Yoga for Beginners: Sheetali Praniyama or The Cooling Breath

01/15/2010 | 12:00 AM

It’s easy to take the many benefits of breathing for granted. After all, our bodies seemingly do our breathing for us, subconsciously and regularly. But actively practicing proper breathing can have a number of positive effects on both your body and your mind. Proper breathing is proven, for example, to enhance concentration and lower stress. We recommend the regular practice of Sheetali Pranayama, also known as “cooling breath.” Sheetali Pranayama lowers the body’s temperature and energizes the mind. Practice this 10-minute breathing technique every morning for 5 days in a row in order to experience a new level of internal cool and calm.

Directions:

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position, keeping your spine straight.
Inhale deeply and exhale slowly; repeat twice.
Roll your tongue, curling the sides in towards the center to form a tube.
Stick out the end of your tongue between pursed lips (your lips should form a small “o”).
Inhale slowly through the tube of the tongue. Exhale slowly through the nose.
Repeat 5-10 times.

Note: If you cannot roll your tongue, instead simply breathe through pursed lips.