Pranayama (प्राणायाम) a Type of Yoga

Pranayama (Sanskrit: प्राणायाम) is a Sanskrit word meaning "extension of life or breath" or "extension of life force." See 'Pranayama a type of yoga.'

The word is composed of two Sanskrit words: prana, meaning life force or vital energy, especially breath, and "ayam," which stands for expanding or expelling. (not ' restraint or control' as often translated from 'Yama' rather than 'Ayama').

This yogic discipline originated in ancient India and is known as present-day Hinduism. Breath is the life force that sustains our lives.

The human body is the physical manifestation of one's consciousness, and in it, primarily, the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is intensely concentrated with great consciousness.

Pranayama a Type of Yoga

Therefore, all yoga practice revolves around the CNS to raise awareness of consciousness. Kriya Pranayama's practice focuses on gaining awareness of the main three Nadis (Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna) and the seven chakras:

(Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna, and Sahasrara) and opening them to the free flow of Prana.

There are differences in techniques. But everyone has the same goal of self-realization. We can practice pranayama in different ways.

There are about 50 different types of pranayamas described in the Vedas. Below, we list the eight most common and significant ones:

1. Chandrabhedan Pranayama

How to Perform Chandrabhedan

1. Sit in a meditative pose or a comfortable position on the floor.
2. Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
3. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
4. Inhale from the left nostril.
5. Close your left nostril with the right hand's index and middle fingers.
6. Exhale from the right nostril.

This completes one round of Chandrabhedan pranayama a type of yoga. You can gradually do it up to 20 rounds.

Benefits of Chandrabhedan

Chandrabhedan cools the body and cures heartburn.

2. Suryabhedan Pranayama

How to Perform Suryabhedan

1. Sit in a meditative pose or a comfortable posture.
2. Close your left nostril with your index and middle fingers of the right hand.
3. Inhaling from your right nostril.
4. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
5. Exhale through the left nostril.

This completes one round of Suryabhedan pranayama a type of yoga. You can gradually do it up to 20 rounds.

Benefits of Suryabhedan

1. Increases body heat and energy levels
2. Improves digestion
3. Purifies blood
4. Delays aging.

3. Anulom-vilom Pranayama

How to Perform Anulom-vilom

1. Sit in a comfortable, balanced meditative pose.
2. Use your right thumb to close the right nostril.
3. Inhale from the left nostril.
4. Close the left nostril with your right hand’s index and middle fingers.
5. Exhale from the right nostril.
6. Do the opposite: inhale through the right nostril.
7. Close the right nostril with your right thumb.
8. Exhale with the left nostril.

This is one round of anulom-vilom pranayama.

Benefits of Anulom-vilom

1. Balancing body temperature
2. Relieving stress
3. Cleansing the Nadis in your body (Nadi Sudhi or purification of channels)
4. Improving blood circulation
5. Promoting longevity

Remember Advice

While practicing this pranayama a type of yoga, you should breathe in your lungs, not your stomach. It can be done year-round and by everyone.

For practicing higher pranayama a type of yoga, it's suggested to get Nadi Suddhi (purification of channels). One can achieve Nadi Suddhi through regular practice of Anulom Vilom pranayama.

4. Bhastrika Pranayama

How to Perform Bhastrika

1. Sit in a meditative pose or a comfortable position on the floor.
2. Keep the back straight and relax the shoulder muscles.
3. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and bring your right elbow to the level of the right shoulder.
4. Close your eyes. Inhale and exhale through the left nostril—first slowly, then a little faster.

Do the above steps about 20 to 25 times. Take a deep breath in and hold it for as long as possible. This is one round of Bhastrika Pranayama. Repeat this round by closing your left nostril and breathing through your right nostril.

Benefits of Bhastrika

1. Releases toxins from the body
2. Reduces excess fat
3. Enhances digestion
4. Regulates the nervous system
5. Purifies blood

Contradictions to Bhastrika

Avoid practicing Bhastrika pranayama if you suffer from hypertension, heart or lung complications, or hernia. Weak people [people with some illness or low stamina] should avoid doing this pranayama too often.

5. Ujjayi Pranayama

How to Perform Ujjayi

1. Sit erect in a comfortable posture.
2. Inhale slowly and deeply through both nostrils.
3. Hold your breath for as long as possible.
4. Exhale slowly with a whispering sound, contracting the air passage.

This is a single round of ujjayi pranayama a type of yoga. You can start by doing 2 to 3 rounds.

Benefits of Ujjayi

1. Strengthens the vocal cord
2. Stimulates the thyroid gland
3. Improves blood circulation
4. Alleviates diseases of the lungs, chest, and throat

Contradictions to Ujjayi

Avoid doing this pranayama if you suffer from cardiac problems.

6. Sheetali Pranayama

How to Perform Sheetali

1. Sit in a comfortable position.
2. Close your eyes and relax your whole body with normal breathing.
3. Place the tongue on the lower lip and try to move the tongue.
4. Inhale deeply from the mouth.
5. Hold your breath for as long as possible.
6. Slowly close your mouth and exhale through your nose.

This is one round of sheetali pranayama. You can start by doing 2 to 3 rounds and gradually go up to 15 rounds.

Benefits of Sheetali

1. Cools the body
2. It causes acidity and hypertension
3. It relieves indigestion and disorders of the bile
4. Improves eye and skin health
5. Cures tonsillitis

Contradictions to Sheetali

This pranayama is not recommended during the winter. People suffering from severe colds should avoid Sheetali Pranayama.

7. Sheetkari Pranayama

How to Perform Sheetkari

1. Sit in a meditative pose or a comfortable posture on the floor.
2. Keep the back straight and the shoulders relaxed.
3. Place the hands on the knees, keep the fingers relaxed, and close the eyes.
4. Join the lower and upper teeth.
5. Fix the front portion of the tongue against the front teeth, and the rest of the language on the palate.
6. Separate the lips and inhale from the mouth, making a chilling sound.
7. Hold your breath for as long as possible.
8. Exhale through both nostrils.

This is one round of Sheetkari pranayama a type of yoga.

Benefits of Sheetkari

Sheetkari Pranayama cools the body and keeps teeth and gums healthy

Contradictions to Sheetkari

Avoid this pranayama a type of yoga, if you are suffering from low blood pressure.

8. Bhramari Pranayama

How to Perform Bhramari

1. Sit in a meditative pose or a comfortable position on the floor.
2. Keep your back straight, relax your shoulder muscles, and close your eyes.
3. Close both ears with the index fingers of both hands.
4. Raise your elbows to the level of your shoulders.
5. Inhale deeply.
6. Hold your breath for as long as possible.
7. Exhale slowly, making a buzzing sound like that of a bee.

Benefits of Bhramari

1. It calms the body
2. Relieves stress
3. It makes the voice pleasant and melodious
4. Strengthens vocal cords
5. Causes diseases of the throat
6. Increases concentration

Remember Advice

For best results, practice this pranayama a type of yoga, at night or early in the morning. The more you control your breathing, the longer you will live. Pranayama also helps you stay healthy and young for longer.

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