Types of Pranayama

“Pranayama is control of Breath”. “Prana” is life or soul of the body. On subtle levels prana represents the life energy responsible for life force, and “ayama” means control. So Pranayama is control on life to achieve healthy body and mind.

Five types of prana are responsible for various pranic activities in the body, they are Prana, Apana, Vyan, Udana & Samana. Out of these Prana and Apana are most important.Upward flowing is said to be Prana and Apana is downward flowing.

Types Of Pranayama

Quiet Breathing

Deep Breathing

Fast Breathing Tribandha and Pranayama

Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama

Ujjayi Pranayama

Bhramari Pranayama

Pranayama from Hatha Yoga (Surya Bhedan, Bhasrika, Ujjayi, Shitali, Sitkari, Bhramari, Murchha & Plavini Pranayama)

Type – 1

Open both the nostrils to inhale and exhale with both the nasal passages. This type is nothing but quick breathing with both the nasal cavities. One should inhale and exhale with as much speed as possible and for as much time as feasible.

Type – 2

Set up Pranava Mudra and close the right nostril with the help of the thumb of the right hand, and inhale with left nostril and also exhale through the same nasal passage.

Type – 3

In type-3 left nostril is to be closed and the quick breathing is done with the right nostril.

Type – 4

In type-4 close the right nostril, and inhale with the left nostril, and then immediately close left nostril and exhale with the right nostril. In this way try quick breathing by changing the nostrils.

Type – 5

In type-5 breathing is just opposite the previous one, the left nostril is closed and inhaling is done with the right nostril, then immediately closing the right nostril, exhaling is done with the left nostril.

Type – 6

In type-6 breathing is designed by combining previous two types, first inhale with left nostril and exhale with right one, then inhale with right nostril and exhale with left nostril. Now continue inhaling & exhaling with left and right nostrils alternately. Further switch to fast breathing by increasing the speed of breathing.

In the starting one should start with eleven cycles of breathing, later it should be increased to one hundred and twenty one. Then the breathing will become a part of daily practice of other Asanas, practice it for two to three minutes. All these types can also be practiced with slow inhalation and exhalation. This is simply a preparation of the actual practice of Pranayama.