Swasanakriya (Breathing Posture)

After doing Savasana we enter into the asanas proper. A beginner in Yoga can practice the following asanas during the first week:

                                           Swasanakriya

Swasanakriya (Breathing Posture) is a very simple asana. Lie down on the mattress with the body fully stretched. Keep the legs close to each other, so that the heels and the toes of both touch each other. Now, Place the hands on either side of the body, touching the thighs, with the palms facing down. Keep the mouth shut and eyes open. Now take breath (through nose only) slowly, and simultaneously lift up the hands. Move them backwards taking care to keep the distance between them same (not going converged or diverted). As the hands come at the back of head, place them down with the palms facing up, touching the ear of both sides. At this stage your inhaling is complete and lungs are full. Keep for 1 minute and lift up the hands and bring them slowly down to the former position. As you lift up the hands start exhaling. By the time the hands reach the former position the exhale process is complete. If at all some air is remaining in the lungs, expel out fully. Now one Swasanakriya is complete. Do it 10 times.

Benefits:--

1. Both the lungs get fully opened up and air enters into all chambers equally well.

2. Lungs will expand naturally.

3. All tissues of the body get richly oxygenated blood (Vital prana).

4.The asana is good for Asthma and Bronchitis. First bring the diseases under control by proper medication and then start with the asana. They will never return.