Bhastrika - “Bellows Breath”

This is an advanced pranayama, please read precautions before practicing.

Begin with a short set of 10 and build up to 30

Practicing three sets of each.

Bhastrika is also known as the “Winter's” breath as it stokes the inner fire of your being, which is located in the abdomen. It is very heating and activating, good to do in the morning time to stimulate digestive fires. In Bhastrika the inhalation and exhalation are both forced. There are variations of the breath, one is focused in the rib cage (more advanced) and one is practiced in the belly.

In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Bhastrika is the fast track to rising of Kundalini energy. This breathing technique powerfully influences the nervous system and brain. With regular practice it can completely alter habitual neuronal firing patterns in the brain, particularly in the regions of the reticular activating system and hypothalamus. (RAS is a network of neurons located in the brain stem that project anteriorly to the hypothalamus to mediate behavior). It thereby modifies the basic and deep-rooted emotional responses of the personality, of which fear and death is primal.

Benefits:

- Strengthens your lungs;

- Helps in allergies, Asthma, respiratory diseases, tonsil and thyroid;

- Heats the body to remove physical and mental discomforts;

- Improves the immune system; and

- Calms the mind

Precautions:

- This is an advanced Pranayama, if you are a beginner, best to practice under a teacher's guidance, or build up to it with Kapalbhati first slow and steady. Then into Anuloma Viloma, understanding the Nadis and Kumbhakas.

- Do not practice Bhastrika if you’re pregnant, have uncontrolled hypertension, epilepsy, seizures, or panic disorder;

- High blood pressure or cardiac problems; and

Avoid practicing bellows breath on a full stomach, wait at least two hours after eating.