Types of Pranayama

Kapalabhati is a breathing technique used specifically for cleansing. It removes mucus from the air passages, relieves tension and clears blockages in the chest. This is achieved via deliberately breathing faster, and at the same time using only abdominal breathing, not chest breathing.The breath is short, rapid, and strong using the lungs as a pump,and creating so much pressure to clear air passages, from the lungs up through the nostrils. Kapala means "skull," and bhati means "that which brings lightness." Kapalabhati is a good thing to do when feeling heavy or dizzy in the head. For problems with the sinuses or numb feeling around the eyes, kapalabhati can also be helpful.

The kapalabhati and bhastrika breathing techniques share the same general principle, namely that we clear the nasal passages with the force of the breath. As mentioned under bhastrika, we must be very careful with these techniques because there is a danger of creating tension in the breath. We may also become dizzy when we breathe rapidly; for this reason we always conclude the practice of kapalabhati with some slow breaths. It is important not to breathe rapidly too many times, but after a few rapid breaths take several slow ones in which we emphasize the long exhalation.

Ujjayi (The "loud breathing"): This consists of drawing air in through both nostrils with the glottis held partially closed. Ujjayi translates as "what clears the throat and masters the chest area." This partial closure of the glottis produces a sound like that heard in sobbing, except that it is continuous and unbroken. The sound should have a low but uniform pitch and be pleasant to hear. Friction of air in the nose should be avoided; consequently no nasal sounds will be heard. A prolonged full pause should begin, without any jerking, as soon as inhalation has been completed. Closure of glottis, use of chin lock and closure of both nostrils are standard. Prolong the pause as long as possible; but it should be terminated and exhalation commenced smoothly and slowly. When properly performed, exhalation proceeds slowly and steadily through the left nostril with the glottis partially closed as in inhalation. One may begin to exhale with release of air pressure by lifting the finger from his left nostril, loosening his chin lock and then partially opening his glottis. Exhalation should be complete.

Anuloma Ujjayi: Breathe in through the throat, then completely close one nostril and breathe out through the other nostril, which is only partly closed. Regulate the breathe through the nostril, never breathe through the throat at the same time.

Viloma Ujjayi: Breathe in through the nostril and breathe out through the throat. This technique is used to lengthen the inhalation.

In ujjayi pranayama it is important to follow this rule: When we regulate the breath through the nostril, we never breathe through the throat at the same time. Dirga Pranayama the 3 part breath or complete breath calming and relaxing Dirga Pranayama is called the three part breath because you are actively breathing into three parts of your abdomen. The first position is the low belly (on top of or just below the belly button), the second position is the low chest (lower half of the rib cage), and the third position is the low throat (just above the top of the sternum). The breath is continuous, in and out of the nose. The inhalation starts in the first position, the low belly; then moves to the second position, the low chest; then to the third position, the low throat. The exhalation starts in the low throat, moves to the low chest, and finishes in the low belly. Use your hands to rest on the individual positions to feel the breath rising and falling in each position. You may want to start practicing by individual isolating the movement in each position using the hands. When you have a good feel for the breath moving in and out of each position, practice with out the hands. Eventually relax the effort of the Pranayama and breathe into the three positions gently, feeling a wave of breath move up and down the torso.

Ujjayi Pranayama the victory or ocean sounding breath focusing, grounding, and aids in concentration Ujjayi Pranayama is called the ocean sounding breath because you make an ocean sound by contracting the glottis with the inhalation and exhalation. This Pranayama is done through the nose, but it is helpful to begin practicing breathing through the mouth. To make the ocean sound, whisper the syllable "h" feeling a contraction in the throat. Keep this contraction engaged on the inhalation and exhalation.

After a couple of breaths try to close the mouth, breathing through the nose while still making the ocean sound in your throat. Kapalabhati Pranayama the breath of fire or the skull shining breath invigorating, energizing, and purifying Kapalabhati is a very active, forced exhalation with a passive inhalation. To exhale, the belly quickly pumps into the spine forcing the air out of the nose (like trying to blow out a candle through you nose). Place a hand on your belly to feel the belly actively pumping. Play with the tempo (45-60 exhalations/30 seconds), but keep a steady rhythm. Start with 2-3 rounds of 30 exhalations, and gradually increase the exhalations if comfortable. Pregnancy, menstruation, unmedicated high blood pressure, recent abdominal surgery.

Nadi Sodhana Pranayama alternate nostril breathing balancing, calming, anti-anxiety, and very relaxing Place the right hand in Vishnu Mudra (forefinger and middle finger bent towards the palm; thumb, ring, and pinkie in the air). To do one round: close off right nostril with the thumb and inhale into the left nostril; close left nostril with ring and pinkie fingers, open the right nostril and exhale through the right; close the right nostril again, open the left, and exhale through the left nostril. Continue, doing 5-20 rounds. Sit Cari Pranayama cooling breath cools the body Curl the tongue touching the roof of the mouth as far back as you can to the soft pallet. As you inhale clench the teeth together and slightly part the lips making a hissing "ssss" sound.