Bahya Pranayama

Bahya Pranayama is called external retention of breath. In this Pranayama, you inhale forcefully, exhale and then hold your breath (retention). This is one of the important respiration techniques that helps in balancing your energy system. It reduces most of the abdominal issues like acidity, gastric problems, and constipation hernia. It is beneficial for diabetics,  improves concentration and cures reproductive organs. Bahya Pranayama should be practised on an empty stomach. To get full benefits of this respiration technique, you should do it along with the three bandhas or locks. Patients with heart ailments and blood pressure and pregnant women should avoid this breathing technique. To learn more about Bahya Pranayama, read the full article below.

 Here are some of the benefits of practising Bahya Pranayama regularly: 

• Helps reduce gastric problems like constipation, acidity, ulcer and hernia

• Improves digestion

• Helps immensely control diabetes

• May help cure issues related to the reproductive organs

• Increases concentration of the mind

• May cure the urethra and urinary tract problems

• Helps reduce blood pressure

For completely working out your lung muscles and improving breathing you should include other pranayama like Anulom Vilom Yoga, Bhramari, etc in your yoga routine.

Understanding the stages of this Pranayama is very important, if you are a beginner. While practising Bahya Kumbhaka Pranayama, you have to take care of three types of locks or bandhas. They are:

• Jalandhara Bandha: This lock is complete when you bend the head and touch your chest with your chin.

• Uddiyana Bandha: When you pull the stomach completely inwards to the back, this bandha completes.

• Moola Bandha: When the bottom portion of the navel is pulled in to achieve the root or throat lock, this bandha is completed.

When all three locks are applied, you can call it a complete round of ‘Bahya Pranayama’.

It is recommended to practice this breathing technique for two to five minutes daily everyday. If you are a beginner, you should perform Bahya Pranayama at least 3 to 5 repetitions at a time. Advanced practitioners can perform up to 11 repetitions.  During winters, advanced practitioners can do up to 21 repetitions.

Here are some things to keep in mind while practicing Bahya Pranayama: 

• In the beginning, try to practise Bahya Pranayama in the presence of a yoga teacher.

• Bahya Pranayam should be performed only on an empty stomach.

• Always try to practice it in the morning or in the evening.

• Patients with cardiovascular and high blood pressure should avoid practising this pranayama.

• Pregnant women should not practice Bahya Pranayama.

• Women shouldn’t do this pranayama during periods.

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