Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika-pranayama is a simple form of pranayama (breathing exercises). One of the easiest forms of practicing Pranayama, Bhastrika-Pranayama is popular for its refreshing benefits in its natural form.

As far as the definition of Bhastrika Pranayama is concerned, it is such a pranayama in which continuous rapid force is inhaled and released. Just as the blacksmith blows the bellows continuously, it is continuously inhaled and exhaled rapidly.

In this pranayama pure air is taken inside and impure air is thrown out at a fast speed. Which looks similar to Kapalbhati but it is very different both. Healthy respiratory system has been considered as the basis of life, so Bhastrika Pranayama Yoga process can also be helpful in relieving many health related disorders.

Bhastrika pranayama is a breathing technique known to produce heat in the body. Bhastrika is powerful and energetic pranayama in yoga breathing practice. Kapalbhati is also a breathing technique that mimics sneezing and involves the stomach, but Bhastrika is through the chest and engages the lungs. This is one of the best techniques which will remove the blockage from all Nadis.

Bhastrika pranayama is a panacea treatment to overcome the problems of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Its long-term healing purifies the blockages from the chakras. Performing this Pranayama asana is beneficial for heart and brain patients to achieve a miraculous magnitude.

Now it comes to how to do Bhastrika Pranayama. Here it is explained in a simple way, with the help of which you can do it easily.

Steps to do Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath)

  • First of all, place a mat on a clean and flat place and sit on it in some position Padmasana or Sukhasana.
  • We advise you to sit with your backbone straight and make sure to close your eyes. Keep both your hands straight at the knees and join the index finger with the thumb or Gyan mudra.
  • Sit in meditation for a while.
  • Now take deep breaths through both the nostrils while making sure that your mouth does not open at all while doing this exercise.
  • In the process of breathing, your lungs should swell up completely.
  • After this, you have to release the filled breath through both the nostrils in one stroke.
  • The speed of inhalation and exhalation should be as rapid as that of “blower” and the inhalation should be taken in and out completely.
  • Breathe inward again and forcefully exit it again.
  • The exhalation speed should be so rapid that the lungs should shrink with shock.
  • A cycle of Bhastrika Pranayama completes from breathing to quitting.
  • While doing this pranayama, first the breath speed should be slow, then the medium and after that breathe at high speed and leave.

Things Keep In Mind

Time to inhale and exhale is to be kept the same. While doing Bhastrika Pranayama, the time to breathe in two and a half seconds (2.5 sec) and the time to exhale is also said to be two and a half seconds (2.5 sec). In this way, Bhastrika Pranayama can be done 12 times in a minute.

As you progress, the ratio for inhaling and exhaling can be changed to 1:2, which means if inhalation is 2.5 seconds, then exhalation is 5 seconds.

When you breathe in while performing Bhastrika pranayama, your chest area should blow up instead of you’re abdominal.

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath)

  • Bhastrika Kumbhak is the most beneficial among all Kumbhakas.
  • In Bhastrika Pranayama, when we inhale forcefully, there is a lot of oxygen in the lungs which helps in purifying the blood. This balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
  • The study also confirmed that this practice can help control the increased blood pressure along with improving the nervous system. On the other hand, it is also helpful in improving the increased heart rate.
  • This pranayama also helps us in reducing belly fat.
  • It would not be wrong to say that the benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama can prove beneficial in many respiratory problems. (study) As a result, get rid of various breathing problems including asthma, allergies due to pollution, smoking, infection, and lifestyle. It is necessary.
  • By doing this Pranayama, purification of all the nerves of the body and blood circulation process in the body improves.
  • This pranayama helps in Kundalini Jagran, keeps the brain healthy and helps it to concentrate.
  • This is very useful in the winter season, it produces heat in the body.
  • According to Hathapradipika 2/65, it removes diseases caused by the excess of air, bile, and mucus.
  • The best advantage of Bhastrika Pranayama is that it makes our lungs strong. Lungs are an important part of our body. With every breath the more oxygen reaches inside the body, the more healthy the body remains.
  • Moreover, It improves general health and activates all the organs.
  • This Pranayama purifies the pulse (Nadi) flow. Bhastrika Kumbhak is the most beneficial among all the Kumbhakas.
  • However Performing pranayama early in the morning helps one to obtain naturally glowing skin.

Some Asana Associated with Bhastrika Pranayama

Precautions for Bhastrika Pranayama

Before doing Bhastrika Pranayama, keep in mind the following things-

  • This pranayama should not practice pregnant women or people having high blood pressure.
  • Beginners should practice this pranayama slowly.
  • Patients suffering from lung, heart and high blood pressure problems should always practice this process with slow speed. Do not do this pranayama if the problem is serious.
  • Do not exceed the maximum 2-minute practice of Bhastrika during the summer season.
  • Before performing Bhastrika Pranayam, clean the nose thoroughly.
  • While doing this, you should stop it immediately when you see symptoms like dizziness, nausea, nervousness or restlessness.

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Disclaimer

The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional