How to Cooling Breath Prenatal Yoga Position : Yoga Poses

In pranayama breathing, the cooling breath (also known as shitali pranayama) is used to prevent overheating, and is also said to help flush toxins from the body. It is usually practiced during the summer, but for prenatal women, this breath can serve as an excellent technique to practice during those troublesome hot flashes and night sweats.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sit cross-legged on the floor, your back straight and extended. Keep your sitting bones even and square on the floor: you can use either padding or blocks. Lean against a wall, if necessary.

2. Roll the tongue in from both sides, so that it forms a tube. Stick the end of the tongue just barely out of your mouth, between your pursed lips. If rolling your tongue proves too difficult (some people can do it, others can't), just purse the lips so that your mouth forms a small 'o.'

3. Slowly, inhale through the tube of your tongue, like you would when sipping a straw. Inhale until your lungs are completely filled with air.

4. Draw your tongue back, and close your mouth. Hold this breath for as long as comfortable.

5. Slowly, exhale through your nose.

6. Repeat three times. With practice, you can repeat as many as fifteen times.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid this breath if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!