Pranayam

There are about 50 types of pranayama which are described in the shastras. Here we describe only the eight important ones:

Nadi Shodhana Pranyama
Kapala Bhati Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama
Ujjayee Pranayama
Bhramari Pranayama
Sheetali Pranayama
Sheetakari Pranayama
Suraya Bhedan Pranayama

Some of these like Bhastrika and Surya Bhedan are useful during winter, While some others likes Sheetakari are specifically advantageous during summer. Others are good for all seasons.

Explaining Pranayam

Nadi Shodhana Pranyama

The purpose of pranayama is to purify the nerves system . It is as easy to do it useful. Increase its duration gradually after attining the concentration of mind.
Technique: Sit in any comfortable posture: padmasana sidhasana or sukhasana. Make your breathing normal. Close your right nostril. When the breath has been filled in the berth through the left nostril with your third finger and stay in this state of Antrik Kumbhaka1 for a few seconds. Then lift the thumb from the right nostril and exhale slowly, keeping the nostril closed.
Repeat the process by inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right nostril. This will complete one round of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama.
What needs to be emphasized in this process in the necessity of maintaining a ratio of rhythm in inhaling and exhaling. When you exhale after doing Antrik Kumdhaka (holding the breath in), your breath should not come out all at once in an uncontrolled way. Instead, it should be so regulated that it comes out very slowly and remains under your full control during this process. Hold your breath as long as you can conveniently do so; and when you release it, do very slowly.
When you have enough practice of this process, set your breathing in a regular way. Suppose, you take 4 seconds inhaling, then retain it inside for 8 seconds and release it also 8 seconds. That is, the ratio of the three processes should be 1 :2 :2 . After enough practice, change this ratio to 1:4: 2: It means that if you now take 5 seconds in inhaling, then retain it for 20 seconds and release it in 10 seconds. You need not apply force for retaining your breath; it should be done in a natural way. There should be proper ratio between the Poorak Kumbhaka and Rechaka kumbhaka. While doing Rechaka, the breath should come out in such a slow measure that it is not felt at a distance of about 3 inches from the nose. Similarly in Poooraka, the inhaling should be so slow as if only air around a distance of about 3 inches is affected.
Pooraka and Rechaka are technical terms used in Pranayama. In yoga, taking in and taking out breath is called shwasa and Prashwasa. Pooraka and Rechaka are not simple shwasa and Prashwasa but something more. In Pooraka the lungs are filled with air in measured and rhythmic way in very slow process. similarly in Rechaka lungs are emptied of air in a regular, rhythmic and measured way.
When we hold our breath in Antrik Kumbhaka, we expand our lungs and fill pure air in them. The pure air is there fore able to reach and every cell. The cells of the lungs get purified and strengthened in this way. When we do Bahya Kumbhaka, on the other hand, we retain the breath out. The cells of the lungs therefore contract and the impure air is squeezed out of them. This dual process makes the entire body clean, pure and light. This also increases longevity.
In simple breathing, we generally take the air in and then exhale it immediately thereafter. The pure air is therefore not fully utilized in the body. But kumbhaka is the unique process which brings about its full utilization in the body. The importance of Kumbhaka words. It is common knowledge that when we want to do some work with all our force, such as lifting a heavy load-discus throw, etc., we usually hold our breath. It is therefore obvious that we can increase the strength and capacity of our body by Kumbhaka.
In fact , kumbhaka is not difficult to perform because it only requires one to hold ones breath. But this does not mean that we should start doing it in an abnormal way. This can be risky or even dangerous. increasing the period of kumbhaka abruptly without sufficient prior exercise or doing it in an irregular and casual way can do more harm than good. It is very essential that we should progress gradually and increase its practice by slow measures, so that we do not come to harm.
Nadi shodhana pranayama is excellent pranayama. It is very beneficial in the ailments of the nervous system, lungs and hypertension. In this pranayama the center of concentration should be anahant chakra(see next chapter for the description of chakras).
Caution: those suffering from high and low pressure should not do Khambhaka in this pranayama. they can however practice pooraka and Rechaka slowly.3333
Khumbhaka should be done only after the disease has completely cured, and then is small measure.

Kapala Bhati Pranayama

In Kapalabhati, Rechaka is done with full force. The attention of the practitioner should be fixed on Rechaka during the process. When the breath is exhaled with full force, the stomach should be squeezed inwards, so that the abdominal gas is thrown out with a jerk. In the Pooraka state, the belly regains its original position.

Technique: Sit comfortably in Padmasana or Siddhasana and normalise your breath. try to throe your breath out through your nose with force. First do it slowly and then increase your speed . Do not make any effort to inhale. It is to be stressed that the breath has only to be thrown out and all effort should be directed towards that end. At the start, do it for 15 to 20 times. The practice can be increased to 50-60 times, but should be increased gradually. Also increase your practice according to your capacity. After doing the pranayama, perform the three bandhas(the moola bandha, the jalandhar bandha and the uddiyan bandha)for a few moments while doing bahya kumbhaka. After that, remove the bandhas and normalise your breath.

Kambhaka increase the power of concentration by removing impurities from the nerves of the skull region. Those who sit in dhyana should first do kapalabhati. This helps to control the sense organs and keeps the mind at rest.

Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika is an important pranayama.A large amount of prana vayu is supplied to the body by this pranayama and at the same time impure air (carbon dioxide) is driven off the body and blood is purified.
Bhastrika means bellows. Its working is similar to that of the bellows of the blaksmith. Hence the name. Ida, pingala and sushumna, all the three nadis are influenced by it.
Caution: Those sufferings from high and low blood pressure and the ailments of the heart and the lungs should not do it.
Technique: Sit in Padmasana and make the body erect. Make the mind thought-free and relaxed. Now close the right nostril with your right thumb, inhale and exhale with full force. First do this slowly, then increase your speed and do it quickly for about 20 times. In the end, inhale fully, close the left nostril with your third finger, and perform all the three Bandhas. increase the Kumbkaha according to your capacity. Now open the Bandhas slowly, lift the thumb from the right nostril and exhale through it slowly. Relax for a moment.
Repeat this process by closing the left nostril.
Now place your hands on your knees and do Bhastrika with both nostrils simultaneously. Do it slowly; increase your speed with practice.
It should be remembered that in this Pranayama, the rhythm in exhaling and inhaling should be maintained ,and the time of inhaling should be equal to the time of exhaling .the Pooraka and rechaka ,both are done with full and equal force and no pressure is exerted on the openings of the nostrils in both the state.
Before doing Bhastrika the practice in contracting and expanding the belly without moving any other limb is necessary. Such as a practice brings efficiency in this pranayama. bhastrika, when done through the left nostril, influence the Ida.When done through the right nostril, it affects the Pingala and when done through both the nostrils,it effects the sushumna.These are respectively called Chandrang Bhastrika,Suryang Bhastrika and Sampoornang Bhastrika, helps to strengthen the central nervous system, the memory power.
By doing Bhastrika correctly, the Prana gets stability, the mind is brought under control, indolence is removed and Dhayana becomes easier.

Ujjayee Pranayama

The chief organs of respiration in the human body are the lungs. Before the air reaches the lungs, it passes through many organs. From the nose, the air enters the pharynx. This is also a very important of respiration. It is located in the neck behind the knot-like formation which appears to be protruding when viewed from outside. If we press this knot, breathing might stop leading to death. This also is the Vishuddhi chakra is located. The lower part of the pharynx is separated into two tubes. One of these tubes which is in front is the windpipe. From the air reaches the windpipe.
Whether we breathe through our nose or mouth, the breath reaches the lungs through this instrument. When this is contracted a little and we breathe, the sound of snoring is produced. Many people breathe the same way.
Technique: Sit in Jnan Mudra .First breathe 5-7 times normally, contracting this instrument a little. After a few days of practice, practice Khechari Mudra (It is formed by twisting the tongue inward and by touching the palate with it). Now inhale, producing the sound of snoring from the throat and exhale similarly. In the beginning, do it 15-20 times. Then gradually increase the number of such breaths. While removing the Khechari Mudra, swallow the saliva collected in the mouth.
In this Pranayama, the breath should go from the heart, and vice versa. The speed of the breath should be slow and equal. The sound of inhaling and exhaling in this pranayama should not be heard out. This pranayama is very useful in diseases like epilepsy and other ailments of the brain. tonsils are remove and cold, cough, etc. are relieved. In fact, all the ailments of the throught, nose and ear are cured. The voice also becomes resonant.

Bhramari Pranayam

Sheetali Pranayama

This Pranayama has a cooling effect on the body and mind. It is very effective in relieving the heat of summer days. It is also good in ailments like high blood pressure and the diseases of the skin. It helps to purify blood. It relieves the feeling of thirst and is specially useful for hot-tempered people who fly into a rage at the slightest provocation.

Technique: Sit in a relaxed manner in the state of Jnan Mudra. Bring your tongue out, turn its edges and give. The shape of a drain. Do Rechaka and then inhale deeply with effort thought the drain. Do Antrik Kumbhaka and perform all the three Bandhas. First open the Uddiyan Bandha, the jallandhar Bandha and after that Mool Bandha, and exhale through the nose slowly. In this way, do it for eight to ten times, concentrating on the vishuddhi Chakra.

Sheetakari Pranayama

Its effects are similar to those of the Sheetali Pranayama. It relieves heat and has a cooling effect on the body and the mind.
Technique: Sit in Padmasana or Siddhasana. Fix with force the front part of your tongue at the roots of your teeth and touch the palate with its tip. Now lock your teeth and jaws fixing firmly one the upon the other and inhale through the sides of the mouth, producing a sizzling sound. Do Antrik Kumbhaka and use all the three Bandhas, as in sheetali Pranayama Increase the duration of the Antrik Kumbhaka gradually. Do it eight to ten times.

Suraya Bhedan Pranayama

This is Pranayama as well as a technique of arousing the Kundalini Shakti. Surya Bhedan aims at piercing and arousing the pingala Nadi. this arouses that part of the brain which is the source of Purusha Shakti. In other words, this Pranayama arouses and increases the latent powers of a person. It provides heat to the body and purifies blood. Its regular practice increases the red corpuscles in the blood significantly, and provides relief in the dreadful disease of leprosy. It invigorates the mind increases will power.
Technique: Sit in Padmasana. Plas the first two fingers of your right hand on the middle of the eyebrow and close the left nostril with the third finger. Inhale deeply and quickly through your right nostril. Now close the right nostril also with your thumb and do Antrik Kumbhaka. Perform all the three Bandhas also. Open the Bandhas one :first Uddiiyan, then breath out slowly during this Pranyama. Do it five time. Try to increase the duration of the Antrik Mumbhaka : first do it for half a minute, then increase to 2-3 minutes. The centre of Dhyana in this Pranayama should be Manipoorka chakra,i.e. Nabhi chakra.
It is not necessary to practise all type of pranayama describedabove everyday. it is very important that Pranayama should be done under the guidance of an expert in this field, because a wrong step can mean more harm than good. Excessive practice beyond one’s capacity can also be very harmful. The golden rule is to do it according to your capacity. Also, choose the right Pranayama suitable for you and increase your practice very gradually. Generally, the practice of Nadi Shodhana and Ujjayee for 10-15 minutes daily is sufficient for a normal man.Kapalbhati,Bhastrika and Sheetali are usually done according to the season.

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