Cooling yourself with Sheetali Pranayama

Pranayama, which are series of breathing techniques were part of day to day life of Indians till few decades back. Many religious rituals involved pranayama so while saying their daily prayers twice in the day children were doing pranayama as a part of their rituals and it came naturally to them. Gradually ritualistic worship is no longer in vogue. People just go to temple and ask the priests to offer their prayers.

When I talk to people in the workplace or those known to me, I find that they all have heard about pranayama. They know that it has to do with breathing though not sure about how to go about it. Thanks to Swami Ramdev, pranayama has been again popularized in India in last few years.

Most of us now that pranayama are yogic breathing exercises which are practiced by yogis. Pranayama is practiced to build up lung power and control and then it stills the mind and and helps the yogi climb the spiritual ladder faster. Pranayama also has many physical benefits.

Most of the pranayama involves breathing through the nose, but there are few pranayamas where breathing is done through the mouth. Sheetali pranayama is one of them. This pranayama cools down the body, so it should be done in summers. Since breathing will be done through the mouth it is advisable not to practice this in polluted places.

Steps to practice Sheetali Pranayama

1. Sit straight in a stable position like Vajrasana on Padmasana.
2. Stick out your tongue and fold it so that it creates a small circular passage for the air to pass.
3. Inhale slowly from the mouth so that air passes through this passage.
4. Now close the mouth and exhale through the nose.

Practice this for 5 minutes slowly. Later when you gain expertise you can retain breath after inhalation and then slowly exhale.

Do not practice this pranayama if you are suffering from cold, throat problem or other lung diseases or in the winters.