types of pranayama

Different Types of Pranayama and Its Major Benefits

In a very simple language, Pranayama signifies controlling your breath. Moreover, there are various types of Pranayama in which every breathing pattern is different from the other. Let’s dive straight into learning the different types of Pranayama exercises. The daily practice of Pranayama comes with some major benefits .

Types of Pranayama

Natural Breathing

The way each person breathes without disrupting its natural flow is natural breathing. The main purpose is to make you aware of your breath. Further, concentrating on your breath helps you focus on how you breathe or what is your breathing pattern.

Abdominal Breathing

Your diaphragm is located in your abdominal region. In this type of Pranayama exercise, you breathe in your stomach/belly/abdomen. For easy focus, you can position one hand over your stomach to ensure you are breathing into your abdomen region.

Ujjayi

It is one of those types of Pranayama in which you breathe through your throat. Further, a humming sound produces while practicing Ujjayi breathing. Hence, a person sitting beside can easily hear your breath. Therefore, it is a mixture of breath and sound.

Bhastrika

Bhastrika Pranayama comes under very forceful types of Pranayama exercises. In this type, you simply breathe in gently until your lungs are full. Then, with a sudden force, you exhale out. It helps in flushing out all the stale air out of your lungs.

Bhramari

Start with a slow inhale through your nose. Then, you have to make the ‘M’ sound while exhaling. Make sure you do not strain when you exhale. Also, you can even block your ears to increase the sensation of vibrations within your body.

AnulomVilom

It is one of the most practiced and simplest types of Pranayama. All you have to do is breathe in through right nostril while blocking the left with your finger. Then, block the right to exhale through the left.

That is a half cycle. Now, breathe in through which you just exhaled while blocking the right. Then, breathe out of the right. That completes the first cycle. It is one of the best yoga breathing exercises for beginners.

Yogic Breathing

In yogic breathing, you use your abdomen, chest, and clavicular region. It is used for practicing the maximum number of inhale and exhales to purify the system. Further, yogic breathing combines the expansion of the abdomen, chest, and neck area to the maximum.

Deep Breathing

As the name suggests, it means inhaling as deep as possible. You can either breathe into your lungs or chest. When you exhale, you need to breathe out slowly allowing your body and mind to relax completely. Thus, it is the perfect type of exercise of yoga for seniors beginners.

The above-mentioned are just a few types of Pranayama exercises. Let’s know about the major benefits of practicing Pranayama. Keep reading.

Major Benefits of Practicing Different Types of Breathing

• Heals headaches or migraines
• Calms your mind completely
• Boosts oxygen capacity in your body
• Improves cardiovascular functioning
• Purifies your mind and body
• Removes negative entities
• Enrich each cell of your body with oxygen
• Makes you conscious
• Flush out stress and anxiety, and much more.

Wrap Up

As you can see, there are so many types of Pranayama you can practice. The best thing about this is that you won’t be getting bored anytime soon. Further, you can always experiment with different types of Pranayama exercises to choose the one that suits you the best.

In case you find it difficult, you can always search for the best yoga teacher training program. This helps you learn each module of breathing exercise in greater depth. Hence, practice Pranayama to open the circuits of your brain and body.