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Kaki Pranayama (crow's beak breath) Kaki is so called because during inhalation the pursed lips form the shape of a crow's beak. Those practitioners who are unable to practise sheetali or sheetkari will find it easy. Kaki is really a mudra but is included here as a pranayama practice because of its close similarity to sheetali and sheetkari.
Technique : basic method
Sit in any comfortable meditation pose. Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Purse the lips, as in whistling, leaving a hollow space in the middle. Open the eyes and focus them at the nose tip in nasikagra drishti. Inhale slowly and deeply, drawing the air in through the lips. At the end of inhalation close the lips and exhale slowly through the nostrils. Keep the eyes focused on the nose tip. If the eyes become tired, close them during exhalation. Practise for 3-5 minutes.
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Technique 2: with jalandhara and moola bandhas
Sit in siddhasana or siddha yoni asana. Practise the basic method of kaki pranayama. After inhalation, retain the breath. Maintain nasikagra drishti and perform jalandhara and moola bandhas. Hold the retention and the bandhas for a few seconds. Release moola bandha, then jalandhara bandha. Slowly raise the head and exhale through the nose. Again breathe in through the mouth. Keep the eyes focused in nasikagra drishti throughout the practice.
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