According to Yoga guru, Baba Ramdev Bhastrika Pranayama which is also known as Bellows Breathing or Bellows Breath or Deep Breathing is practiced first in pranayama breathing exercises. Before going straight into the benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama, let’s understand the meaning of Bhastrika Pranayama and how to do it.

What Does Bhastrika Means?

Bhastrika is a Sanskrit word meaning “Bellows” and “Pranayama” means “vital energy”. Bellow is a tool which is used by the blacksmith. When we practice Bhastrika breathing exercise a kind of sound is produced, which we can compare to the blower/bellows of the blacksmith. That is why this breathing technique is known as Bhastrika.

The real meaning of pranayama is long and deep breath and if you practice it well then it does not cause any kind of harm to you and enhances health, respectively.

3 Types Of Bhastrika Pranayama – Bellows Breath

According to the speed, the Bhastrika Pranayama is divided into 3 types – Regular Speed, Medium Speed, High-Speed. According to body health/stamina, one can practice these types.

Normal speed

In order to breathe regularly, we breathe at a normal pace and will take out breathing. In it, we do not use power. Take 5-10 seconds to inhale and exhale. This speed is suitable for everyone.

Medium speed

The speed of breathing and exhaling is faster than the normal.

High Speed

At high speeds, one has to breathe rapidly and exhale rapidly. High-speed Bhastrika pranayama is suitable only for healthy and fit individuals.

How To Do Bhastrika Pranayama – Step By Step Guide

Below is the step by step procedure of Bhastrika Pranayama. Follow the steps carefully and then practice.

Find a quiet place where the air is fresh and the atmosphere is clean.

Holding the Vayu Mudra (Air Posture), sit in the Padmasana (Lotus Pose) and keep a smile on your face. Do not put any stress on the face.

Exercising by sitting on the east side will give more benefits.

Leave your body loose, do not put pressure on any part of the body and keep your back straight.

Take a deep breath (inhale) and then leave the breath completely. Repeat this process 20 times. After practicing 20 times, practice the Maha Bandha and then relax.

While practicing this, you can pronounce Omkar Japa or Mantras in mind. Think about all the divine powers and energy present in this universe, and feel that I am receiving all the Divine Powers.

Practice this 2-5 minutes per day.

Duration For Bhastrika Pranayam

Bellows Breath increases the oxygen level of the body. But the excessive amount of oxygen is also harmful to the human body, so in the beginning, practice this pranayama only for 2 minutes, do not exceed it. After exercising daily, you can practice it for 5-10 minutes.

The famous yoga guru Baba Ramdev recommends cancer, aids, hepatitis B patients to practice this pranayama for 20-30 minutes. So if you are also suffering from a serious illness, then you can also practice it for a long duration. For a normal or healthy person, 2-5 minutes is sufficient duration of Bhastrika pranayama.

Best Time To Practice

The best time to practice Bhastrika Pranayama is before sunrise. You can also practice Bellows Breath Pranayama before sleeping at night.

Benefits Of Bhastrika Pranayama

Helps eliminate excess and toxic elements from the body, resulting in increased blood purity and physical fitness.

Bellows breathing exercises give relief from spiritual and physical pain.

It helps in erasing all kinds of impurities inside the body.

It strengthens the lung and prevents asthma and tuberculosis.

This practice is beneficial in cough problem.

It gives benefits to good blood circulation.

Bhastrika pranayama improves skin tone and makes you young.

Bellows Breath Pranayam is beneficial in relieving all brain-related illnesses.

It is very beneficial for TB, asthma, and cancer patients.

It enhances the oxygen level of the body.

Bellows breathing benefits those people who are suffering from diseases like stress, anxiety, paralysis, Parkinson, etc.

There are 72 thousand Nadis (veins) in the human body. Bhastrika Pranayam purifies all these veins.

Bhastrika Pranayama is also beneficial in Kundalini awakening.

Precautions While Doing Bhastrika Pranayam (Bellows Breath)

Practice it at a slow, medium, and fast pace according to health/stamina.

The seekers of Kundalini Jagran sit in Vajrasana to practice Bhastrika Pranayama.

If you are still not sure how to do this pranayama, consult Yoga teacher.

Those whose lungs are weak do not do this Pranayam or practice it slowly.

If you have high asthma or fever, then do not practice it.

People suffering from blood pressure and heart disease should not do it fast. If you are suffering from back pain, asthma, heart disease, then do it very slowly.

Do not exercise forcefully, while you feel tired, relax while in the middle.

If you are getting started, then practice Bellows Breath for only 2 minutes. Do not practice it for more than 5 minutes.

If your recent operation has taken place, take the doctor’s advice before practicing this pranayama.

Do not shake your body during breathing and removal

Bhastrika Pranayama Side Effects

Practicing it for a long period can cause dizziness, anxiety, difficulty breathing. If you feel these kinds of symptoms, stop practicing immediately.

FAQs On Bhastrika Pranayama

Question: Why do I feel dizziness after doing Bhastrika Pranayama?

Answer: This is because the energy path of your nerves is unclear and your neural network is not enough to take energy in such a quantity.

Question: Can high blood pressure patients do Bhastrika Pranayama?

Answer: Yes, the hypertension patients can also practice this pranayama.