Q&A for How to Do Pranayam

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  • Question
    What are the benefits of pranayam breathing?
    Ira Israel
    Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist
    Ira Israel is a Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist who has been in private practice for over 14 years. He specializes in teaching others about happiness and authenticity. Ira teaches sold-out Happiness and Authenticity workshops at Esalen Institute and Kripalu Center and has written over 400 articles on psychology, philosophy, Buddhism, yoga, film, art, music & literature for The Huffington Post, Good Men Project, Mind Body Green, Thrive Global, and Medium. Ira is also the author of How to Survive Your Childhood Now That You’re an Adult: A Path to Authenticity and Awakening. He attended The University of Pennsylvania and has graduate degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
    Licensed Counselor and Psychotherapist
    Expert Answer
    Pranayam breathing helps ease you out of your flight-or-flight instincts when you're feeling overstimulated. For instance, it could help you work through some anxiety you're experiencing while traveling in a car or on a plane.
  • Question
    What is the best pranayam to help me deal with asthma?
    Community Answer
    Kapalbhati and anulom vilom are very useful for asthma.
  • Question
    What type of Pranayam is useful for feeling active for today's work?
    Community Answer
    All Pranayama are equally effective in relieving stress, so you could do any type that you choose.
  • Question
    When we should do Pranayam?
    Community Answer
    The best time is in the morning, around 45 minutes before eating breakfast.
  • Question
    I have bilateral sensory-neural hearing loss; what type of yoga or meditation is best?
    Community Answer
    Practicing AnulomaViloma, Kapalabhathi, or Bramari Pranayma for 15 minutes daily helps to treat hearing problems.
  • Question
    Will these breathing techniques help with COPD?
    Community Answer
    Yes, pranayama practice is used to help with treatment of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease.
  • Question
    What is the best pranayam for a high altitude area?
    Community Answer
    Taking into consideration the thin air and lower oxygen level, Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing) is a good choice.
  • Question
    Which Pranayama is good for different kinds of mental disorder?
    Community Answer
    All Pranayama can be practiced and are effective; Udgeeth Pranayama for this case.
  • Question
    Can I do this while I am pregnant?
    Community Answer
    You can do anulom vilom, Bhramari Pranayam, Bahya Pranayam, and Bhastrika Pranayam only. Don't try to do forced exhalation.
  • Question
    What type of pranayam is good for mental stress?
    Community Answer
    Any out of six is good, but if you are comfortable with it, kapalbhati prayanam is best. At first, don't do it more than 2-5 minutes. After a month or two, increase it 15 minutes. The best time to do this is morning (1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunrise).
  • Question
    What posture should be kept during pranayam?
    Community Answer
    The best posture is to do the prayam sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat on the floor. However, if you have issues with your back or for any other reason you cannot sit on floor, you can sit on a chair and do the pranayam that way too.
  • Question
    Can this help in lowering blood pressure?
    Community Answer
    Yes, kapalbhati and anulom vilom are useful for almost all diseases.
  • Question
    Will this help me with concentration?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will.
  • Question
    Which pranayam is good for loss of weight?
    Community Answer
    15 minutes of Kapalbhati would help. Besides, you have avoid meat of any kinds and practice vegetables more.
  • Question
    Can I practice Pranayam any time of day?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but for best results make a fixed time slot for it.
  • Question
    Can I do pranayam in the evening if I have no time in the morning?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you must ensure that you have not taken any food for five hours before pranayam.
  • Question
    Does it help in weight loss?
    Community Answer
    Definitely! Your thyroid will become healthy, which in turn will increase your metabolism.
  • Question
    Is pranayam helpful for ovarian cancer?
    Community Answer
    Pranayam is helpful for all kinds of cancer. You must practice it daily. Just don't do anything that causes discomfort.
  • Question
    What's the best place to do meditation?
    Community Answer
    Ideally, you should perform pranayam somewhere in nature - near a waterfall or beach, in the mountains, in the park, or in any other green space.
  • Question
    What's the best pranayam for spiritual experience?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    Any pranayam can be helpful for cultivating a more spiritual focus and experience. However, ujjayi (ocean breath) in particular is known for increasing psychic sensitivity.
  • Question
    Should I practice all types of Pranayam everyday?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    Different types of pranayam are more helpful for specific situations. For example, if you are feeling angry one day, you may opt for Simhasana (Lion's breath) rather than Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing). However, there is certainly no harm in practicing multiple types per day. Just make sure to rest and return to regular breathing for at least 5-10 minutes after each round of pranayama.
  • Question
    how much time is ok between two consecutive pranayam?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    After practicing one type of pranayam, you should take enough time for your breathing to fully return to normal before starting a new pranayam. If you ever become dizzy or lightheaded, take a break and return to normal breathing for a few minutes or until the feeling passes.
  • Question
    What is the best pranayam for heart disease?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    Ujjayi (Ocean's Breath) can be helpful for those with heart problems. However, those with heart problems should avoid fast breathing exercises, including Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath). You may also want to avoid Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing).
  • Question
    How do I find out which pranayam to do if I had surgery?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    Any deep breathing exercises can be risky for those who have recently undergone surgery. You should check with your doctor to figure out which pranayams and breathing exercises are safest for your specific surgery.
  • Question
    How do I prepare myself for the practice of pranayam?
    Alexandra Gradwohl
    Community Answer
    Begin by sitting in a comfortable position. For some pranayams, you can also choose to lie flat your back on top of a yoga mat or blanket. Then prepare by bringing attention to your regular inhales and exhales. It can be helpful to place one hand on the belly and the other on the chest to ensure that the diaphragm moves downward as you inhale (puffing out the abdomen) and moves upward when you exhale (causing the abdomen to fall).
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