Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated: August 5, 2016, 12:03 PM
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Too tired to work? Yoga can help. We got Deepak Sharma, yoga teacher, Art Of Living, to share yogic breathing techniques or pranayama that can instantly boost your energy and can be as effective as a morning yoga routine.
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Shitkari pranayama or hissing breath: Take a long deep breath through your nose and breathe out through your mouth by making a hissing sound. The exhalation should be longer than the inhalation. The long breath will stimulate the energy flow from the lungs to the other parts of the body.
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Bhastrika pranayama: Sit comfortably in sukhasana. Now, inhale through your nose, making sure your back, neck and chest are straight. In this step, you have to see that your stomach does not expand due to breathing in and your chest expands instead. Hold your breath for a few seconds (five counts) and then exhale forcefully, contracting your stomach. Repeat this cycle 20 times by inhaling in and exhaling forcefully. The sharp breaths of bhastrika pranayama can get your energy levels soaring.
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Madhyam pranayama or breathing from the chest: Stand upright and keep your feet parallel to each other. Keep your mouth closed and take a deep breath counting till 10. Place your hands on your chest. However As you inhale feels your hand move outwards as your lungs expand. Hold your breath for a few seconds and then exhale slowly. Take as much time to exhale as you did while inhaling the fresh air. Repeat the step ten times to reap its benefits.
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Brahmari pranayama or bee’s breath: Sit in sukhasana and place the index fingers of each hand on each ear. Place it on the cartilage between your cheek and ear. Take a deep breath in and begin to hum softly. Extend for as long as you can. Breathe in again and continue the same for 6-7 times and relax. You can practise this 3-4 times in a day. It will help release the blocked energy in your spine.
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Ujjayi pranayama: Sit comfortably in sukhasana. Close your eyes, place your hands on your knees with your palms facing upwards. Tighten your throat and inhale; you should be able to hear a whistling sound while doing so. Next, lower your head so your chin is touching your chest. Hold your breath this way for about four second. Now, straighten your head (back to its original position) and release the constriction of your throat. Do this two to three times initially and then gradually increase the number of repetitions.
