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Types of Yoga Breathing

Bahya Pranayama
Bahya Pranayama

Bahya Pranayama is the right breathing technique to cure digestion problems. Bahya – Outside (External) | Pranayama – Breathing As the name suggests, this technique reflects keeping your breath outside during the practice.

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Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika Pranayama is one of the main forms of Pranayama. In Sanskrit, Bhastrika means the ‘bellows ’. Just as the blacksmith blows his bellows to create heat and purify iron, Bhastrika is said to purify the mind and clear pranic blocks. Bhastrika is mentioned in the yoga texts Hatha Yoga Pradeepika and the Gheranda Samhita.

Bhramari Pranayama
Bhramari Pranayama

The Bhramari pranayama breathing technique derives its name from the black Indian bee called Bhramari. Bhramari pranayama is effective in instantly calming down the mind. It is one of the best breathing exercises to free the mind of agitation, frustration or anxiety and get rid of anger to a great extent.

Breath Retention Kumbhaka Pranayama
Breath Retention Kumbhaka Pranayama

DON'T perform Kumbhaka on successive breaths; take 2 to 3 Ujjayi breaths before the next retention. Step 3 In general your first Kumbhakas should be one-third to one-half the length of your Sama Vritti count.

Channel Cleaning Breath Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
Channel Cleaning Breath Nadi Shodhana Pranayama

nadi = channel shodhana = cleaning, purifying. Step by Step. Step 1. Sit in a comfortable asana and make Mrigi Mudra. Beginning pranayama students may have some difficulty holding their raised arm in position for the length of the practice. You can put a bolster across your legs and use it to support your elbow.

Conqueror Breath Ujjayi Pranayama
Conqueror Breath Ujjayi Pranayama

Ujjayi is the foundation of many other techniques listed on this site; e.g., ratio breathing, svara yoga, digital pranayama, retention along with the two bandhas. Note that Ajapa Mantra isn't used when performing digital pranayama.

Deer Seal Mrigi Mudra
Deer Seal Mrigi Mudra

Mrigi Mudra is also known as deer seal is one of the Pranayamas or yogic breathing techniques. Mrigi mudra if performed with other Pranayamas like Ujjayi Pranayama and Kapalbhati Pranayama, will have many health benefits for the mind and body.

Digra Pranayama
Digra Pranayama

Dirga Pranayama is called the three part breath because you are actively breathing into three parts of your abdomen. The first position is the low belly (on top of or just below the belly button), the second position is the low chest (lower half of the rib cage), and the third position is the low throat (just above the top of the sternum).

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Kapalabhati Pranayama
Kapalabhati Pranayama

Kapalabhati Pranayama is an advanced breathing technique. Do not attempt it if you are not proficient with basic pranayamas, such as Three-Part Breath (Dirga Pranayama) and Ocean Breath (Ujjayi Pranayama). Also avoid practicing Kapalabhati if you currently have high blood pressure, heart disease, or a hernia.

Lion Pose
Lion Pose

Lion's breath will feel silly; it will introduce some ease and remind you not to take yoga too seriously. If you are getting overheated, try this breath to blow off some steam. It makes you look crazy, which could be part of the reason why it feels so good.

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Nadi Sodha :
Nadi Sodha :

Nadi = subtle energy channel; Shodhan = cleaning, purification; Pranayama = breathing technique. Nadis are subtle energy channels in the human body that can get blocked due to various reasons. The Nadi Shodhan pranayama is a breathing technique that helps clear these blocked energy channels, thus calming the mind.

Root Bond
Root Bond

mula = root (of any tree, but also figuratively the lowest part of anything) bandha = bond. Step by Step. Step 1. Students are typically instructed to contract, to a greater or lesser degree, the (perineal) muscles at the base of the pelvis. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE OF AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER. Here we'll simply approximate Mula Bandha.

Shitali Pranayama
Shitali Pranayama

Sitali Pranayama is often translated as "the cooling breath" because the act of drawing the air across the tongue and into the mouth is said to have a cooling and calming effect on the nervous system.

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Single Nostril Breath
Single Nostril Breath

Yoga Mudras Single Nostril Breath Learn the two versions of Single Nostril Pranayama: Surya Bhedana (Sun-Piercing Breath) and Chandra Bhedana (Moon-Piercing Breath).

Skull Shining Breath
Skull Shining Breath

kapala = skull. bhati = light (implying perception, knowledge) Step by Step. Step 1. Kapalabhati consists of alternating short, explosive exhales and slightly longer, passive inhales. Exhales are generated by powerful contractions of the lower belly (between the pubis and navel), which push air out of the lungs.

Ujjayi Pranayama
Ujjayi Pranayama

When done properly, Ujjayi (translated as "victorious") breathing should be both energizing and relaxing. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali suggests that the breath should be both dirga (long) and suksma (smooth).

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