Sheetkari Pranayama - Hissing Breath
Sheetkari Pranayama, hissing breath, is a powerful cooling pranayama (breath practice) that anyone can do. It helps to bring down the temperature of the body and calms the mind at the same time. A variation on sheetali breath, the tradition cooling practice, sheetkari is perfect for those who can’t roll their tongues. It also has added health benefits that sheetali does not. This practice can be done anytime throughout the day to help manage stress and overwhelm, although it is best suited for hot climates and summer months.
What To Do
- Sit in any comfortable upright position.
- Place the tip of the tongue on the top of the mouth.
- Gently press the top and bottom teeth together.
- Pull the lips away from the teeth.
- Inhale through the mouth.
- Close the lips and pause for a moment.
- Exhale through the nose.
- Repeat 7-10 times.
Modifications
Avoid this practice if you have any kind of infection in the mouth, throat, or tonsils, or low blood pressure.
Benefits
- Helps to cool the body temperature.
- Works to reduce inflammation in the body.
- Stimulates digestion and elimination of food and toxins.
- Assists in reducing high blood pressure and fever.
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Nourishes the nervous and endocrine systems.
- Increases mental clarity.
