How to do weather-friendly pranayama?

Do you do pranayama according to the weather?

Pranayama is a great activity of Ashtanga yoga. Should this be do after the asana? And it is appropriate to do it according to the season.

You can do Pranayama in winter, summer or rainy season. But some are beneficial in autumn and some in summer. It is beneficial to do them according to the season. How to do weather-friendly pranayama? And why is it necessary to do them? These questions will be answer in this article.

Pranayama and favourable weather.

There is an unlimited store of energy in our body. But this happens in the sleeping state. Yoga can awaken it. The energy of our body protects us from the side effects of the weather.

This energy is awaken by regular practice of yoga. A new yoga practitioner (Beginner) should do Pranayama according to the weather. Let us understand this in detail.

What is the favourable season?

Regular yoga practice awakens the energy of our body. It is the energy of the body that protects us from the bad effects of the weather. Let us see what are the weather-friendly Pranayama?

Some Pranayama is beneficial in winter and some in summer, there are many Pranayama which can do in every season.

Why weather-friendly Pranayama?

Maharishi Patanjali gives a formula in Yoga sutra: –

ततो द्वद्वानभिघात:।।यो.सूत्र 2.48।।

That is, no duality (cold-heat, happiness-sorrow etc.) affects when the yoga is perfect. It means that the weather does not affect the ‘Siddha-Yogi’. All seasons are favourable for him. That’s why they do all Pranayama in every season.

But the weather can affect the average yoga practitioner. That’s why it is important to keep the weather in mind while doing Pranayama.  Pranayama should to do according to the weather. Because some Pranayama is favourable in winter and some in summer.

Harm due to adverse weather (opposite) Pranayama.

It is not proper to do Pranayama against the weather. Pranayama which gives heat to our body, doing them in the summer season can be harmful.

Similarly, some Pranayama gives coolness to the body. Therefore, doing them in autumn can cause harm.

That’s why it should always kept in mind that do not do any action against the weather.

Winter friendly Pranayama.

In autumn our body needs more energy. Therefore, in this season, only those activities which give heat to the body should to do.

This Pranayama is prohibited in the summer season, It is beneficial to do them only in autumn. Let us see which Pranayama is beneficial in autumn.

1. Bhastrika.

This is one of the best Pranayama to do in autumn. It is an energy giving process to the body.

(Visit our other articles to know method, benefits and precautions in detail)

Method :-

•     Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana.
•     Keep the spine and neck straight.
•     Keep both the hands on the knees.
•     Inhale and exhale through both the nostrils. Inhale and exhale rapidly.
•     Start at a slow pace first. Increase the speed gradually.
•     Do whatever you can.
•     Slow down the speed gradually.
•     Come back after doing whatever you can. Make breathing normal.

Do Ujjayi Pranayama after Bhastrika. It increases the benefits of Bhastrika. (See next Blog:- How to do Ujjayi Pranayama? )

Benefit :-

• Gives energy to the body in autumn.
• Keeps the balance of Kapha, Vata and Pitta.

2. Sun Piercing.

This Pranayama affects the Surya Nadi. The Surya Nadi gives heat (energy) to the body. In this Pranayama, long deep breath have to take from the right nostril. And after holding the breath as per your capacity, exhale through the left nostril.

Method :-

•     Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana.
•     Keep the waist and neck straight.
•     Make Pranayama Mudra with left hand in Gyan Mudra and right hand.
•     Close the left nostril with the third finger.
•     Take a long deep breath through the right nostril.
•     Stop breathing as much as possible. And exhale from the left side.
•     It’s a complete cycle. For the second cycle, do purak through the right nostril and rechak through the left nostril.
•     Similarly do 4 or 5 repetitions.
•     Finally, normalize breathing.

Benefit :-

•     The solar pulse is affect.
•     The body gets heat.
•     Establishes balance with Chandranadi.
•     Beneficial in low blood pressure (Low-BP).
•     Effective in Kapha-dosha.

Caution :-

A person with high blood pressure should not do this.

(See our other article to know about Surya Bhedi Pranayama in detail)

Summer friendly Pranayama.

We need coolness in hot weather. That’s why we must do activities that give coolness in this season. Which Pranayama is beneficial in this season?

1. Sheetali Pranayama.

This is the Pranayama that gives coolness to the body. Must do this in the summer season.

Method :-

• Sit in the position of Padmasana or Sukhasana.
•     Keep both hands in Gyan Mudra.
•     Close your eyes softly.
•     Stick out the tongue a little. Give the shape of a tube by folding the tongue from both the sides.
•     Inhale through the tube of the tongue.
•     After filling the breath completely, stop the breath as much as possible.
•     Bend the neck and touch the chin to the chest (Jalandhara Bandha).
•     Straighten the neck after stopping as much as possible. Exhale through the nostrils.
•     This is a recurring fulfillment. For the second repetition, inhale again through the tube of the tongue. Stay in the inner Kumbhak as per your capacity. And exhale through the nostrils.
•     Do 5 repetitions like this. Or do according to your ability.

Benefit :-

This is the Pranayama that gives coolness to the body.

2. Sitkari Pranayama.

This is also a favourable Pranayama for summer.

Method :-

•     Sit in padmasana or a comfortable position.
•     Keep hands in Gyan Mudra and eyes softly closed.
•     Tie the upper and lower jaws (teeth) by applying pressure.
•     Touch the tongue to the palate. Keep lips open.
•     Inhale from between the teeth and supplement it.
•     After breathing completely, apply internal Kumbhaka and Jalandhara Bandha as per your capacity.
•     After stopping according to your ability, straighten the neck. And exhale through the nostrils.
•     This is one cycle complete & Similarly do other rounds as per convenience.
•     In the end, make your breathing normal.

