Weekly Yoga posture focus: Bhastrika

I really enjoyed having a focus on a yoga asana, and what excuse is there for not doing Viparita Karani at the end of the day - so easy and you feel fantastic coming out of the pose and also a great sleep.

This week I thought I am going to spend a bit more time with a pose that helps to wake up my digestion and inner focus - which has burnt right out after Christmas and all those hot spells. It is a Pranayama Breathing Exercise called Bhastrika or Bellows Breath.
My yoga teacher first taught this breath to me before my first child was born and I haven't thought about it for a long time - I picked up a cheesy looking book from the library called The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and this was the first pose I read about.

Basically it is really quick breathing in the belly through the nose - puff puff and snort snort. Good blood pumping stuff.


Haha - just found a funny video if you are keen to check out the technique for this breathing - wow it is amazing how spending a little time on focused breathing can help make you feel really great!

In my cheesy yoga book too I found a lovely quote; "If you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear." Lao Tzu

Yoga asana for the week

This is Kisen (from a Pure and Simple Yoga; a book I borrowed from the library) he is in Legs up the Wall pose or Viparita Karani.

I have decided to start with my yoga goal of focusing on an asana with a posture I enjoy doing; but don't do enough of and also it is a good quite non-heating pose for the terrible heat we are having.

My yoga teacher once told me this pose, if practiced daily, will lengthen your life - a life giving posture.

More can be read about Viparita Karani, at a site I like to visit by Yoga Journal here


This posture is fantastic for me and my legs which retain water especially in this heat and also washes wonderful blood into my hips; another trouble spot in my body.

It also helps promote peacefulness in the heart and for sleeping - lovely to do just before you jump in bed.