Advanced Pranayama Techniques for Enhanced Heating
Surya Bhedana
Overview
Surya Bhedana, delightfully known as the Sun Piercing Breath, is your go-to technique if you’re aiming to rev up your inner furnace. It’s all about exploiting the right nostril for an exclusive warm energy binge. How efficient, right?
Purpose / Effects
Think of this as giving your internal dynamics a generous jolt—a charming charmer of fatigue if you ask the experts.
Instructions
Start by demonstrating your left nostril who’s boss—block it. Breathe in deeply through your right one. Once you feel adequately puffed up, switch gears: close the right nostril and breathe out through the left. This unrelenting cycle of right-in and left-out is your new drill, and don’t you dare stop for at least one to three minutes. Now, if you’re feeling invincible and channeling Mukunda Stiles, venture into antara kumbhaka, that pretentious retention post-inhalation. Tack on mula bandha and jalandhara bandha for added flair. Linger on this glamorous struggle for a cool 30 minutes max. For the more intrepid out there, sprinkle in some bahya kumbhaka and saddle it with uddiyana bandha.
Contraindications/Take Care
Do skim through the General Cautions unless you enjoy surprises.
Breath of Joy
Overview
The aptly named Breath of Joy incorporates elegant arm choreography, along with fragmented inhalations and a dramatically complete oral exhalation, graciously crowned by a forward fold. So refined, no?
Purpose / Effects
Renowned for its ability to catapult your energy into otherworldly realms, this method demands ample breaths and moonlights as an enlivening appetizer for your asana endeavors.
Instructions
Station yourself with feet at hip-width or wider—whatever feeds your sense of balance. Initial inhalation stretches to a meek one-third of your lung capacity, thrusting your arms forward up to shoulder height. Progressive inhalation hits the two-thirds mark as you spread your arms sideways, soft elbows included. Conclude this ambitious inhalation with arms overhead. Let fly a generous mouth-exhalation while bending forward; your head explores space between your legs as your arms fling down past your hips. Repeat this theatrical cycle thrice or perhaps indulge a bit more.
Contraindications/Take Care
Refer to those prudent General Cautions to avoid audacious pitfalls.
Power Hara
Overview
What Amy Weintraub termed “Power Hara,” echoes the rhythmic joy of Breath of Joy albeit with twists and an extra dimension of freedom in arm play. It’s as if “Yoga’s Got Talent” called and offered a guest spot.
Purpose / Effects
This spirited routine electrifies the body, expands your breath like a balloon, and summons a getting-ready-to-asana vibe. Spinal twists earn extra credit for ironing out your back’s tension folds.
Instructions
With your feet stationary and wide, hands bunker down on your shoulders, elbows radioing outward. Gulp in air to half your capacity while melodically twisting left, topping it off with an inhale while twisting right. Exhale with gusto through the mouth on a “ha” note, throwing arms wide while forcefully twisting left with flair courtesy of your right arm. Replicate this left-moving fantasy with your other arm to the right. Secure ten rounds as your target.
If curiosity about further invigorating breathing exercises gets the better of you, brave this link to explore more: Ashtanga Tech.
