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Moksha Exam 2 > Pranayama Labs > Flashcards

Pranayama Labs Flashcards

1
Q

Name all 16 Pranayama

A 
Natural Breathing
Abdominal (Diaphragmatic) Breathing
Thoracic Breathing
Clavicular Breathing
Yogic Breathing
Nāḍī  Śodhana
Sūrya Bhedana
Candra Bhedana
Samavṛtti 
Visamāvṛtti 
Śītalī 
Sitkāri
Bhrāmarī
Ujjayi
Bhastrikā
Kapālabhāti
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2
Q

Natural Breathing Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits
• student becomes familiar with their breathing patterns and respiratory systems
• breath awareness slows down respiration rate and allows rhythmical breathing to establish.

Contraindications - NONE

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3
Q

Abdominal (Diaphragmatic) Breathing Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  • focus is on motion of the diaphragm & minimising motion of rib cage
  • diaphragm - a domed sheet of muscle separating lungs from abdominal cavity
  • usage of the full diaphragm breathing is most efficient type of breathing

Contraindications- NONE

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4
Q

Thoracic Breathing Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits
• engages the middle lobes of the lungs by expanding and contracting the rib cage as you breathe
• uses more energy than abdominal breathing and is often associated with physical exercise, exertion, stress, and tension

Contraindications

  1. acute anxiety or panic attacks.
  2. asthma /disorders of the lungs.
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5
Q

Clavicular Breathing Benefits and Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Allows the lungs to absorb a little more air by pulling the upper ribs and collar bones upwards
  2. Ventilates the upper lobes of the lungs.

Involved in extreme physical exertion or when experiencing obstructive airway diseases such as asthma.

Contraindications

  1. Acute anxiety or panic attacks
  2. Asthma or disorders of the lungs
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6
Q

Yogic Breathing

A

Benefits

  1. Gain control of the breathing
  2. Correct poor breathing habits
  3. Increases O2 intake by max the inhalation and exhalation.
  4. Calm and relax the nerves and the breath.

Contraindications
• Although this breath is beneficial, it should not be performed continually.

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7
Q

Nāḍī Śodhana Alternate Nostril Breath
Morning

Benefits/Contraindications

A 
Benefits
1 Increases the Alpha brain wave state
2. fresh supply of oxygen to body.  
3. Increases vitality 
4. Encourages deep states of meditation and spiritual awakening.

Contraindications

  1. Do not force the breath.
  2. Always breathe through the nostrils and not the mouth.
  3. If there is any sign of discomfort, reduce the ratio of the breath and if necessary, stop.
  4. Avoid breath retention for hypertension
  5. Avoid right nostril breathing only for hypertension
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8
Q

Sūrya Bhedana
sun piercing breath
Morning

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Stimulates brain function
  2. Increases heat in the body
  3. Increases metabolism

Contraindications

  1. high blood pressure or heart disease
  2. Go Slow if you have any experience of discomfort
  3. Do not force or rush the breath
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9
Q

Candra Bhedana
moon shining breath
Early morning

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Increases PSNS
  2. Reduces Heart Rate
  3. Activates the Ida Nadi
  4. Cooling

Contraindications

  1. Avoid: Asthma, LBP, respiratory disorders or difficulty breathing
  2. Avoid: winter or cold day
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10
Q

Samavṛtti
Same Wave
Early morning and/or any time of day

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Improves lung capacity
  2. Increases awareness presence in student/teacher
  3. Reduces stress and anxiety
  4. Benefits students with PTSD and/or trauma

Contraindications
1. Avoid breath retentions HBP/pregnancy

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11
Q

Visamāvṛtti
Irregular/Different Wave
Any time of day

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. improves lung capacity
  2. Increases awareness/presence student/teacher
  3. Reduces stress and anxiety
  4. Longer exhalations increase PSNS response

Contraindications
1. Avoid breath retentions during pregnancy /HBP

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12
Q 
Śītalī  (shitali)
Cooling Breath
-Summertime 
-Warm evenings when unable to sleep 
-Peri Menopausal -After a heated Asana practice

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Cools the body and mind.
  2. Peri Menopausal symptoms / Pre Natal students in summer
  3. Allows Prana to flow freely.
  4. Helps lower blood pressure.

Contraindications

  1. Low blood pressure
  2. Respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis
  3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  4. Chronic constipation
  5. Avoid breath retention (heart conditions/ heart disease)
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13
Q 
Sitkāri
Cooling Breath
-Summertime 
-Warm evenings when unable to sleep 
-Peri Menopausal -After a heated Asana practice

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Allows Prana to flow freely.
  2. Helps to lower blood pressure.
  3. (TMJ) symptoms
  4. Allows muscular relaxation and a sense of tranquillity.

Contraindications

  1. Low blood pressure
  2. Respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis
  3. Chronic constipation
  4. COPD
  5. Avoid breath retention with heart disease
  6. Sensitive/missing teeth/denture practice Śītalī instead.
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14
Q

Bhrāmarī
Humming Bee Breath
Early morning

Benefits/Contraindications

A
  1. Relieves stress, anxiety, and mental tension
  2. Lowers blood pressure
  3. Strengthens the throat and improves voice.
  4. Relieves hay fever when practiced with Bhrāmarī Mudra

Contraindications

  1. Avoid with Ear infections
  2. Avoid breath retention with heart disease
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15
Q

Ujjayi Prāṇāyāma
Victorious Breath
Early morning

Benefits/Contraindications

A
  1. Encourages tranquillity and calmness
  2. Increases heat in the body
  3. Increases PSNS response
  4. Relieves insomnia

Contraindications
heart disease avoid Bandha/ breath retention with Ujjayi.

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16
Q

Bhastrikā
Bellows Breath
Early morning, after Kriya and prior to Meditation

Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Removes toxins through the lungs, bowels, lymph
  2. Increases oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer
  3. Increases the metabolic rate
  4. Massages and tones the digestive system and associated organs

Contraindications AVOID:

  1. HBP
  2. heart disease
  3. hernia
  4. gastric ulcer
  5. stroke
  6. epilepsy
  7. vertigo
  8. diarrhoea/ IBD
17
Q

Kapālabhāti Prāṇāyāma
Skull Shining Breath or Breath of Fire
Kriya
Benefits/Contraindications

A

Benefits

  1. Purifies Idā and Piṅgala Nāḍī
  2. Increase focus and concentration
  3. Prepares the mind and body for meditation.
  4. Massages and tones the digestive system and associated organs

Contraindications

  1. heart disease
  2. high blood pressure
  3. vertigo
  4. epilepsy
  5. stroke
  6. Hernia/ gastric ulcer
  7. First 4 days of menstruation (energy needs to move down)

Moksha Exam 2 (16 decks)

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