Pranayama > Bhastrika Pranayama

"Bhastrika" means the "bellows" in Sanskrit.Just as a blackcmith works his bellows, so are the abdominal muscles exercised during this practice in which air is forcefully drawn in and out.

Sequence:

1. Sit straight in a comfortable posture. Padmasana is the best asana to adopt

2. Let the left hand rest on the left knee and place the right hand next to the nose.

3. Inhale and exhale quickly in short and shallow breaths through both nostrils from four to ten times.

4. Close off both nostrils and apply both Jalandhara and Moola Bandha while retaining the breath.

5. Raise your head and exhale through the right nostril to cool the body down.

6. Now apply Uddiyana Bandha directly after the exhalation.

7. Begin your practice with three rounds of ten pumpings and then very gradually work up to a maximum of eight rounds of a hundred pumpings.

Caution:

1. Extending a series for so long can also cause dizziness.

2. Comfort and not reckless excess should guide your motives and manner of doing.

3. Excess in practice may induce dizziness, drowsiness and loss of consciousness.

Benefits:

1. This pranayama makes you relaxed and revitalized.

2. It revives and stimulates the nervous system and the circulatory system.

3. Bhastrika breathing clears the mind of confusion and enhance your powers of focus.