Bhastrika Pranayama (Abdominal Breathing)

Namaskaram

Have any of you come to think about the importance of your breath. Every breath is life. Hence, in Yoga, pranayama is one of the essential practice. Pranayama means Life Source in Sanskrit. 
Our life source is not the heart beat, it is the breath. Every time you inhale a good amount of air, you are alive. 

Pranayama is believed to lengthen the life span and start preserving your body from the day you start practicing it. 

Yogis are convinced that everything is prana (energy). The breath links the physical and energetic universe. By applying the correct breathing technique you can open a gateway to unlimited energy. - Excerpts from http://www.ashtangayoga.info/ashtangayoga/basics/breathing-ujjayi/

They are many pranayama techniques, but there are some that are very frequently mentioned by Master Nava during pranayama sessions in classes. Ujjayi, Kapalabhati (Shining Skull), and Bhastrika.




Today we look at Bhastrika, also known ere the Blacksmith Bellow's breath because of the abdominal movement that is similar to the movement of the bellow.
Before starting, check whether you are breathing the right way.
When you exhale -----> Your abdomen contracts
When you inhale ------> Your abdomen expands.

It is important that you get this right. Take a plastic bag for an example, when you blow it up with air, it bloats up, when you release the air, the plastic bag becomes flat. When we breathe, our abdomen should also move this way.

You will need a metronome for you begin. If you use a smart phone you can search for a metronome application. I use MetronomeBeat as recommended by Mogana from Bliss With Yoga. 

Open your metronome, and if you are using MetronomeBeat, set the beats per bar to 10. Set your metronome to 70 BPM/Larghetto.

Now we can move on the steps:-

1. Get a quiet corner, or a quiet room - it is important to have a quiet area to yourself when you are meditating or doing pranayama, this is to avoid distraction. It is important that your mind is connected to your body, be aware of anything and everything that takes place outside and within you during yoga practice.
2. Sit down in any comfortable position. It is recommended to sit in Full Lotus Pose/Vajrasanana (shown in the picture below.)
3. Start by placing your hand on your navel. This is only for starters, just until you get your breathing and abdominal movement right.
4. Press play on your metronome.
5. Close your eyes, and start by breathing out. The breathing should be fast like an expulsion and not slow.. Your abdomen should contract at this point, which means your hands should move backward.
6. Breathe In, this should also be fast. Your abdomen should expand on this point, which means your hands should forward forward.

Image Courtesy of drsrevathi.blogspot.com

Image Courtesy of http://www.yogawiz.com/

Repeat this for 3 to 4 times of 10 counts/1 bar in MetronomeBeats mins for a start. You can extend your time when you're comfortable.

This pranayama increases heat in the body. Do not practice too much if you are not comfortable with the heat. People with high blood pressure is not recommended to practice this pranayama.

Benefits:-

1. Improves your digestive system - because the pranayama is focusing on abdominal breathing, the energy flow in that area is increasing. This will help to improve your digestive system.
2. It also helps to remove toxins from your body.
3. Increase heat in the body to cure you from common cold - Bhastrika is known as a heat generating pranayama, which increases heat in the body that cures the common cold like the flu.
4. All pranayama helps your mind in some way. Many people experience many things when they practice any sorts of pranayama. You will find a lot of difference taking place mentally and emotionally within you.

Wishing all of you a very good health, peace and harmony.
With that i end this post,
Om