YogaHolism

Do you know that our body needs the energy to work? How can we get energy in the body?

It is very important to know the facts that our body gets energy from oxygen. Oxygen comes from the respiratory system. But when we take stress or think excessively, then the process of breathing gets disrupted due to which there is a lack of energy in our body. Along with the deteriorating lifestyle, unbalanced eating habits and bad habits can make the body the home of many serious diseases, from which regular practice of some yoga asanas or pranayama can be very helpful in getting relief.

One such pranayama is Bhastrika Pranayama, which can be avoided by many types of physical and mental problems if practiced regularly.

Let us then know some important things related to Bhastrika Pranayama today, in this blog.

Yoga and Pranayam are considered the key to good health. The body and mind can be kept healthy by doing Bhastrika Pranayama. This is a kind of simple pranayama that makes us naturally energized. This pranayama is a deep breathing technique that clears the mind and strengthens the prana in the body. Practice Bhastrika to increase the capacity of your lungs. This will strengthen your respiratory system. This purifies the blood faster. Along with this, the circulation of blood in different parts of the body is accelerated

Let’s discuss important things related to Bhastrika Pranayama.

How is Bhastrika Pranayama defined?

Bhastrika means “bellow”. The word Bhastrika is derived from the Sanskrit language. In English, this pranayama practice is called  Bellows Breathing Technique. Just as an ironworks by releasing strong air with the help of a bellows to produce heat, by heating the iron, removing its impurities, and shaping it.

Similarly, in Bhastrika Pranayama, to remove the impurity and negativity inside the body, impure air is taken out with a strong velocity like a “Dhalkni”. And with the same speed, pure Pranavayu is taken inside the body. It is excellent pranayama to remove the impurities of the body in the present time polluted environment. When the lungs of the human body are prone to contaminated air, dust, soil, and other impurities, performing Bhastrika Pranayam is very beneficial.

Also Read: Anulom Vilom Pranayama

How Bhastrika is beneficial for health?

By practicing Bhastrika Pranayama, the amount of oxygen in the body of a person is always balanced and along with this, the body gets more amount of life air. There are various benefits related to this pranayama which are as follows-

1. The biggest benefit of Bhastrika Pranayama is that it makes our lungs strong. Lungs are an important part of our body. More oxygen reaches with each breath and our body gets more healthy.
2. It reduces swelling and phlegm in the throat.
3. This is a very effective practice to remove toxins from inside the body.
4. It improves the nervous system.
5. With the practice of this pranayama, high blood pressure can be controlled and heart rate can be improved.
6. This pranayama helps in belly fat loss.
7. This pranayama helps get rid of many respiratory disorders and problems like asthma, smoking, and infection, etc.
8. It keeps the brain healthy and helps in focusing.
9. This pranayama is very beneficial in the winter season. It produces heat in the body.
10. Oxygenates the blood increasing the vitality of all the organs and tissues.
11. It makes the skin shiny.
12. This pranayama is very effective in many mental diseases like depression etc.
13. It enables the prana to break down the three glands Brahmagranthi, Vishnugranthi, and Rudragranthi. These glands are found in the Subhuman and awaken Kundalini rapidly.
14. Its practice increases appetite.
15. This is one such pranayama that can reduce your weight. But it is effective for reducing belly fat and weight.
16. Calms the mind.

