It has 2 types, based on whether or not there is any concomitant chanting of Mantras with the Pranayama exercise.
1. Comfortable aasana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana.
2. Slow inhalation; with concomitant chants of the mantra 'OM AARAH', if possible.
3. Hold the breath for a short period of time.
4. Slow Exhalation.
It's a daily and constant process, which we seldom appreciate.
It encourages concentration with closed eyes while we inhale and exhale.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Concentrate with eyes closed.
2. Rest the right thumb on the right nostril (Avoid applying any pressure or blocking the nostril). At the same time, rest the right index finger on the space between 2 eyebrows and close the left nostril with the right ring and little finger.
3. Slow inhalation through the right nostril is pursued, till comfortable.
4. With the thumb applied to the right nostril, retain the breath firmly pressing the chin against the chest. There is no specific limit to this and it can be pursued till there is discomfort.
5. Slow and silent exhalation through the left nostril. It is followed by a short gap wherein inhalation is avoided. This same procedure is to be repeated again.
Hold your breath till you perspire. This point cannot be reached at the very outset. The period of retention of breath needs to be gradually increased.
1. Sit comfortably in Padma-asana / Swastika asana / Siddhasana. Close the mouth.
2. Fold the tip of the tongue and rest it on the palate. The tongue will appear to be 'twisted'.
3. Inhale air slowly through both the nostrils in a uniform manner till the breath fills the chest. This results in a peculiar sound uniform in pitch and continuous in nature.
4. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
5. Close the right nostril with the right thumb.
6. Exhale slowly through the left nostril.
3 min to hr
It is an imitation of the respiration of a serpent.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana/Swastika-asana/ Siddhasana/Vajrasana.
2. Rest the hands on the knees.
3. Fold the edges of an outward-extended tongue to resemble a round hollow tube.
4. Draw in the air through the mouth with a hissing sound 'Si' and feel the air touching the tongue while inhaling.
5. Retain the breath as long as you can till there is any discomfort.
6. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.
1 - 5 minutes. Practice regularly in the morning, 15 to 30 times.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Fold the tongue so that its tip is brought to rest over the upper palate. Inhale air through the mouth accompanied by a hissing sound 'Si'/ 'C'.
3. Retain the breath as long as you can, till there is any discomfort.
4. Slowly exhale through both the nostrils.
Gradually increase by 1 minute every week, till 5 minutes.
It draws similarity with the bellows of a blacksmith. It involves rapid expulsion of breath and is a powerful exercise. It can be termed as a combination of Kapalabhati and Ujjayi.
1. Upright position (with a straight neck) in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Body, head and neck in erect posture. Close the mouth.
3. Inhale air (chest expands and abdominal muscles are pulled in) and quickly exhale 10 times (1 set). While doing so a hissing sound is produced.
4. When 1 set is on the verge of completion the final expulsion should be followed by a deepest possible inhalation.
5. Retain breath as long as you can till there is some any discomfort.
6. Follow it with a complete slow exhalation. This marks the end of one round.
7. After a short rest (with normal breathing pattern) begin the next round.
Practice three rounds daily in the morning and evening.
Its name is derived from the fact that a sound like that of 'humming of bees' is produced when it is practiced.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana or Swastika-asana. Keep the neck and back erect.
2. Place your thumbs on the ears, index fingers just above the eyebrows (near the sinuses) and the remaining three fingers on the eyes. The finger-tips should slightly press the ridge of the nose on each side.
3. Inhale and exhale air rapidly through both the nostrils, making a humming sound resembling that of a Bee ('Bhramara'). Concomitantly chant 'Om'.
4. The process can be continued till you perspire profusely.
5. Next inhale through both the nostrils and retain the breath as long as you can, till there is some discomfort.
6. Exhale slowly through both the nostrils.
Beginners may practice it 3 times, and advanced practitioners 11-21 times.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. Close the eyes and concentrate on the space between the 2 eyebrows ('Trikuti').
3. Inhale slowly through the mouth and retain the breath till you feel faint.
4. Sever off your connection with the surroundings and focus on the center-point between the 2 eyebrows.
5. Apply the chin on the chest and then exhale slowly.
Perfection in Tandem breathing (mentioned earlier) paves the way for Kevala Kumbhaka. Thus, an existence devoid of inhalation and exhalation and unconditioned by space, time and number is unconditioned breath.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana.
2. It involves the sudden stopping of the breath without resorting to inhalation or exhalation.
A simple, yet scientific exercise that can be practiced virtually anywhere. It is based on the fact that we alternate between the two nostrils when we breathe.
1. Upright position in a comfortable asana like Padma-asana. Tilt your head slightly forward.
2. First half round:
3. Second half round:
If there is no discomfort of any kind after practicing as instructed above, increase the inhalation period gradually second-by-second. Correspondingly change the exhalation period.
Begin with 3 rounds. If there is no discomfort, 1 round can be added every week, until you are doing 7 rounds.
This exercise can be practiced as often as you wish, but do remember to do it at least once a day.
Cold/ Nasal block (Stuffed nose). Forced breathing is not advocated and can lead to complications.