Pranayama – Bellows Breath, Breath of Fire, and Kapalbhati

Aloha Everyone,

Last week Thursday Jan 3rd we did a series of pranayama.  For those of you who asked me about them, here is a quick summary:

1.    Bhastrika Pranayama (also known as Bellows Breath) – for energy and power

Close fists by your shoulders
Raise arms up, open palms and inhale
Bring arms down, close fists and exhale
Even breath

Start gentle and slow for 30 second
Increase speed and intensity and practice for 1 minutes, 3 minutes and work up to 5 minutes

Benefits – Good for diabetes, depression, improves digestive system, helps promote good health and natural weight loss

2.   Breath of Fire

Rest your hands on your lap
Even inhalation and exhalation from your nose
Start 1 minutes gentle breathing, then increase intensity and work up to 3 minutes then to 5 minutes

Benefits – oxygenates your blood, helps the body detoxify itself, builds lung capacity, generates heat, and increases your energy level

3.  Kapalbhati Pranayama – this is one of my favorites and you can do this anywhere

Hands in Gyan mudra
Exhale sharply, inhale recoil
4 Long and deep breathing
5 counts inhale
5 counts retain your breath
5 counts exhale

Benefits – Heart Chakra (Anahata Chakra) – Improves lung capacity, blood circulation
Naval Chakra (Manipura Chakra) improves digestive systems, elimination fights diabetes.

Consistent practice this pranayama also helps fight obesity, reduce abdominal fat.  Purges emotional blockages and increases the flow of prana and Kundalini Skakti.

Remember this is your practice so DON’T OVER DO IT.  Listen to your body.

Namaste — Cathi