Cooling breath therapy

 Cooling Breath Therapy – Sheetali Pranayama

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The word “sheetali” means cooling in Sanskrit, it is taken from the original word “Sheetal” which is soothing or cold. The practice of sheetali breathing calms the mind, reduces the stress or fight – flight response. It cools the body and mind, The blood pressure is also lowered. This pranayama is very effective in hyperacidity or even ulcers.

How to do Sheetali Pranayama (The Cooling Breath)?

    1. Sit in a comfortable asana with palms on the knees.
    2. Roll the tongue from the sides so that it forms a narrow tube. The tongue is folded from both the sides and the edges almost meet at the center on the top.
    3. Breathe in slowly. First fill the abdomen, then the chest and finally the neck region. This is the complete yogic breath.
    4. Pull the tongue inside the mouth and close the mouth.
    5. Bend the neck forward to do the chin lock, also called the Jalandhara Bandha
    6. Hold the breath for some time, as much as you are comfortable
    7. Release Jalandhara Bandha and exhale slowly through the nose
    8. This is one round of Sheetali Pranayama. One can do as many rounds as you may feel comfortable.

Benefits of Sheetali Pranayama (the Cooling Breath)

  1. The action of pulling the air through the tongue creates a cooling effect on the body.
  2. Sheetali relaxes the body and the mind.
  3. According to Hatha Yoga Pradeepika, Sheetali can cure colic, enlarged speen, fever and disorders of the bile.
  4. Sheetali can also remove hunger and thirst.
  5. Gheranda Samhita describes Sheetali as the giver of Bliss. The text says that Sheetali removes indigestion, phlegm and bilious disorders.