilom Pranayama

It is very simple asana that everyone can do this at any age.

·     Sit comfortably on the flat ground. Those who can’t sit can sit on a chair because this is related to the breath.

·     Now close the right nostril with right thumb and breathe from left nostril. Then close left nostril with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nostril.

·     Now breathe in deeply with right nostril and then close the right nostril and breathe out deeply through the left nostril. Do the repetition.

·     Do this for 5-10 minutes.

·     Keep in mind that your breathing should be up to the lungs and not in the stomach.

Benefits of Pranayama Anulom Vilom

·     It improves blood circulation.

·     It calms your mind.

·     Keep away the heart-related problems

·     Provide relaxation for body and mind.

·     Regular practice of Anulom Vilom breathing exercise cleanses, strengthens and tones your nervous system.

·     It improves your concentration.

·     Excellent for glowing skin.

·     Helps to improve the function of your lungs.

·     Helps to prevent diabetes and keeps diabetes under control.

·     Remove blockage of arteries.

·     Relive stress depression and hypertension.

·     Cure Asthma, headache, migraine, Neurological problems, Heart blockage, depression, gastric problems.

Precaution

·     Practice under expert guidance. Pregnant women should practice Anulom Vilom but over straining should be avoided.

·     Anulom vilom pranayama should be practiced on an empty stomach.

·     It should be done in the morning or evening or both. If you don’t have time in the morning or evening, you can do it at your convenience.

·     Make sure that you practice Anulom vilom pranayama 4-5 hours after having your food.

5. Bhramari Pranayama

Bhramari pranayama is the excellent breathing exercise which plays an important role in releasing agitation, frustration, and anger. It is the best breathing exercise in calming your mind. ‘Bhramari ‘is the type of ‘Indian bee’ and ‘pranayama ‘means breathing. So it is called as Bhramari Pranayama. In this type of pranayama when we exhale making a humming sound. It resembles the typical humming sound of bees. So you can understand why this breathing exercise is called as Bhramari Pranayama. Let’s see steps and benefits of pranayama as follows.

Steps for Bhramari Pranayama (Humming Bee Breath)

·     Sit straight in the Padmasana or Sukhasana and press your tragus with your thumb.

·     Place your index fingers on the forehead and with the remaining fingers close your eyes.

·     Start inhaling through both the nostril deeply and slowly.

·     By keeping mouth closed, exhale by making a humming sound bee like “hmmm”. While making humming sound say ‘Om’ in soft humming sound.

·     Feel your body releases impurity from your body and experiencing positive energy.

·     Duration

·     Practice daily for 3 to 5 minutes.

Benefits of Bhramari Pranayama (Humming Bee Breath)

·     It relieves tension, anger, and anxiety.

·     Effective against hypertension.

·     Cures sinus problem.

·     Bhramari Pranayama controls the high blood pressure and cures it.

·     Helps to stay calm and bring stability to mind.

·     Cures the problems related to nervous system.

·     During pregnancy, it is very helpful for pregnant women for easy and trouble-free childbirth.

Precaution

·     It should be practice under expert guidance.

·     People having heart disease should not hold their breath for a long time.

·     Pranayama should be done on empty stomach.

·     If you feel dizzy while practicing, stop the exercise and start normal breathing.

·     Consult a doctor if you are suffering from an ear problem or and medical ailments before doing Bhramari Pranayama.

·     Should maintain a gap of 5 hours between your meal or lunch.

·     Better to practice in the morning in the fresh air.

6. Udgeeth pranayama 

It is known as “Omkari Japa” means chanting of “Om”. Udgeeth pranayama is the simple breathing exercise. Should be practiced on a daily basis like other 6 recommended pranayama.

Steps of Udgeeth Pranayama

·     Sit in a suitably relaxed posture.

·     In this pranayama, the inhaling and exhaling duration should be long.

·     Inhale deeply and while exhaling chant Ommmmmmmmm for a long time as much you can.

·     In all pranayama, the breath plays an important role. So concentrate on your breath and feel a positive energy comes when you inhale and negative energy goes out while exhaling.

·     Repeat this for 5-10 minutes.

Benefits of Udgeeth Pranayama

·     It calms the mind and brings stability.

·     It relieves tension, anger, and anxiety.

·     Excellent breathing exercises for meditation.

·     Effective against hypertension.

·     It cures problems related to sleep (Insomnia) and bad dreams.

·     Control the high blood pressure and cure it.

·     Cures the problems related to the nervous system.

·     Cures acidity.

·     Improve memory power.

Precaution

·     Should be practiced under expert guidance.

·     In this pranayama, the inhaling and exhaling duration should be long.

·     Should practice pranayama on an empty stomach.

·     Having gap of 5 hours between yoga practice and your meal.

·     Better to practice in the morning in the fresh air.

·     Anyone can practice Udgeeth Pranayama including children of old age. You can practice this any time whenever you feel stress.

7. Pranav pranayama 

This is the last seventh pranayama. After practicing all six pranayama concentrate your mind on inhaling and exhaling for some time this is called Pranav pranayama. This is very simple breathing exercise. This is one type of meditation you can say.

Steps for Pranav Pranayama

·     Sit in Padmasana, Sukhasana or Vajrasana quietly.

·     Breathe normally and concentrate your mind on inhaling and exhaling.

·     While practicing Pranav pranayama imagine that God is everywhere in every particle.

·     Practice for 3 minutes to 1 hour as per your available time.

Benefits of Pranav Pranayama

·     It gives physical and spiritual energy.

·     Gives relief from mental stress and overcomes the physical disorders.

·     Gives good health.

·     Strengthen the mind.

·     Meditation.

·     Increases concentration.

·     Helps in spiritual development and widen our perspective.

·     This is the simplest breathing exercise and all people of any age can practice.

Precaution

·     Pranayama should be practiced early in the morning on an empty stomach.

·     Pranayama should be practiced in the fresh air.

·     Pranayama should be practiced under expert guidance.