Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika literally means ‘bellows used in a furnace’. In this Pranayama, air is forcibly drawn in and out as in a blacksmith’s bellows.
Practice
Stage 1
- Sit in any position – Padmasana or Siddhasana – whichever you find comfortable.
- Keep the back erect. Lower the head to the trunk and place the chin in the notch between the collar bones just above the breast bone (Jalandhara Bandha).
- Inhale and exhale vigorously and forcefully. One cycle of Bhastrika comprises one inhalation and one exhalation. The sound that is produced resembles air rushing through the bellows.
- Complete 10-12 cycles at a stretch. Then breath in slowly and deeply as in Ujjayi. Hold the breath with Mula Bandha for 2-3 seconds, then exhale slowly and deeply as you would in Ujjayi.
- Ujjayi type of breathing relaxes the lungs and diaphragm, preparing them for further cycles of Bhastrika.
- Repeat the cycles of Bhastrika 3-4 times with Ujjayi breathing in between.
- Reduce the number if the sound of the air lessens and the vigor diminishes.
- Lie down in shavasana after the session is over.
Stage 2
- Sit in any position – Padmasana or Siddhasana – whichever you find comfortable
- Keep the back erect. Lower the head to the trunk and place the chin in the notch between the collar bones just above the breast bone (Jalandhara Bandha).
- Adjust the thumb and finger pressure on the nostrils.
- Close the left nostril completely, keeping the right nostril partially open.
- Breathe in and breathe out vigorously only through the right nostril for 10-12 cycles of Bhastrika as in stage 1 above.
- Close the right nostril. Open the left nostril partially and repeat Bhastrika for an equal number of cycles.
- Remove fingers from the nostrils.
- Breathe in deeply as in Ujjayi.
- Repeat the cycles on both sides 3-4 times and do Ujjayi in between.
- Lie down in shavasana after the session is over .
BENEFITS:
- Bhastrika Pranayama rouses the Kundalini quickly. It purifies the Nadis considerably.