Before attempting any pranayama technique, one should spend the first week of their practice on this preliminary breathing exercise which will help them to open up the three sections of the lungs fully. This is simplest form of breathing.
- Sit in any comfortable meditation posture, preferably padmasana.
- Keep the head and spine upright.
- Relax the whole body and close the eyes.
- Observe your natural breathing
- Feel the breath flowing and out of the lungs. Let the breathing be natural.
- Feel the abdominal movement while breathing.
- While inhaling, let the abdominal wall move out and while exhaling let it move in.
- Keep your mind clear, only 'observing' your breathing.
- While inhaling, feel the power and energy flow and while exhaling imagine throwing out tension, stress and disease.
- The inhalation and the exhalation according to a ratio from 1:1 to 16:16.
- This breathing provides deep relaxation to the body and mind.
- Strengthens the nervous system and respiratory system
- Improves concentration.
- Relieves stress, depression and hypertension.
