Bhastrika Pranayama
“This Bhastrika should be performed plentifully, for it breaks the three knots: Brahma granthi (in the chest), Vishnu granthi (in the throat), and the Rudra granthi (between the eyebrows) of the body”
-2.67 HYP
These breaths raise energy and create heat in the body, by rapidly breathing in fully and breathing out fully
60. Binding the Padmasana and keeping the body straight, closing the mouth carefully, let the air be expelled through the nose.
61. It should be filled up to the lotus of the heart, by drawing it in with force, making noise and touching the throat, the chest and the head.
62. It should be expelled again and filled again and again as before, just as a pair of bellows of the blacksmith is worked.
63. In the same way, the air of the body should be moved intelligently, filling it through surya when fatigue is experienced.
64. The air should be drawn in through the right nostril by pressing the thumb against the left side of the nose, so as to close the left nostril; and when filled to the full, it should be closed with the fourth finger and kept confined.
65. Having confined it properly, it should be expelled through the Ida. This destroys vata, pitta and phlegm and increases the digestive power.
66. It quickly awakens the kundalini, purifies the system, gives pleasure, and is beneficial. It destroys phlegm and the impurities accumulated at the entrance of the Brahma Nadi.
This Bhastrika should be performed plentifully, for it breaks the three knots: Brahma granthi (in the chest), Vishnu granthi (in the throat), and the Rudra granthi (between the eyebrows) of the body
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Don't Force Anything! It is in our nature to try and perfect things, so when you first begin a pranayama practice you may feel the urge to try and perfect it right away. If we approach pranayama in this way it can lead to injury, so it's important to approach each practice with an idea of using the least amount of energy possible. If a noise is too loud, this shows that there is an excessive inner struggle going on. It requires the use of various muscles for exhaling, and for controlling the breath to make the sound. When practicing, it is important to use the muscles gently, so that the internal energy flow is gentle so that stress isn't created
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