Pranayama

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Yoga Exercises > Yoga Breathing - Pranayamas

Pranayama is an aspect of Yoga that deals with breathing. It is the breathing process or the control of the motion of inhalation, exhalation and the retention of vital energy. Proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy.

Agnisara

"Agni" connotes 'fire' in Sanskrit. In this pranayama the internal fire is stirred up, thus increasing the body heat.

Anuloma Viloma - Alternate Nostril Breathing

In this pranayama, you breathe in and out through alternate nostrils. Hence the name.

Bhramari Breathing

"Bhramar" means 'bee' in Sanskrit. In this pranayama a humming sound is produced while breathing just like a bee.

Bhastrika Pranayama - Bellow Breathing 
"Bhastrika" refers to 'bellows' in Sanskrit. Air is drawn in and out of the abdomen just as a blacksmith uses his bellows.

Dirgha Pranayama - Complete Breath

"Dirgha" connotes 'long' in Sanskrit. This pranayama involves a long and deep breath which fills all the three chambers of the lungs.

Kapal Bhati

"Kapal" means 'skull' and "bhati" means 'shine' in Sanskrit. This pranayama cleanses the respiratory system, particularly the nasal passages in the skull.

Moorcha Pranayama

In Sanskrit, "Moorcha" means 'fainting' or 'swooning'. This pranayama involves slow inhalation and retention of air for a long period.

 

Sheetali Breathing

"Sheetal" means 'cool' in Sanskrit. This pranayama has a cool effect on the body by lowering the body temperature.

Sheetkari Breathing 

Sheetkari breathing has a cooling effect on your body.

Surya Bheda

In this pranayama, inhalation is done only through the right nostril.

Ujjayi Breathing

The word "Ujjayi" means 'victorious' in Sanskrit.

Also explore the three important  yoga bandhas
and yoga asanas 

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Kapal Bhati

"Kapal" means 'skull' and "bhati" means 'shine' in Sanskrit. This pranayama cleanses the respiratory system, particularly the nasal passages in the skull.

Sequence:

1. Sit comfortably and firmly in Padmasana.
2. Exhale all the air from your lungs.
3. Inhale and exhale deeply 4-5 times.
4. Relax the abdominal muscles.
5. Take a shallow breath.
6. Expel air forcefully through both nostrils.
7. As you breathe out make a hissing sound.
8. Simultaneously, contract the abdominal muscles quickly and vigorously.
9. Release the contraction and take air into the lungs.
10. Contract your abdomen and expel the air out forcefully.
11. Let the abdomen relax once air is drawn in.
12. Repeat several times in quick succession to make a round.
13. At the end of each round, take a slow and deep breath to gain a normal breathing rhythm.
14. You can do three rounds of this pranayama in one sitting, resting in between each round.

Benefits:

• This helps remove all stale air from your lungs.
• Fresh air is supplied to the respiratory system.
• This pranayama increases lung capacity.
• Kapala Bhati is a beneficial breathing technique to provide elasticity to the diaphragm.

ALSO SEE:

• Agnisara
• Anuloma Viloma - Alternate Nostril Breathing
• Bhramari Breathing
• Bhastrika Pranayama - Bellow Breathing
• Dirgha Pranayama — Complete Breath
• Moorcha Pranayama
• Sheetali Breathing
• Sheetkari Breathing
• Surya Bheda Pranayama
• Ujjayi Breathing

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