PRANAYAM / BREATHING EXCERCISE

Pranayam or breathing exercise is a very important part of Yoga . Prana means life or vital force and Ayam means extension or dimension. So Pranayam is also called breath control. In Pranayam we breathe deep and long as much as possible to get maximum oxygen and pran urja or life energy for better health.

BHASTRIKA

Breathe in and out as long and deep as possible.
You can do it with slow, medium or fast speed.
Precaution : Old people or people with weak hearts or high blood pressure should not breathe fast as it can increase blood pressure.
Benefits : lungs get lots of oxygen and Pran urja or energy for better health

KAPAAL BHATI ( Kapaal means forehead Bhati means glow )

Exhale or breathe out with the abdomen moving in with every exhalation.
You can do it with slow, medium or fast speed.
Precaution : Old people or people with weak hearts or high blood pressure should not breathe fast as it can increase blood pressure.
Benefits : Good for digestion, kidneys , pancreas, liver, intestine, metabolic system, constipation, diabetes,stone in gall bladder, uterus , ovaries

AGNI SAAR (Agni means fire and Saar means essence )

Exhale or breathe out all air from lungs and hold the breath (kumbhak) for a few seconds according to your comfort level. When you feel it is too much to hold breath outside then slowly inhale or breathe in.
Precaution : Old people or people with weak hearts or high blood pressure should not hold their breath (kumbhak ) for too long as it can increase blood pressure. They should hold their breath ( kumbhak ) less or according to their comfort level.
Benefits : Good for digestion, kidneys , pancreas, liver, intestine, metabolic system, constipation, diabetes,stone in gall bladder, uterus , ovaries

BAHAYA PRANAYAM ( Bahaya means out)

Exhale or breathe out all air from lungs and hold the breath ( kumbhak) for few seconds according to your comfort level along with three locks ( bandhas)
Chin touching top of breastbone called Jalandhar bandh
Pull up the genitals called Mool Bandh
Pull the abdomen in and up towards the diaphragm called Uddiyan Bandh.
When you feel it is too much to hold breath outside then slowly inhale or breathe in and open all three locks or bandhas.
Precaution : Old people or people with weak hearts or high blood pressure should not hold their breath ( kumbhak ) for too long as it can increase blood pressure. They should hold the breath ( kumbhak ) for less time or according to their comfort level.
Benefits : Three bandhas or locks help to regulate the flow of energy in the right direction. Due to Mool Bandh Kundalini energy can not go down , it helps to raise the Kundalini energy up towards the top of the head. Due to Kumbahak there is vacuum which also helps to rise energy up because it is law of nature where there is emptiness energy moves to that direction. Uddiyan Bandh is good for abdomen and Jalandhar Bandh is good for throat.

UJJAIYI

Inhale or breathe in with a tight throat making sound and hold the breath ( kumbhak) for a few seconds according to your comfort level along with two locks ( bandhas)
Chin touching top of breastbone called Jalandhar bandh
Pull up the genitals called Mool Bandh . When you feel it is too much to hold breath inside then slowly exhale or breathe out and open two locks or bandhas.
Precaution : Old people or people with weak heart or high blood pressure should not hold their breath ( kumbhak ) for too long as it can increase blood pressure. They should hold their breath ( kumbhak ) for less time or according to their comfort level.
Benefits : It is beneficial for Thyroid and Parathyroid glands . People suffering from Thyroid problems get lots of benefits . It is also beneficial for snoring or throat also .

ANULOM VILOM

Breathe in from the left nostril and breathe out from the right nostril. Again inhale or breathe in from the right nostril and breathe out or exhale from the left nostril.
Benefits : It cures high or low blood pressure or heart problems. It balances right and left hemisphere of brain as left nostril is related with right hemisphere of brain and right nostril is related to left hemisphere of brain. This pranayam also helps for going deeper into meditation.

BHRAMRI

It comes from the word Bhramer which means honey bee because in this pranayam we will hum OM with closed lips making the sound like a honey bee .That is why it is called Bhramri.
Breathe in and fill your lungs with maximum air or pran urja Close your eyes with two middle fingers and first two fingers on forehead. Close ears with two thumbs and start huming OM as long as possible.

UDGEET

Chant OM in a normal way.