What is Sheetali Pranayama?

In this article, we discuss What is Sheetali Pranayama? This Pranayama is also known as Cooling Breath Pranayama. The Sanskrit word “Sheetali” means cold. Doing this Pranayama your breath become cool and then overall your mind and body become cool. Your nervous system becomes cool, you feel better and enthusiastic throughout the day when you perform this Pranayama in the morning.

What is Sheetali Pranayama?

Sheetali pranayama calms and soothes the mind-body organism by activating a powerful evaporative cooling mechanism on the inhalation, delivering a gently cooling energy to the deep tissues of the body

The practice of sheetali pranayama can be indispensable in cases of hot weather, intense physical exertion, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, hot flashes, heated emotional situations, and other heat-inducing circumstances. Before practising this Pranayama prepare and relax by doing some Yogic breathing or Nadi Shodhan Pranayama.4 Methods of Nadi Shodhan Pranayama. What is Nadi Shodhan? Let us understand the methods of Sheetali Pranayama?

Method:

Step 1.: Choose a Clean and calm place to perform Pranayama

Step 2.: Sit on your yoga mate with “Padmasana” or “Siddh asana” or “Sukh asana” (Cross legs position) where you can sit comfortably long time. You’re both hands on your knees with Gyan mudra.

Gyan Mudra

Step 3.: Keep your spine, neck and head straight line.

Step 4.: Fold your tongue in such a way it looks like a tube.

Step 5.: Inhaling breath (Purak) with this tongue-tube. As if you are breathing through a straw.

Step 6.: Take a full breath into your lungs up to your throat.

Step 7.: Do Antar Kumbhak for some seconds (hold your breath inside).

Step 8.: Fold your tongue backwards and shut your mouth.

Step 9.: Keep your neck down such a way that your chin touches your chest and do Jalandhar Bandh.

Step10.: After 10 – 15 seconds release the bandh and do Rechak (Exhale breath gently from both nostrils).

Step11.: This way your one set (Chakra) is complete.

Note: While inhaling breathe from the mouth keep your focus on your nose tip.

Time:

Perform for 5 to 10 minutes.

Benefits:

• Your blood becomes purified.
• Balances excess pitta.
• Cools the body and clears excess heat.
• Kindles the digestive fire and promotes optimal digestion.
• Mitigates hyperacidity in the digestive tract.
• Soothes inflammatory skin conditions.
• Helps to calm inflammation throughout the body.
• Calms and soothes the mind, supporting mental tranquillity.
• Benefit for Hyperactive people.
• Remove constipation.

 Caution.:

Do not perform this method very fast.

Do not perform when you are feeling tired.

Do not perform who are suffering from cold.

FAQs.:

We know What is Sheetali Pranayama? Let us discuss general doubts.

Q1: Who can do Pranayama?

Ans: Anyone can do Pranayama from 18 age to 99 years of age provided.

A person not suffering from any health-related issues does not perform.

Pregnant ladies are not to perform pranayama or take advice from a medical practitioner.

Q2: Is Pranayama beneficial for weight loss?

Ans: Yes definitely.

Q3: How many times practice this Pranayama?

Ans: Sheetali Pranayama performs up to 10 to 15 minutes.

Q4.: When should practice this Pranayama?

Ans.: Any suitable time morning or evening.

Q5.: Can this Pranayama do after a meal?

Ans.: No never perform Sheetali Pranayama after meal.

Q6.: Is this Pranayama can do before a meal?

Ans.: Yes, you can do Sheetali Pranayama before a meal but do a relaxing Asana like Shavasana after performing this Pranayama then take a meal at least after 15–20 minutes.

Q7.: Can students perform Sheetali Pranayama?

Ans.: Yes, Why not? It is very beneficial for memory power.

Q8.: Can this Pranayama perform in winter?

Ans.: No, As this is a cooling breathing technique, one should not perform in winter.

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