Things to keep in mind while doing Bhastrika Pranayama

• Bhrastrika Pranayama should be done in the morning in open and clean air.
• The time of inhaling and exhale of breath should be the same.
• Breathing time approx. 2. 5 seconds and the same exhalation time should also be about 2.5 seconds so that you can do Pranayama 12 times in about 1 minute.
• You can do this in 3 levels as you progress in your practice according to your ability.
  • Slow practice – one breath in 2 seconds
  • Medium practice – 1 breath in 1 second
  • Fast Practice – 2 breaths in 1 second
• Practice Bhastrika Pranayama slowly. And increase the level further according to your ability.
• If you have recently had any surgery or operation. So consult your yoga guru or doctor.
• Do not practice if you are pregnant.
• Do not practice if your nose is blocked due to a cold.
• People who have serious problems like uncontrolled high blood pressure, epilepsy, or seizures should not practice Pranayama.
• Do not do in acute hunger, asthma, and asthma.
• Bhastrika Pranayama is an energetic exercise that should never be done at bedtime.
• If you see symptoms like nausea, restlessness, or nervousness while doing this pranayama, do not do it.
• Before doing this pranayama, clean the nose properly.
• Do not do this exercise for more than 1-2 minutes in the summer season.
• After this in summer, Shitali or Shitkari pranayama should be done so that the body does not get too hot.

If you are learning from a yoga guru then doing this pranayama will be easy for you.

Correct steps of Bhastrika Pranayama?

 There are different steps which are as below-

1. While doing Pranayama, first of all, you should sit in Padmasana. If you are not able to sit in Padmasana, then sit in a comfortable position, but keep in mind that your body, neck, and head are straight.
2. Then close your eyes and relax the body for a while.
3. Keep both your hands in Gyan Mudra.
4. Sit in meditation for some time
5. Now make sure to take a deep breath through both nostrils.
6. The lungs should swell completely during the act of breathing.
7. After this, you have to exhale the breath according to your capacity.
8. The speed of exhalation and inhalation should be like that of a blower. And the breath should be completely taken in and out.
9. Breathe in again and exhale again according to your capacity.
10. The speed of exhalation should be so fast that the lungs contract.
11. Breathing through both the nostrils is a complete cycle, in the same way, it is called Bhastrika Pranayama.
12. Then rest for a while
13. Repeat this process for 3-5 rounds.

Also Read: Kapalbhati Pranayama

Some common FAQ’s related to Bhastrika:

Q-1  How long should one do Bhastrika Pranayama?

Ans – Do only two to five minutes daily. In a serious disease like cancer, it can be done for 10 minutes. Bhastrika Pranayama gives many times more oxygen.

Q-2 Why do I feel dizziness after doing Bhastrika pranayama?

Ans – Hence first of all if you are getting dizziness to stop the practice. Just only do other Pranayama. Figure out the reasons for which you want to do it if you feel you want to do it. Just start with 5 rounds initially and then increase it. Also, these practices should be done only in winters, avoid them when it’s too hot. As they will certainly increase the heat of the body.

 Q-3 How does Bhastrika pranayama develop a lungs?

Ans – It’s a deep breathing exercise, our lungs absorb maximum oxygen from breath and slowly expand lungs to their original position. Just as if we won’t do exercise of any part of the body it becomes stiff and hard same thing happens with the lungs. So Bhastrika is the exercise of the lungs.

Q-4 Does Bhastrika Pranayama enhance the immune system?

Ans – Yes, Pranayama and Yoga can improve Immunity by improving blood circulation, reducing fatigue, reducing stress, and improving physical posture.

You can also manage to get acquainted with the useful properties of this exercise and it seems to me that this can be a panacea for any disease and ailment.

Q-5 What is a good way to warm up the body in the morning when it is chilly?

Ans – There is a breathing technique called the bellows breath or Bhastrika. It heats the body easily and leads to sweating in a minute. Some people can sit on snow and melt it, wrap themselves with wet towels and dry them with that heat.

At the end of this blog

Hopefully, I can say that while practicing Bhastrika, you feel the blood rushing to your head and all other parts. You can experience the rush of blood through the heat it produces in those areas.

You can feel that your nasal passage being cleared of all dirt and experience the freshness and the gush of air around yourself, due to the forced exhalations. You can experience the joy of being the owner of my body, bellowing out air as much and as fast as you need!

In my experience – Pranayama and /or other forms of breath movements are the gateway to meditation. Pranayama has the power to take you straight to enlightenment.

Stay positive and keep doing Pranayam.