Benefits :-

This is also a cooling Pranayama.

3. Chandrabhedi Pranayama.

This is the best Pranayama to affect the chandranadi. This nadi gives coolness to the body. This is a favourable Pranayama in the summer season.

Method :-

•     Sit in the position of Padmasana or Sukhasana.
•     Keep the left hand in Gyan Mudra.
•     Make Pranayama mudra with the right hand.
•     Close the right nostril with the thumb. Take a long deep breath through the left nostril (Chandranadi).
•     After inhaling completely, close the left nostril as well.
•     Stay as much power as you can in a full breath.
•     After stopping according to capacity, exhale from the right side.
•     This is a recurring completion. For the second repetition, again inhale from the left. Hold the breath as much as you can and release it from the right side.
•     Similarly do other rounds as per requirement.
•     Finally, normalize breathing.

Benefit :-

•     Chandranathji comes under influence.
•     The body gets coolness.
•     Balances with Suryanadi.
•     Beneficial in Pitta dosha of the body.
•     Beneficial in high blood pressure.

Caution :-

People with low blood pressure should not do this. This pranayama can also be harmful in Kapha Dosha.

Pranayama to do in all seasons

Which Pranayama is prohibited in summer, don’t do it in summer season, and it is prohibited in winter, don’t do them in winter, Rest all Pranayama can do in every season.
Some main Pranayama which can do in every season.

1. Kapalbhati Kriya.

Mainly it is a purification process, but it can be also as Pranayama, this Pranayama can do in every season, it will affects the cranial part.

Kapalbhati also affects the respiratory system.

Method :-

•     It is best to sit in Padmasana to do this action. If you cannot sit in Padmasan, then sit in a comfortable position.
•     Keep the waist and neck straight. Keep hands on knees and eyes softly closed.
•     Supplement breathing at a normal pace and exhaling at a rapid pace. Exhale by inhaling the stomach. Focus only on exhaling.
•     Come back after doing whatever you can. Normalize breathing.
•     Do Anulom Vilom after Kapal Bhati.

Benefit :-

•     This activity can do in every season.
•     It is the best action for the purification of the skull part.
•     Lungs are active.
•     There is a balance in Kapha, Vata and Pitta.

2. Anulom Vilom.

This is a simple Pranayama. Everyone can do this, Anulom Vilom must do after Kapalbhati.

Method :-

The method of this Pranayama is very simple.

•     It is best to sit in Padmasana. If you cannot sit in Padmasan, then sit in Sukhasan or any other comfortable position.
•     Keep the left hand in Gyan Mudra.
•     Close the right nostril with the thumb by making Pranayama Mudra with the right hand.
•     Take a long deep breath through the left nostril.
•     Close the left nostril. Exhale from the right side.
•     After exhaling completely, inhale from the right side.
•     After filling the breath completely, exhale from the left side.
•     This is a recurring completion. Do other repetitions in the same way.
•     Finally, normalize breathing.

Benefit :-

• Increases the benefits of Kapalbhati.
• The brain will affect.
• Balance should be maintain in Suryanadi and Chandranadi.

This is a simple Pranayama, this can be do in all types of weather.

3. Bhramari.

This is also a simple pranayama & can do in every season.

Method :-

• Sit in padmasana or a comfortable position.
•     Bend both the hands from the elbows.
•     Bring both the palms in front of the face.
•     Place the first two fingers in front of the eyes.
•     Place the bottom two fingers below the nostrils in front of the lips.
•     Close both the ear holes with both of the thumbs in such a way that the outside sound is can't heard.
•     Take a long deep breath (supplement the breath).
•     Hum the sound of um-um-um---- from the throat. Keep your mouth shut.
•     Do the sound till the breath becomes completely empty (rechak).
•     When the breath is completely empty, then supplement the breath. And hum till the breath becomes laxative.
•     Do repetitions as per convenience.
•     Keep in mind that only the sound of your hum should be hear.

Benefit :-

•    Hearing power increases.
•    There is an experience of peace.
•    The brain comes under influence.

4. Nadishodhan.

This is the best Pranayama to purify the pranic channels, this can be do daily.

Method :-

•     Sit in padmasana or a comfortable position.
•     Keep the left hand in Gyan Mudra.
•     Make Pranayama posture with the right hand and close the right nostril with the thumb.
•     Take a long deep breath through the left nostril.
•     After exhaling completely, close the left nostril as well.
•     Hold the breath and apply internal Kumbhak.
•     After holding the breath according to capacity, exhale from the right side.
•     After exhaling completely, supplement the breath through the right nostril.
•     After inhaling completely, close the right nostril. And empty the breath (laxative) from the left side.
•     This is a recurring completion.
•     Similarly do other repetitions according to your capacity.

Benefit :-

•     Pranic channels are purified.
•     Lungs become active.
•     The respiratory system is strengthen.
•     The heart gets confirmation when the body gets sufficient amount of oxygen.

Caution :-

If the condition of the breath is not good, do not apply Kumbhak. Respiratory patients and heart patients should not do this.

Summary :-

In yoga practice, one should do Pranayama according to the weather. In your Pranayama group, you must do at least one Pranayama according to the season. Adverse (reverse) action of weather can be harmful. Therefore, in the season in which the action prohibited should not to do.

Disclaimer  :-

Our aim is not to cure any disease. Our aim is only to create awareness towards Yoga. Do all yoga activities according to the capacity of your body.