BALANCE YOUR DOSHAS WITH BHASTRIKA PRANAYAMA

Balance is the cornerstone of physical, emotional and spiritual health. In this article, we tell you one way to achieve balance in your three doshas by means of a breathing exercise called Bhastrika Pranayama.

In Ayurveda, there are three types of biological energies that account for all differences between people. These are called doshas, and the three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata represents all qualities reflecting the elements of space and air. Pitta represents qualities that reflect the elements of fire and water. Kapha represents all qualities that reflect water and earth.

It is important as a human being that we achieve a balance between our Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Imbalance between the three doshas will give rise to as many as 140 diseases.

What is the Bhastrika Pranayama?

Bhastrika Pranayama is a breathing technique used in yoga that will give your lungs the maximum amount of oxygen by inhaling and exhaling completely. Bhastrika in Sanskrit means ‘to bellow’. This clears all blockages in your body and clears your mind.

Procedure

• Sit in a meditative posture, cross-legged, and with hands placed on the knees.
• Close your eyes, and focus on inhaling and exhaling completely. Exhale to the maximum capacity with both nostrils, and inhale as much air as you can through both nostrils. Do not use the mouth to breathe.
• After each inhalation, do not hold your breath for any length of time, and move into exhalation smoothly. Inhalation and exhalation should therefore follow each other in quick succession, but always in control.

Duration

The pranayama should be performed 30-40 times in a cycle or according to one’s capacity. Try and perform two or three cycles of this pranayama every day.

Advantages

• The exercise corrects the balance between the three doshas.
• More pure air goes into the body during this exercise, and more impure air is removed.
• All your cells, tissues, tendons, arteries and veins will get rejuvenated and you will feel fresh and energetic.
• Your lungs, brain and endocrine glands will remain healthy for as long as you practice this pranayama. Loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation and asthma could also be brought under control.
• Your mental tension will subside and you will acquire peace of mind.

It will help in your spiritual awakening by stimulating the power of your chakras and your kundalini.