Bhastrika Pranayama {Breath Of Fire}-Steps And Benefits

The word “Bhastrika Pranayama” comes from the Sanskrit word Bhastrika, which basically means breathing like a bellows (धौंकनी). Bellows is a device for producing a strong current of air which was used to fan the fire in Ancient days. In Bhastrika Pranayama our lungs are moved with movements that are very much similar to the bellows. Hence the Bhastrika Pranayama is called the ‘bellows breath’. Bhastrika (bellow-breathing) is a powerful and energetic Pranayama in yoga breathing exercises. In Ancient yogis, they called this breathing exercise as “the yoga breath of fire”. If you did Kapalbhati Pranayama, in this the importance is only on exhalation which is forced, short and quick. In Kapalbhati Pranayama, inhalation is passive and natural. During exhalation, we also force the belly in toward our spine in a brisk movement.

While in the Bhastrika Pranayama Inhalation and exhalation both are forced. The movement of the belly along with every breath is an optional variation. So Bhastrika Pranayama is all about inhaling and exhaling completely so that our body gets a sufficient amount of oxygen.

There are two different techniques for Bhastrika Pranayama.  One is predicated on the classical approach given within the Hatha yoga Pradipika. The other is a modern and changed version of the technique and involves the movement of the arms and shoulders alongside the breath. Here we described the Bhastrika Pranayama according to “Hatha Pradipika”.

Position: Meditation Posture (like Padmasana )
Focusing Chakra– On the Manipura Chakra.
Pronunciation:  bah-STREE-kah.

Related:

• Pranayama: The Real source of energy
• The Concept of Pranayama

Steps of Bhastrika Pranayama

• Sit on the Padmasana (Lotus Pose) with the closed eyes.
• Take a deep breath in (inhale), filling the lungs with air.
• After that gently breathe out.
• In this inhaling and exhaling should take the same length of time-2.5 seconds to breathe in and 2.5 seconds to breathe out.
• While you breathe in (inhale) assume that you are taking in positive energy and vibrations and that you are being energized by them.
• During breathe out (exhale), imagine that you are taking out all the toxins from our body and find. (feel that during breathing out all the toxins comes out through your breath)

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama

• It gives strength to the lungs.
• It helps in allergies, asthma, respiratory diseases, tonsil, and thyroid.
• Gives calmness to the mind.
• Brings the proper balance of three Dosha.
• Purifies the blood and kicked out the foreign objects and toxins from the body.
• Our heart and head get an adequate quantity of fresh and pure air by which our health is improved.
• Heats up our bodies.
• Helpful in common cold.
• It improves our immune system.
• Bhastrika Pranayama is an awesome breathing technique for respiratory-related Problems like Asthma.
• Best for those who are facing the problem of low blood pressure.  
• Bhastrika pranayama is the best way of gaining enlightenment and tranquility.

Precautions

People who are suffering from High blood pressure and acute heart problems should not try this breathing exercise. The condition of High blood pressure also avoids Bhastrika Pranayama coz it produces the heat in your body.

Other Breathing Techniques

• Kapalbhati Pranayama
• Bahya Pranayama
• Anulom Vilom Pranayama
• Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
• Ujjayi Pranayama
• Bhramari Pranayama
• Udgeeth – (chanting the word Om)
• Pranav Pranayama
• Sheetkari Pranayama {Hissing Breath}-Steps And Benefits
• Sheetali Pranayama {Cooling Breath}-Steps And Benefits
• Chandra Bhedana Pranayama (Left Nostril Breathing)-Steps And Benefits
• Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing)-Steps And Benefits