Breathing Exercise

Different simple breathing techniques in combination. Even if your an advanced practitioner you will benefit from practicing these techniques. (I am an advanced pracitioner and I practice these simple techniques to steady my breath and gain control of it's patterns.)

Perform Ujjayi Pranayama.

Stage 3
Inhale and restrict the air flow to make the sound "sssss". Keep the sound constant and smooth. Exhale make a sound with the mouth closed
that sounds like "hhhhha".

Don't hold the breath yet just warm up and work on smooth sound when inhaling and exhaling. Work on the changes in breath becoming smoother and longer also. This occurs when the breath crosses from inhalations to exhalations and exhalations to inhalations.
Download the

Ujjayi Pranayama

Do this for at least 5 minutes.

Then progress towards holding after the inhalation and then the exhalation as well.
Inhale restrict the air flow to make the sound "sssss". Keep the sound constant and smooth.

Pause at the top of the breath (antara kumbhaka).
Exhale and make the sound "hhhha" keeping the sound constant and smooth.
Pause at the bottom of the breath (bahya kumbhaka).

Ujjayi Pranayama

Breathing Exercise


Then perform...

Pratiloma pranayama

Pratiloma refers to an action that is against the natural order of breath. In this yoga breathing technique the inhalations are restricted by the fingers touching the nose. This is done to create a pure and even flow of air through both nostrils and also to balance energy entering the left and right energy channels.

Instructions
Find a comfortableseated position. Gently exhale all of the air from the lungs.


Stage 1 pranayama Pratiloma Pranayama
Breathe in through both nostrils partially closed.

Use the hand clasp with a finger on one side and the thumb on the other. Control the flow so that it is even through both nostrils.

Exhale through both nostrils allowing the air to leave naturally without obstruction.

The purpose of this exercise is to control the air flow into the lungs so that it is balanced on both sides. This will also lengthen the breaths on the inhalations stimulating the nerves.

If conflict and struggle are present on the inhalations there may be a sense of gasping for air and fear in the mind. If this occurs stop the breathing technique and take easy breaths so that the nerves relax and the diaphragm rests. BeginBhrāmāri Pranayama to further relax the nerves.

 
Pratiloma Pranayama mp3

Breathing Exercise



Stage 2 pranayama Pratiloma Pranayama
Block the left nostril completely and inhale through a partially blocked right nostril. The traditional
hand clasp can be taken up to the nose each inhalation or kept up there throughout a whole cycle of breathing which consists of inhalation and exhalation, retentions can be added in more advanced stages.

Exhale through both nostrils unobstructed.

Block the right nostril completely and inhale through a partially blocked left nostril. Control the nostrils so that the pressure and air flow is equal to the previous inhalation.

Exhale through both nostrils unobstructed.

This completes a cycle of Pratiloma Pranayama alternating nostrils on inhalation.


Pratiloma Pranayama mp3

Stage 3 pranayama Pratiloma Pranayama
Restrict the air flow through both nostrils and inhale through them partially blocked.

Introduce
antara kumbhaka holding at the top of the breath for at least 3 seconds.

Exhale through both nostrils unobstructed.

Block the right nostril completely and inhale through a partially blocked left nostril. Control the nostrils so that the pressure and air flow is equal to the previous inhalation.

This completes a cycle of Pratiloma Pranayama with both nostrils partially blocked and a retention after inhalation.

Pratiloma Pranayama mp3

End with 10 minutes of Aum meditation. Making the om sound during exhalations.

Then rest in the corpse pose.

Based on a book by B.K.S Iyengar
Light on Pranayama: The Yogic Art of Breathing

Every Practitioner should have a copy.
Order Now and add it to your library!