Bhastrika Pranayama

In this week's challenge you must practice bhastrika pranayama for 5 minutes everyday . Bhastrika Pranayama, also known as Bellows Breath, is a heating breathing practice that mimics fanning a fire with a steady flow of air. Bastrika is a Sanskrit word meaning “bellows,” and it describes the active filling and emptying of the abdomen and lungs during this practice. Bhastrika pranayama stokes the inner fire of the mind and body, supporting proper digestion on all levels. It keeps the body healthy and mind happy. Heart and brain patients must practice to get miraculous results. Depression, migraine, parkinson’s disease, paralysis can be cured if practiced in moderation. It also balances kapha and vata when practiced gently.

Benefits Bhastrika Pranayama:

1. Balances excess vata, pitta (when practiced gently), and kapha


2. Burns ama (toxins)


3. Cleanses and rejuvenates the lungs


4. Increases lung capacity


5. Tones the muscles of the heart, bronchial tree, diaphragm, and abdomen


6. Helps to strengthen the heart and lungs


7. Infuses the blood with oxygen


8. Facilitates the proper removal of carbon dioxide from the blood and tissues


9. Kindles agni (the digestive fire), and tones the digestive system as a whole


10. Cleanses and invigorates the liver, pancreas, and spleen


11. Alleviates allergies and asthma


12. Cleanses the nasal passages, sinuses, and chest of excess mucus


13. Improves circulation


14. Supports proper elimination


15. Balances and strengthens the nervous system


16. Induces a sense of peace, tranquility, and focus


17. Promotes vigor and vitality in the mind and body

Steps to do Bhastrika Pranayama:

1. Sit in comfortable asana like Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana. Spinal cord must be straight. Bhastrika is similar to the working of ‘bellows’. ‘Breathe in’ and ‘breathe out’ forcefully. Take the breath inside as deep as possible to fill the lungs and then exhale out completely to evacuate lungs. Breath in and breath out with equal force.


2. The breath should be filled in lungs up to the diaphragm, not in stomach. Do not stop the breath during this process. This is one cycle completed. Repeat this process several times. Do not try to over practice, stop immediately when you feel tired.


3. Depending upon the capacity and health of the practitioner, it can be done in three variable speeds viz. slow, moderate and at high.


4. While ‘inhaling’ make a vow and focus in your mind as if all the divine powers, purity, peace and joy, all that is good in the universe around you is entering inside your body and that you are getting filled with the divine powers, the mind is becoming pure and pious. Keep both the eyes closed and mentally chant the mantra “OM”


5. It should be practiced ‘2-minuts’ minimum and ‘5-minuts maximum’ everyday. If one should feel tired during practice, must stop immediately and resume after some relax. In the countries where normal temperature is high in summers, should NOT be practiced over 2-minuts.

Bhastrika pranayama should not be practiced by people who are pregnant or have high blood pressure. Beginners should practice Bhastrika pranayama slowly at first, allowing their bodies time to adapt to the practice.

Suggested Reading:

Bhastrika Pranayam by Swami Ramdev - Learn more here.