Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breathing)

The sanskrit word "Bhastrika" means "Bellows".

Duration : Minimum : 2 minutes, Maximum : 5 minutes

Cures : Coughs, Allergy, Asthma, Throat Infection, Thyroid, Headaches, Tonsils, Cold, Nasal Blockages, Diabetes, Sinus, Eye, Ear, Throat, Mouth, Brain, Nose, Tooth problems

Process :

1. Sit in a comfortable asana like Sukhasana/ Padmasana/ Vajrasana or on a chair
2. Keeping the torso, neck and head erect
3. Close the mouth
4. Place the hands on the knees with palms facing up or in gyan mudra (i.e., index and thumb fingers are touching each other)
5. Breathe in through the both nostrils forcefully, till the lungs are full and the diaphragm is stretched
6. Breathe out forcefully too, but the abdominal cavity does not blow up due to the air breathed in
7. After finishing one round, relax and take a few slow and deep breathe
8. While practicing this pranayama a hissing sound will produce
9. 30 strokes = 1 round. So, can do 2 to 3 rounds daily for good results

Short cut : Breathe in (Pooranaka) and Breathe out (Rechaka) are done with the same amount of force.

Who should not do :

• Heart aliments, Hernia, Vertigo and HBP patients should avoid this pranayama.
• Person with poor lungs capacity should avoid.
• Head cold, Earaches, Chronic respiratory imbalances, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia and other Mental imbalances should avoid this breathing exercise.

Things to Remember :

• If you feel dizzy or nauseous should slow down immediately and return to normal breathe.
• Who suffering with Acute respiratory disorders should not start with this pranayama. They should start with Anulom-Vilom Pranayama.
• In summer season, reduce the number of reputations, Can do only  1 or 2 minutes.