Read more about the article Yogic Breath of Fire – Bhastrika Pranayama
SomDhara Bhastrika Pranayama

Yogic Breath of Fire – Bhastrika Pranayama

Pranayama is an important part of yogic life because it opens the doors to subtle energy. Bhastrika pranayama is a heating practice that cleans your channels, removes blockages, and helps activate kundalini energy. Why is it called Bhastrika? Bhastrika pranayama is a traditional breathing exercise of rapid and rhythmic inhalation and exhalation. The Sanskrit word “bhastrika” means “bellows”. The hissing sound created by forceful breathing mimics the sound of a blacksmith’s bellows. Like the bellows gives oxygen to the fire, bhastrika pranayama increases the heat and circulation of prana. Bhastrika vs Kapalbhati Even though the practice of bhastrika pranayama resembles kapalbhati breathing, these two are different in many ways. BhastrikaKapalbhatiPranayama techniqueA cleansing techniqueInvolves the stomach and the entire respiratory systemInvolves the stomach and the diaphragmActive…

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Read more about the article Kapalbhati – More Than Just a Pranayama

Kapalbhati – More Than Just a Pranayama

What is kapalbhati? Just a Pranayam, or more? Kapal means forehead and bhati means to shine. Therefore, the term kapalbhati means a kriya or practice which makes the forehead shines. Even though kapalbhati is a type of pranayama, yogacharyas include this under shadkriyas. Shadkriyas are six cleansing practices which include neti, dhauti, basti, nauli, tratak, and kapalbhati. Kapalbhati is included in the sadkriyas as a cleansing pranayama to keep the respiratory system clean and healthy.   Why Kapalbhati? Prana or vital life force energy enters the body through breathing. If breathing is poor or the respiratory system is compromised by other illnesses like cough, mucous accumulation, asthma, allergies, etc., the body cannot receive the proper amount of life force energy. To maintain proper health of…

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Read more about the article Anulom Vilom Pranayama

Anulom Vilom Pranayama

Anulom Vilom pranayama is known as Alternate Nostril Breathing. It is a type of Nadisodhana pranayama. This is one of the first breathing exercises taught in yogic practices, so it is very common and well-known. Anulom means ‘in a natural direction’ and vilom translates to ‘the opposite or reverse direction’. So this pranayama is simply translated as alternate breathing. We will discuss its exact procedure later in the article, first, let’s look at why one needs to practice this breathing exercise. Why Practice Anulom Vilom Pranayama? The natural way of breathing alternates between two nostrils to maintain harmonized bodily function. At any given time, one of the nostrils has predominant airflow, and the other is partially blocked. In a normal healthy person, the flow of…

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Read more about the article Is Pranayama Just Simple Breathing?

Is Pranayama Just Simple Breathing?

Many of you have heard the word 'pranayama.' However, you may not know what pranayama is. Most people just that pranayama is breathing exercises, and they are not wrong, but there is much more to pranayama than that. In Sanskrit, pranayama consists of two different words: 'Prana' and 'Ayama.' Prana means life force energy, and Ayama means to control or to increase. So the translation means to channel life force energy. Prana Prana should not be confused with the breath itself or oxygen. While oxygen is necessary for survival, infinite oxygen does not mean a never-ending life. For example, if a dying man is using an oxygen tube, that man will not live forever. Hence, oxygen is not everything. On the other hand, prana is…

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Read more about the article Yagya

Yagya

What is Yagya? More than just a ritual, yagya is a symbol of noble deeds based on scientific principles. Ancient Indian Rishis discover a way to remove a negative atmosphere through yagya. Yagya is the best way to awaken the divinity in each heart because the benefits of yagya are very subtle. Through persistent endeavor, it can penetrate the depth of human personality and successfully transform it. The unseen powers which lie hidden within us are awakened and given an organized direction by yagya.  Yagya comes from the Sanskrit root ‘yajan’, which means CollectivenessPraising good qualities Donation Moral teachings from Yagya Yagya teaches us the art of living; whatever we take from the environment, we should give it back after purifying. The fire of yagya…

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Read more about the article Bali-Vaishva Yagya

Bali-Vaishva Yagya

What is Bali-Vaishva Yagya? Before consuming our food, we should dedicate a small part of it to God, and pray to get rid of all kinds of debt. Ancient sages used to carry out a simple Balivaishva yagya, which is a small sacrificial ritual. ‘Bali’ means sacrifice or gift, and ‘vaishva’ means for everyone and everything in the entire universe. In the Hindu religion, offering food to human body is a type of yagya. Food is considered God as our body’s existence depends on it. Our birth, development, and maturity are dependent on food. It is responsible for the formation of plasma, blood, muscles, fat, bones, nerves, bone marrow, and reproductive tissues. But food also has a subtle part to it; apart from affecting the…

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Read more about the article Tapan Kriya: Worship of the Sun

Tapan Kriya: Worship of the Sun

Can we imagine life without the sun? With a rising sun, we feel like being reborn. Everything is filled with new Prana, or life force. The entire nature is blooming and birds are singing. After a dead and calm night, every day is rising with new life energy and opportunities; it is like a victory over darkness. Without the blessing of the sun, there is no light, no heat, no oxygen, no plants, no food, and no animals. In short, there would be no life without the sun. Tapan Kriya is a very simple sadhana to immerse ourselves with the divine rays of the sun. The Law of Giving and Receiving This universe runs on a Law of Giving and Receiving. It is a dynamic…

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