/ Pranayama
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The realms of Kundalini Yoga are as vast as they are beautiful. When you’re starting out your journey, you will begin to learn the art of pranayama. Put simply, this is the practice of breathwork that you can use every day.
Whether you’re looking to improve your mental wellness or hope to create a lasting spiritual connection with the universe, you will find that this is the way forward. Take the time to learn different breathworks that suit you.
Perhaps one of the most effective and simplest is the three-stroke breath. You don’t have to be far along in your journey to start using this wondrous technology. It’s easy to grasp no matter the skills you already have.
Benefits of the Three-Stroke Breath
- Boosts energy and vitality
- Helps to encourage radiance
- Gives a sense of freedom
- Offers levels of mindfulness
- Relieves feelings of stress and anxiety
- Supports your everyday practice
How to do the Three-Stroke Breath
Ready to give the three-stroke breath a whirl for yourself? Before you get started, make sure that you find a comfortable place to sit. For example, you might find that using an empty room with some cushions on the floor works for you. When you are ready follow these instructions to get going:
Position:
Start by sitting in Easy Pose, or any position that feels comfortable to you. Try to keep your spine straight while bringing your chin inward and gently raising your chest areas.
Hand position:
Bring your hands together but don’t interlock your fingers. Make sure that your palms are locked together and cross the thumbs. The fingers on your left hand should wrap around the side of your right hand, while the fingers on your right hand should wrap around the side of your left hand.
When you have adopted this powerful Kundalini Yoga mudra, bring your hand up to the center of your chest. Your hands should sit opposite your Heart Center.
Eye position:
Throughout the three-stroke breath, you should keep your eyes closed.
Breathing:
When you are in the right position, it’s time to start the three-stroke breath. To do so, breathe in through the mouth for three strokes. Each stroke should take one second, meaning that you inhale for three seconds.
With each breath, squeeze the grip of your hands together and then release. Make sure that you remain conscious of your actions when you’re doing this. The active pulse of your hands should make your breath.
Next, breathe out through your nose in one second (or stroke!). You should keep your hands together at this point, but try to avoid squeezing them.
Continue Your Kundalini Yoga Journey!
What are you waiting for? Now that you know all about the three-stroke breath, you can use it as a part of your Kundalini Yoga practice. You may decide to engage in this pranayama before you start the working day. Alternatively, you could use it as a way to relax before you start your bedtime routine. The choice is yours.