Bhastrika Pranayam

Bhastrika is a Sanskrit word meaning 'blower'. In our body lungs does the job of blowing air in and out. Hence the name itself suggests that Bhastrika Pranayam is done by inhaling and exhaling like a blower i.e. quickly and forcebly. And the the air should be filled in lungs. Bhastrika Pranayam is a very good Pranayam and should be done daily for about 5 mins.

Method - How to do Bhastrika Pranayam.

Sit in a comfortable Asana with back upright. Breathe in through both the nostrils forcefully till the lungs are full and diaphragm is stretched. Then breathe out forcefully also, but see that the abdominal cavity does not blow up due to the air breathed in. So one cycle of bhastriaka pranayam include exhalation and inhalation performed quickly and forcefully. Depending on the individual the speed and number of repetitions can be done. For beginners the speed should be low, but as ones practice increases speed of inhalation/exhalation can also be increased.
Note:- Exhalation and Inhalation done with same amount of force. Air to be filled in lungs and not in stomack. So no stomack movement, only chest/lungs movement.

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayam.

The benefits of Bhastrika Pranayam are as follows:-

Diseases like cold, cough, allergy, asthma, respiratory diseases of all kinds, are cured.
Lungs become strong and due to the heart and head getting adequate quantity of pure and fresh air, health is improved.
Diseases of the throat like thyroid, tonsils and other ailments of throat are cured.
Blood is purified and the body gets rid of foreign objects and toxins.
Stabilizes Prana and calms mind and helps the upward journey of Prana from Muladhara Chakra (Base Chakra) to Sahsrar Chakra(Cerebral Gland) and helpful in the Kundalini Jagran.

Special Note:-

One must do Bhastrika Pranayam for the duration of three to five minutes every day
While breathing in the abdominal area should not blow up. You have to fill the air in the chest area, i.e. up to lungs, so that the part of the chest with its ribs swells.
Those suffering from high blood pressure or from any heart disease should not do Bhastrika Pranayam.
In summer season, reduce the number of repititions of the Pranayam.
While doing Bhastrika Pranayam keep both the eyes closed and mentally silent.