Need the heat this cold brrr months? Here is one vitalizing pranayama for our morning practice: BHASTRIKA The technique: Sit in comfortable meditation posture, with the hands resting on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra. Keep the head and spint straight. Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Take a deep breath in and breath out forcefully through the nose. Immediately afterwards breat...he in with the same force. Forceful inhalation results from fully expanding the abdominal muscles and forceful exhalation from firm contraction of the abdominal muscles. Do not strain. During inhalation, the diaphragm descends and the abdomen moves outward. During exhalation, the diaphragm moves upward and the abdomen moves inward. The movements should be slightly exaggerated. Continue in this manner, counting 10 breaths. Take a deep breath in and breath out slowly. This is one round. Breathe normally in between each round. Practice up to 5 rounds. CAUTIONS FOR PRACTICING WINTER PRANAYAMA Beginners should practice these Pranayama slowly at first, allowing their bodies time to adapt to the practice. If you are suffering from severe cough or sinus and both your nostrils are not open, close the right nostril first and do respiration (exhalation as well as inhalation) through the left nostril forcefully. Then do the same with the other nostril. Continue this method till both the nostrils open simultaneously. Those suffering from high blood pressure, any heart disease, hernia, gastric ulcers, vertigo, epilepsy, lung diseases such as asthma or poor lungs capacity or recovering from tuberculosis should do under expert guidance. Pregnant ladies should not do these Pranayamas. To be avoided during menstruation. If you experience any giddiness, stop the practice and take a few normal breaths. Continue the practice after normalcy. It is best to perform these Pranayamas in the presence of a qualified yoga teacher. REFERENCE: Prana and Pranayama by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati. Yoga Publications Trust
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 21:56:07 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015