Nadi Shodhana Pranayama

Nadi is called pulse and Shodhana means cleaning. Thus, this pranayama is being done since ancient times to clean the Nadis. It is said that Indian sages used to practice such yogic practices to keep themselves healthy. In simple words, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama is called Alternate Nostril Breathing Exercise, in which one has to breathe through one nostril, hold the breath, and then exhale through another.

The Nadis in the human body are subtle energy channels. NadiShodhan Pranayama is a process of breathing that helps to cleanse these energy systems and operate smoothly and thus calm the mind. Some yogis also refer Nadi Shodhana Pranayama as Anulom Vilom Pranayama.

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama Benefits :

• Infuses the body with oxygen.
• Clears and releases toxins.
• Reduces stress and anxiety.
• Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system.
• Helps to balance hormones.
• Supports clear and balanced respiratory channels.
• Helps to alleviate respiratory allergies that cause hay fever, sneezing, or wheezing.

Shitali Pranayama

The meaning of the word “Sheetali” is cooling down, that process can cool down our body and gives the feeling of coldness. The word Shitali is originally taken from the word “Sheetal” which means cold or soothing. The daily practice of Sheetali Pranayama can calm the mind along with the body. In Ancient text Hatha yoga Pradipika Sheetali pranayama and Sheetkari pranayama are mentioned. The process of Sheetali Pranayama is very similar to Sheetkari pranayama. Sheetali Pranayama and Sheetkari is also a breathing technique (Pranayama). The basic purpose of the Shitali Pranayama is to decrease or cool down the body temperature, this may have a positive impact on our nervous system and endocrine glands.

Shitali Pranayama Benefits :

• Sheetali Pranayama is useful in diseases related to tongue, mouth and throat.
• It is very beneficial in diseases of the spleen.
• Helpful in fever and indigestion.
• Controls the High B.P.
• Useful in Pitta related diseases.
• It purifies the blood.
• Best for cooling down the body temperature.

Sheetkari Pranayama

Yoga Asanas and Pranayama are the two distinctive gifts to people for maintaining a healthy life in a natural manner. They enforce not solely physical well – being however additionally mental well being. In Shitali pranayama and Sheetkari pranayama we breathe through the mouth. These are the same as Python’s breathing. Python, hens, kids of deer takes a deep breath through opening the mouth and they all are simply sucked in with the air and it’s the capability to digest it. Sheetkari pranayama and the Shitali process are also like this.

Sheetkari Pranayama Benefits :

• Cools down the body temperature so it is useful in Fever.
• It is beneficial in mouth-related diseases, throat and tongue.
• Shitkari pranayama helps in spleen and indigestion.
• Best for High blood pressure and for the summer session.
• It is effective in dental problems like pyorrhea.
• It controls body temperature.

Ujjayi Pranayama

The word “Ujjayi Pranayama” made from the Sanskrit prefix “ud” (उद्) and “Ji” (जि): “ujji” (उज्जि), Ujjayi (उज्जायी), which means “Victory”, “one who is victorious”. Thus the Ujjayi breath means “victorious breath”. In this breathing exercise, the process of Inhalation (breath in) and exhalation (breathe out) are both done through the nostrils. During the process of Inhalation (breath in or Poorak) the “ocean-like sound” is formed by moving the glottis as air passes in and out.

Ujjayi Pranayama Benefits :

• It boosts the focusing power of the mind.
• The body becomes healthy, strong and lustrous.
• It generates internal heat.
• Gives a positive attitude.
• Very helpful in clearing blocked arteries regulates cholesterol.
• Helps in cataracts and sinus problems, Rheumatism and migraine also.
• It lowers the risk of heart attacks.
• Prevents thyroid problems and makes voice sweet and melodious.
• Best for those people who are in the singing profession.

Bhastrika Pranayama

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.

Bhastrika Pranayama Benefits :

• 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.

Bhramari Pranayama

Bhramari word is made from the Hindi word “Bhramar” (मधुमक्खी in Indian language) which means Bumble Bee and the meaning of Pranayama is breathing technique so it can also be called ‘bee breath’. Bhraamri (Bee Breath) could be a terribly effective Pranayama (breathing exercise) for meditation. The activity of this respiratory exercise helps to induce a chilling impact on the mind rapidly. Bhramari Pranayama edges in reducing high vital sign, fatigue, and mental stress. Conjointly active this Pranayama for ear, nose, mouth, and eye issues will have a positive impact. This Pranayam is one of the great breathing exercises to release the mind of disquiet, anxiety, or frustration and get rid of anger. It is simple to do breathing techniques and can be practiced anywhere at work or home, it is an instant option for de-stress yourself.

Bhramari Pranayama Benefits :

• This is the best method to achieve the concentration of mind.
• It opens the blockage and gives a feeling of happiness to the mind and brain.
• Beneficial in relieving from hypertension.
• It relaxes the mind and lowers stress.
• It helps in High blood pressure and heart problems.
• With the help of this, the mind becomes steady, lower mental tension, agitation, etc.
• Helpful in curing Paralysis and migraines.
• All ages people can try this breathing exercise including pregnant women.

Murcha Pranayama

Moorcha or Murcha as it is commonly known means fainting in Sanskrit. The pranayama involves a prolonged full pause with the chin locked near the thyroid gland. This position is maintained by the practitioner, until he reaches the state of almost fainting. This pranayama is only practised by people who are well advanced in all other branches of pranayama. People who are successful in completing this exercise experience a prolonged, relaxed, euphoria and semiconscious swoon.

Murcha Pranayama Benefits :

• This is great pranayama for meditation.
• It also exposes unique qualities such as peace, kindness, forgiveness inside a person.
• Pranayama relieves many mental problems including anxiety, tension, fear, and headaches. This is pleasing pranayama.
• By doing this, the body weight is reduces.
• Prana energy is increase by doing daily Pranayama.
• This pranayama leads you to a different state while providing physical and mental stability.
• Along with getting rid of mental problems by its regular practice, diseases like metal disease and impotence are also removes.

Palvini Pranayama

Plavini pranayama is a means to regulate Prana or the life force in such a way that the individual’s body is light enough to float. The Sanskrit root of the word ‘Plavini’ or Plu means to float or swim. The main aim behind this Pranayama is to swallow air like a fluid and lighten the body to gain its natural shape so that it can levitate.In this pranayama, the person consumes air like one consumes water and retains it in the stomach to make it feel bloated so that they can develop a feeling of floating. As the stomach is filled with air, a peculiar sound of drum-like reverberation is produced on tapping the stomach.

Palvini Pranayama benefits :

• It improves blood circulation throughout the body and helps the body to detox free radicals accumulated over time.
• It also improves the immune function.
• It helps in swimming and floating over the water for a long time.
• It helps the person to feel lighter as it relaxes the airflow and in turn relaxes the mind and brain cells.
• It improves mental health by controlling the airflow in a relaxed state and reduces mental tension or anxiety.
• It channelizes your inner energy and removes impurities and toxins from the body.