Want to know what Tony Robbins, the coach, and motivational speaker, does every single morning? Here are the benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama and how to practice it.
Our Breath
The breath is our first and last act of life. And in between that first and last breath, we are always breathing. We breathe through love, heartaches, bliss, and health. We breathe through our failures and successes.
Breath is life, for there is no life without breath and no breath without life. And we can transform our lives through the power of our breath.
Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika is often referred to as the coffee for yogis. It means bellows and is also called the Yogic Breath of Fire. This simple yet powerful breathing technique quickly energizes the body while relaxing the mind.
Bhastrika Pranyama Benefits
Bhastrika is an incredible technique to energize the body and relax the mind on the spur of the moment. When we practice Bhastrika, we optimize our lung capacity as we release toxins and impurities. It clears the mind and heightens our alertness. It can also help us balance our doshas. To learn more about doshas please refer to an Introduction to Ayurveda.
Step-By-Step Guide on how to Practice Bhastrika Pranayama
First Round of Bhastrika Pranyama
- Sit in a cross-legged position (sukhasana) or diamond pose (vajrasana)
- Make sure your spine is erect.
- Place your hands in a loose fist in front of your shoulders.
- Your elbows should be close to your body.
- Your shoulders relaxed.
- Breathe in through your nose with normal forceful breaths, raise your arms straight up and open your fists, and spread your fingers.
- Breathe out through your nose with forceful breaths, bring your arms back down close to your body, and close your fists in front of your shoulder.
- Repeat this for 15-20 breaths. Always listen to your body. If you feel lightheaded, do fewer breaths at your own pace with longer breaks between the rounds.
- Place your palms on your lap facing the ceiling.
- Breathe normally and observe the sensations in your body.
Second Round of Bhastrika Pranayama
- Make sure your spine is erect.
- Place your hands in a loose fist in front of your shoulders.
- Your elbows close to your body
- Your shoulders relaxed
- Breathe in through your nose with normal forceful breaths, raise your arms straight up and open your fists, and spread your fingers.
- Breathe out through your nose with forceful breaths, bring your arms close to your body, and close your fists in front of your shoulder.
- Repeat this for 15-20 breaths. Always listen to your body. If you feel lightheaded, do fewer breaths at your own pace with longer breaks between the rounds.
- Place your palms on your lap facing the ceiling.
- Breathe normally and observe the sensations in your body.
Third Round of Bhastrika Pranyama
- Make sure your spine is erect.
- Place your hands in a loose fist in front of your shoulders.
- Your elbows close to your body
- Your shoulders relaxed
- Breathe in through your nose with normal forceful breaths, raise your arms straight up and open your fists, and spread your fingers.
- Breathe out through your nose with forceful breaths, bring your arms close to your body, and close your fists in front of your shoulder.
- Repeat this for 15-20 breaths. Always listen to your body. If you feel lightheaded, do fewer breaths at your own pace with longer breaks between the rounds.
- Place your palms on your lap facing the ceiling.
- Breathe normally and observe the sensations in your body.
When NOT to practice Bhastrika Pranayama
- When you are pregnant
- If you have high blood pressure
- After a heavy meal
Bhastrika Pranayama is best done on an empty stomach. And it is not a substitute for any medical treatment. Always consult your doctor before beginning any breathing exercise, especially if you have any medical concerns or conditions.
Additional Resources
- Ayurveda Lifestyle & Daily Routines
- Create more Sattva in Your Life
- Stunning Benefits of Alternate Nostril Breathing
- How to Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing
- Create a Morning Routine to Kick-start Your Brain
I hope you enjoyed this post on the benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama and how to practice it. Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.