Bhastrika Pranayama
When we do any physical exercise our body demands more oxygen, which signals the heart to pump faster, thus raising the heartbeat. But did you know that when you do Bhastrika Pranayama, you pump even more quantity of oxygen even without the body not asking for it. Bhastrika Pranayama is the process of rapid inhalation and exhalation which gives a boost to the body and hence is aptly called the yogic breath of fire. So, the next time you feel like your body needs energy, try Bhastrika Pranayama instead.
Steps to do Bhastrika Pranayama
- Sit in vajrasana or sukhasana (cross-legged position).
- (Pranayama can be more effective in vajrasana as your spine is erect and the diaphragmatic movement is better.)
- Makes a fist and fold your arms, placing them near your shoulders.
- Inhale deeply, raise your hands straight up and open your fists.
- Exhale slightly forcefully, bring your arms down next to your shoulders and close your fists.
- Continue for 20 breaths.
- Relax with palms on your thighs.
- Take a few normal breaths.
- Continue for two more rounds.
Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama
- Great for energizing the body and mind.
- Since we maximize our lung capacity while doing it, the pranayama helps remove toxins and impurities.
- It helps in the sinus, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.
- Improved awareness, perceptive power of senses.
- It helps balance doshas.
Contraindications
- Make sure you practice it on an empty stomach.
- Pregnant women should avoid it..
- Do it at your own pace. If you feel dizzy, increase the duration of the breaks.
- If you suffer from hypertension and panic disorders, then do it under the supervision of a teacher.
The Art of Living Meditation and Breath workshop has the perfect combination of asanas, pranayama, and meditation to enhance your well-being. Experience the benefits now.
Based on inputs by Mickey Singh, Faculty, Yoga, The Art of Living.
Find a Sri Sri Yoga program at The Art of Living center near you.
Practicing Yoga helps develop the body and mind, yet is not a substitute for medicine. It is essential to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga only after consulting your doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher.
Write to us at info@srisriyoga.in to receive more information on our programs or to share feedback.
People Frequently ask this about Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika benefits are: Bhastrika produces heat at physical and subtle level. Bhastrika increases gastric fire. So digestion improves. Removes blockages from the nose and chest. So good for sinus, bronchitis, and other respiratory patients. Bhastrika balances doshas.
Bhastrika pranayama steps are: Sit in vajrasana or sukhasana posture (keeping your spine erect. Make fists, fold your arms and place in front of your shoulders. While raising your hands straight up inhale deeply and open fists. Apply a little force on exhalation, bring arms down in front of your shoulders and close fists. Take such 20 breaths. Relax palms on thighs. Inhale normally. Repeat 2 more rounds.
Inhalation for about 4 seconds and deep exhalation for 6 seconds. 20 breaths of bhastrika pranayama in a round. Total 3 rounds of bhastrika.
Bhastrika involves chest engagines lungs with deep inhalation and deep forceful exhalation. Kapalbhati involves stomach with normal automatic inhaltion and forced active exhalation.
Follow the Bhastrika pranayama steps: Sit in vajrasana or sukhasana posture (keeping your spine erect. Make fists, fold your arms and place in front of your shoulders. While raising your hands straight up inhale deeply and open fists. Apply a little force on exhalation, bring arms down in front of your shoulders and close fists. Take such 20 breaths. Relax palms on thighs. Inhale normally. Repeat 2 more rounds.
Yes, surely. Bhastrika pranayama is good for lungs. Increases elastic properties of lungs and chest, hence improving ventilatory functions.
Under normal conditions Bhastrika pranayama relieves stress, so good for heart. Hypertension and heart patients can do it under supervision of a trained teacher.
Bhastrika pranayama is said to brn 1k Cal/2 minutes. It is best to focus on the overall well being from Bhastrika than only calorie burn.
