Bahya Pranayama {Benefits, Steps, and Full Guidance}

 

What is Bahya Pranayama/External Pranayama?

The word Bahya in Sanskrit is known as external or outside. In English, the actual meaning of the work Bahya Pranayama is known as the outside breathing. Whereas the word pranayama in yoga means “outer breath”. This is mainly the exercise for breathing. Here one of the yogis who is performing the task needs to inhale very deeply and then exhale with a great speed and hold that position for some seconds.

Yoga of the Pranayama has mainly had 3 types they are the poorak, rechak, and kumbhak. Here in this asana, the poorak is the main factor which is mainly the inhalation. The exhalation is termed the rechak. Thus the practice of the Bahya Pranayama is generally done by people who want to get rid of certain factors in their life and want to develop concentration, want to get rid of any sort of digestive problems, etc. In this article, we will learn more about the Bahya Pranayama and what are the steps involved in it. Also, there are too many informative points regarding the Bahya Pranayama which we shall learn in this article.

Steps of Bahya Pranayama:

The Bahya Pranayama is beneficial in several ways and is very helpful for people who are performing this act. But it should be performed under strict precautions and under the guidance of any doctor or experienced yogi. The steps to perform this is written below and following these steps will lead you to perform the asana or the yoga in a better manner. There are so many problems that can be eradicated by the practice of this yoga. The steps to perform Bahya Pranayama are:-

• Take your yoga mat and sit on a padmasana(lotus pose) position. If you are unable to sit in this position then choose a very easy and flexible position to sit on and perform the asana. Next close your eyes and keep the spinal cord straight and tall. Then slowly close your eyes and try to concentrate.
• The next step is to start taking slow breaths where you will inhale and exhale but very slowly and steadily. One will not force any sort of activity here at this stage and the entire process will be very slow with eyes shut.
• The kapalabhati pranayam must be performed at least 3-5 times and in a very slow manner until the body is accustomed to it and is in a very relaxed position.
• At this stage as you have exhaled slowly try and hold your belly inside at the navel position and try and hold on to this position.
• The next step is to pull the stomach under the rib cage as much as the body takes and there should be no pressure.
• Hold the bandhas for at least 10-15 seconds and exhale slowly.
• First, as you reach this stage do release the chin followed by the anus muscle. Then Slowly inhale and exhale and continue to do so very slowly.
• Repeat this process slowly at least 5 to 6 times and then slowly increase with each passing day. The ratio to hold and release the inhaling and exhaling of the breathing is given. Follow the ratio to get the best as well as good and proper safe results.
• As we proceed and come to an end one must surely rest in a very relaxed position. Before starting a complete relaxation an easy position is required.

As you follow these steps the best results for the Bahya Pranayama will be achieved. Also, the steps written above will give one the best clarity in performing yoga and will make the entire learning process very easy.

Practice Place for Bahya Pranayama:

The perfect place for any sort of yoga has to be a very silent place and a place that is very close to nature. The best places can be near a river, lake, and hill or somewhere around nature. For practicing in one’s room then one can turn the room into a place that is filled with plants and a beautiful atmosphere. This will help one to practice and have the best effects. Also if one enrolls in any sort of school which is specialized in Bahya Pranayama then that place is the best place o practice as it will give expert advice along with perfect learning.

Perfect Time for Bahya Pranayama:

The perfect time to perform any sort of pranayama is cool mornings or evenings. The hot summers should be avoided for such types of asana and practices. Also, the best season for the Bahya Pranayama is spring or autumn which is the season of Vasanta Ritu / Sarad Ritu because of the pleasant weather that it has. The best time thus is April/March as it gives the best benefit to the body during this time of the year. Hot summers can have an adverse effect and thus the Bahya Pranayama should be avoided at this particular time of the year. Also, in the mornings and evenings when the stomach is empty the asana can be performed to get the best and most fruitful results.

Duration for Bahya Pranayama:

Initially one must take it slowly and steadily. No extra effort and extra pressure must be taken because this might cause harm. Thus initially 3-5times a day can be a good idea. But if there is any sort of health problem then the intensity can be reduced. As one turns into an expert the practice leaves can be increased and one can perform 21 times per day t most. The exact duration can vary from 2-5 minutes as one practices this yoga or asana. Any kind of difficulty must be taken seriously and the Bahya Pranayama should be immediately stopped.

Benefits of  Bahya Pranayama :

There is plenty of benefit of the Bahya Pranayama and when it’s done regularly the results are the best. One when in practice will get rid of all the abdominal complaints or problems like acidity, gas, constipation, etc. These types of problems are eradicated with the practice of this asana. Alongside abdominal problems diseases that are related to reproductive organs are also cured, and the concentration level is also improved with the practice of this yoga. If any male is having any sort of sperm-related issue practicing this will surely help, also the asana completely cures a diabetic patient followed by self-enlightenment. There are plenty of other benefits o this pranayama and we shall learn about them below.

Abdominal Organs

The Bahya Pranayama is very helpful and has a positive effect on the abdominal organs that are abdominal organs like the stomach, kidney, spleen, uterus, and liver, as it supplies fresh blood to them. This keeps the abdominal organs out of any sort of disorder or problem. Practicing the Bahya Pranayama will keep all these organs healthy and one will remain healthy as well.

Diabetes And Digestion

With the regular practice of this yoga and the Bandhas, the insulin release is controlled which is very beneficial for diabetics. This keeps the organs healthy and in a good position which helps in controlling problems like acidity, indigestion, hernia issues, etc.

Concentration

Like any other Pranayam, this also reduces the stress level in any person who is performing the asana regularly. This asana helps in improving the concentration level and increases willpower to some extent.

Meditation

One of the best asanas to restore self-enlightenment is the Bahya Pranayama. This helps in meditation, improves the power to concentrate, and also releases the extent of CO2, and increases the level of O2. This helps in a healthy, fresh and positive mind.

Respiratory System

This helps in bringing out all the dirt and impurities that are there in the respiratory system thus cleaning it and keeping it healthy.

Ratio For Bahya Pranayama:

The ratio of doing Bahya Pranayama is very important to get the perfect result out there. The ideal ratio is thus 2:5:2 which in general means if one is taking four seconds for inhalation then ideally he or she should take ten sec in exhalation and hold the breath out and finally again four seconds for inhalation. Doing this in this form will help one perfectly.

Precaution for Bahya Pranayama:

Alongside all the benefits one must and about the Bahya Pranayama, one must also know the precautions that are required while doing yoga. The precautions are really important because if they are not taken any sort of accident might occur. Thus the precautions are:-

• The pranayama should be done on an empty stomach.
• The pranayama can be fatal if the entire process is not known.
• People who suffer from heart or blood pressure problems should not do this.
• Pregnant women or women in their menstrual cycle should not do the Bahya Pranayama.
• Before one does external Bahya Pranayama one must learn to breathe for at least 10-12 seconds or must start with BhastrikaPranayama and then proceed.

For more details regarding the practice join the yoga school in Rishikesh and start with their beginner level 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.