Sitkari Pranayam- The Hissing Breathing- Thirst Quenching Pranayama
We learnt in the last weeks article the various reasons why one could suffer from acidity. Sitkari pranayama can help control or even eliminate acidity from your system for good, of course along with a lifestyle change.
Sitkari is derived from the word seetkar that is the brushing sound. Sitkari pranayam enables controlled breathing and calming the mind during meditation and thus slowly converts temperament too. It has quite a soothing effect on the entire nervous system of the human body, especially in stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system which also induces muscular relaxation. In case stressed, practicing sitkari pranayama 5- 10 minutes can calm your mind.
How To Do Sitkari Pranayama step by step
- Sit comfortably.
- Keep breathing normally for a few minutes and relax.
- place upper and lower teeth together and touch your tongue upwards to upper pallet.
- Open your lips and start inhaling deeply through the gaps of your teeth which produces a hissing sound just the way you do when you feel something spicy.
- Hold your breath for few seconds then exhale through the nose.
- Exhalation should be longer approximately twice of the inhalation.
- Repeat this for 10 to 15 times u can go up to 5 to 10 mins.
Benefits of Sitkari Pranayama
- The most basic purpose of sitkari breathing technique is that it reduces the temperature of the body which does have a positive effect on the endocrine glands as well as the nervous system.
- Excellent to beat summer heat.
- The act of sucking air through the gap of teeth gives a cooling effect on the body.
- This pranayama relaxes both the mind and the body.
- Prolonged practice of sitkari works on sleep, eliminates laziness.
- This practice is quite useful in pitta related diseases.
- It is also effective in hyperactivity.
- This practice of Pranayama helps in keeping good health of digestive system.
- helps reduce depression.
- It is quite beneficial in diseases of the spleen.
- High blood pressure patients must practice Sitkari Pranayama.
- when irritability, anger, tension is high, one can practice this pranayama to relax.
- Regulates the secretion of hormones in the genitals, and reduces the mental and emotional effects of lust.
- Complaints of excessive sweating also provide relief.
- This pranayama produces plenty of oxygen.
- This pranayama can be done after all the yoga asanas or exercise ,to eliminate the body’s fatigue.
- helps to sooth the burning mouth ulcers.
Contraindications
- Avoid if you are suffering from soar throat, stiff jaw, inflammation of mouth, cold, cough, constipation or asthma.
- Low blood pressure patient should not practice Sitkari pranayama.
- Avoid practicing in a AC room or winter season.
- Should be done on an empty stomach and in a fresh air.