Sitali Pranayama – Cooling Breath

Sitali pranayama is a cooling breathing technique. It’s benefits include regulating the nervous system, cooling and calming down, reducing inflammation and bringing calmness and peace. It is an ancient practice that yogis used to cool the body when it was hot and sunny.

The breath begins with rolling the tongue into a “u” shape. The rolling of the tongue allows the air to pass though the moist saliva on the tongue, and this cools the inside of our body. It is genetic, and not everyone can roll their tongue, but there are other options. See the video for a demonstration and an alternative to the tongue rolling.

Doron uses sitali pranayama when he feels his asthma start to kick in. Asthma is an inflammation, and the cooling effects of this breathing system helps calm and cool the inflammation. For more on Yoga with Asthma, check out this full article on Yoga for Ashtma and this guide on using yoga to overcome asthma symptoms.

If when sitting to meditate, the mind is racing, then try doing 10 rounds of sitali, and then go back to meditating.

Practice a minimum of 2 rounds to begin feeling the benefits, though completing 12 rounds is much better for long lasting results.