What is Bhastrika Pranayama? What are its Benefits?
Our Indian culture has given us many wonderful things. One of them is Pranayama. Pranayama means the exercise of the breath. Pranayama is a process through which we control the air in our bodies. This is to increase the oxygen and reduce the carbon-di-oxide. Bhastrika Pranayama is a great practice to increase oxygen levels in the body and energize it. This pranayama pumps more oxygen than any other physical exercise. In this blog, we are going to discuss all details about Bhastrika Pranayama, its benefits, and the right method of doing it.
What is Bhastrika Pranayama?
Bhastrika Pranayama means ‘Blows Breath’. It is a breathing exercise that helps to strengthen the immune system of the human body. This Pranayama is a rapid inhale and force exhale of breath. By doing this, your body absorbs more oxygen resulting in strengthening your organs. This pranayama boosts the energy levels of your body. Due to this reason, it also has another name- ‘Yogic Breath of Fire’.
How to Do Bhastrika Pranayama?
Bhastrika Pranayama means ‘Blows Breath’ and is an exercise of breath. It includes rapid inhalation and exhalation of air. However, you must not go for it without knowing the complete right process. Yoga and Pranayama are two very sensitive things and can backfire on you. Instead of benefitting you, it can easily become harmful to your health.
We have discussed the full step-by-step process below.
For doing the Bhastrika Pranayama, one needs to be in a relaxed mode. Hence the best way of doing it while keeping your body is to sit in ‘Vajrasana’ or ‘Sukhasana’. This position is also famous as a crossed-legged position. In the Sukhasana position, your spine is erect and the diaphragmatic movement of your body is better.
Now make fists from your hands and fold them. Place both of them in alignment with your shoulders.
Now you are in the correct position. It’s time to start the exercise. Inhale deeply and raise your hands straight up opening both of your fists.
Now it’s time to complete the breathing cycle. Use slight force for exhaling the air. Simultaneously bring your hands down close to your shoulders making fists again.
Repeat this cycle with 20 such breaths.
Take a break now. Let your body relax. You can put your palms on your thighs and let them rest. During this break, you can take a few normal breaths.
Continue the process for two more rounds of 20 such breath cycles. In every session, you should perform three rounds of the ‘Bhastrika Pranayama’ breathing exercise.
Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama:
1. Energise Your Mind & Body:
Bhastrika Pranayama oxygenates your body on significant levels. The rapid cycle of inhalation and exhalation increases the amount of oxygen in the body and decreases the amount of carbon-di-oxide. The high amount of oxygen energizes your body organs and your mind. Hence you work with more awareness and become more conscious.
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2. Remove Toxins & Impurities:
This pranayama uses the full capacity of your lungs. The rapid movement of breath makes it possible for the lung to work rapidly and with full efficiency. As a result, it purifies your lungs by removing all toxins and impurities through rapid breathing and forceful exhalation.
3. Enhances Your Immune System:
Especially in the rainy season, we go through many kinds of common ailments such as colds & coughs, asthma, arthritis, nasal infections, digestion problems, skin issues, and other respiratory problems. Bhastrika Pranayama enhances your immune system and helps to fight Sinus, Bronchitis, and extra.
4. Improve Awareness:
Rapid breathing makes your mind more active. You become more aware of your surroundings. Awareness helps you to improve your actions and logical analysis for any situation that happens to you.
5. Balances Your Doshas:
Bhastrika Pranayama helps to balance Doshas in your body. It results in preventing many physical and mental ailments.
Precautions Before You Do Bhastrika Pranayama:
You should always do it only with an empty stomach. A full stomach will cause you trouble during the process and even result in side effects.
Pregnant women must not perform Bhastrika Pranayama.
Never rush during the process. Everyone has their own pace. Hence if you feel dizzy after the completion of one round then increase the duration of break time.
People who suffer from diseases such as heart ailments, high BP, vertigo, issues related to the intestine, and spinal abnormalities must avoid them.
People who suffer from hypertension must do it under the guidance of a professional.
Tips to New Practitioners:
Firstly, if you are doing it for the first time, try to do it under the guidance of someone professional.
Never expect a similar experience to others. You may have a different experience than others.
Don’t force the process on your body. You can take more rest during the break period.
Conclusion:
In this blog, we have discussed all details of the rapid breathing exercise- Bhastrika Pranayama. As the name means, it is all about breathing exercises. Rapid breathing improves your organs and vitalizes your blood. It helps you to become more calm and aware in your day-to-day life. We are living a very fast-paced life that disturbs our natural energy and calm lifestyle. Bhastrika Pranayama is a great exercise to enhance your lifestyle, health & calmness.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is Bhastrika Pranayama?
Bhastrika Pranayama or the bellow breathing process is a mimic of fire in the body. It involves rapid movement of inhalation and exhalation from your belly or diaphragms. This is heating pranayama and sometimes is considered a cleansing breathing exercise.
2. How Many Times One Should Practise Bhastrika Pranayama?
Bhastrika Pranayama is a rapid yoga breathing exercise. Unlike the others, it has some limitations. You must not do more than 3 rounds each day. Also, consider taking breaks after each session.
3. When Should We Avoid Bhastrika Pranayama?
Pregnant women, women in menstruation, and people with heart diseases must avoid the Bhastrika pranayama. Make sure whenever you are practising this, you are under an expert’s guidance.
4. What are the Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama?
Bhastrika Pranayama has a very important role in Ayurveda. Below are some of its benefits.
– Practising Bhastrika improves your respiratory and digestive systems.
– It drains excess phlegm from your lungs.
– It increases oxygen in your blood and increases the vitality of all your organs.
– Bhastrika strengthens your tones and abdominal regions.
– Helpful in energising your body.
– Helps in calming your mind.
5. What is the Right Time for Bhastrika Pranayama?
You can do it any time of the day. But make sure you are empty-stomach before practising it.
6. Does Bhastrika Pranayama help in Mental Health?
Bhastrika Pranayama helps oxygenate blood and other organs which results in the proper functioning of each organ of the body including your mind. Bhastrika helps your rational thinking to work properly. Simultaneously it manages your anxiety & helps to relax the body and mind.
7. Is there any risk with Bhastrika Pranayama?
People who have high blood pressure, ulcers, gastric, hernia, epilepsy, or vertigo must avoid it.
8. Does Bhastrika Help in Losing Weight?
Bhastrika Pranayama does help you in losing weight. As it is a rapid breathing exercise, it generates heat and burns belly fat.
Read More –10 Benefits Of Surya Namaskar
