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BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA
Preparatory practice: Sit in any comfortable meditation pos
ture, preferably padmasana, ardha padmasana or siddha/ siddha yoni asana, with the hands resting on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra. Keep the head and spine straight, close the eyes and relax the whole body. Take a deep breath in and breathe out forcefully through the nose. Do not strain. Immediately afterwards breathe in with the same force. During inhalation the diaphragm descends and the abdomen moves outward. During exhalation the diaphragm moves upward and the abdomen moves inward. The above movements should be slightly exaggerated. Continue in this manner, counting 10 breaths. At the end of 10 breaths, take a deep breath in and breathe out slowly. This is one round. Practise up to 5 rounds. Keep the eyes closed and concentrate on the breathing
and the counting. Practice note: When accustomed to this style of breathing,
gradually increase the speed, always keeping the breath rhythmical. Inhalation and exhalation must be equal.
Bhastrika Pranayama (bellows breath)
Sit in any comfortable meditation asana, preferably padmasana, ardha padmasana or siddha/siddha yoni asana, with the hands resting on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra. Keep the head and spine straight. Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Raise the right hand and perform nasagra mudra.
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