Bhastrika Pranayama uses chest muscles to have forceful inhalations and exhalations. Do not get confuse with kapalbhati where we use abdominal muscles for active exhalations and passive inhalations. Whereas in bhastrika both inhalations and exhalations are active and forceful.
Gherand Samhita defines like that as the bellows of the blacksmith constantly dilate and contract, similarly draw in the air by both the nostrils and then expel it out quickly the air making a sound like bellows. Bhastrika means bellows.
Having thus inspired and expired quickly twenty times perform kumbhaka (it automatically gets on) and then expel it like earlier one. Let the wise ones perform this bhastrika kumbhaka thrice; he will never suffer any disease and will be always healthy.
Technique
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Sit in sukhasana or padamasana with erect spine/back. Relax the whole body first and then inhale and exhale by expanding and compressing the chest vigorously like bellows. Initially, the speed of breathing should be approximately 40 - 60 strokes per minute after mastering the bhastrike, it should reach to 120 strokes per minute.
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The breath stops automatically. let the breath suspended as long as possible - Enjoy this automatic cessation of breath.
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Repeat three rounds.
Benefits:
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Cleansing action just like that of kapalbhati
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Freshness and agility
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Reduce overtone and hypersensitivity and thereby functional efficiency of the cells are increased.
