Bhastrika Pranayama for Warmth

In Sanskrit Bhastrika means bellows. As a blacksmith blows his bellows rapidly, similarly you should move your breath rapidly. Therefore  this pranayama is also known as bellows breath.

Preparation

Read general guidelines for pranayama before starting this pranayama.

• Sit on your favourite Asana (Padma asana, Vajra asana or Sukh asana) in a well ventilated room free from any distractions. Keep the waist, back, neck and spine erect. For the beginners, you can sit on a chair or sit cross legged on the yoga mat/ carpet keeping your back, neck and spine erect. Do not tax your body. Any time you feel discomfort, discontinue and take rest.

Steps For Bhastrika Pranayama

• Inhale and exhale quickly twenty times like the bellows of the blacksmith. While inhaling and exhaling a hissing sound is produced. You should start with rapid expulsions of breath following one another in rapid succession.
• When the required number of expulsions, say ten for a round, is finished, the final expulsion is followed by a deepest possible inhalation.
• The breath is suspended as long as it could be done with comfort.
• Then deepest possible exhalation is done very slowly. The end of this deep exhalation completes one set of this pranayama.
• Rest a while after one set by taking a few normal breaths. Do three sets daily in the morning.

Benefits

• Relieves inflammation of the throat, increases gastric fire, destroys phlegm, removes diseases of the nose.
• Cures asthma.
• It gives warmth to the body.
• It gives good appetite.
• Cures obesity and arthritis.

Caution

• This pranayama is prohibited for heart patients and people with high blood pressure.
• If you experience any giddiness, stop the practice, take rest and do normal breathing.
• This pranayama can be done both in the morning and evening in winter. In  summer, do it in the morning only.

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