The observe of pranayama or ‘breathwork’ because it’s additionally identified, is an integral a part of yoga, and one thing that has really existed far longer than the bodily postures. Decide up a duplicate of the Hatha Yoga Pradipikaor Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha and also you’ll discover there’s much more consideration given to the specifics of respiration and motion of prana than there may be in most fashionable yoga books or lessons. The explanation? Prana means ‘life power’, simply as qi does within the Conventional Chinese language Medication context. The first yoga practices had been involved primarily with this move of power above all else. All the things we do from shifting to consuming, sleeping, socialising, and learning has an impact upon our life power. And on the subject of respiration, it’s a robust method to work with prana.
While the UK Summer time could be a little unpredictable, it’s doubtless we’ll all expertise a bout of steamy scorching and humid days wherever you occur to dwell. From an ayurvedic perspective, the summer time season holds the qualities of warmth, moisture, depth, transformation and keenness – all qualities of the Pitta dosha. This implies we’re all somewhat extra more likely to really feel scorching and bothered, intensely pushed and targeted, and usually somewhat extra fiery than regular. Utilising these particular pranayama practices not solely retains the physique bodily cool and balanced throughout scorching climate, nevertheless it additionally cools and calms the thoughts. Whether or not you’re working or on trip, indoors or out, these three practices are easy to make use of whenever you want them.
1. Sitali breath
Sitali means ‘cooling’ or ‘soothing’, and is a technique which will look somewhat unusual, however is extremely efficient. Very like animals do, this pranayama method works by passing the breath over the tongue and cooling the physique from the within.
To practise: Curl the tongue and inhale the breath as if you had been sucking air by a straw, maintain for a second then exhale slowly by the nostril. Proceed for a few minutes then drink a glass of cool water to reinforce the soothing results. When you’re not capable of curl your tongue, merely stick it out and really feel the breath passing over the tongue as you inhale.
2. Chandra Bhedana
This ‘moon piercing’ or ‘moon activating’ breath works on the delicate power channel of ida, the female nadi to the left of the backbone. Chandra Bhedana is particularly soothing for the nervous system, and is nice to practise within the night earlier than mattress, or if you happen to’re feeling pissed off or irritable.
To practise: Shut off the fitting nostril and breathe out and in slowly by the left nostril for 3 minutes. To boost the observe, visualise a silver crescent moon reflecting over cool water.
3. Pranayama With Visualisation
Including visualisation to your breathwork practices is a useful method to domesticate a peaceful and quiet but targeted and inventive thoughts. You probably have difficultly meditating, this can be an efficient method to get began.
To practise: Lie in your again comfortably and breathe slowly out and in by the nostril. As you inhale, really feel a cool white mild travelling up the physique from the ft to the highest of the pinnacle. As you exhale, really feel the cool white mild journey again down the physique. With every spherical of respiration, think about the sensation of the cool white mild calming, soothing and cooling your physique and thoughts increasingly more. Apply for 3-5 minutes and finish with the exhale returning to the ft to floor your self.
