Let’s explore Sudarshan Kriya, one of the well known popular paynayama “packages” there:

“Sudarshan kriya yoga (SKY) is a type of cyclical controlled breathing practice with roots in traditional yoga that provides relief for depression, and it is taught by the nonprofit Art of Living Foundation. It has four distinct components.

Detailed descriptions of the four main SKY breathing techniques are as follows.

1. Ujjayi or “Victorious Breath”: This involves experiencing the conscious sensation of the breath touching the throat. This slow breath technique (2–4 breaths per minute) increases airway resistance during inspiration and expiration and controls airflow so that each phase of the breath cycle can be prolonged to an exact count. The subjective experience is physical and mental calmness with alertness.
2. During Bhastrika or “Bellows Breath,” air is rapidly inhaled and forcefully exhaled at a rate of 30 breaths per minute. It causes excitation followed by calmness.
3. “Om” is chanted three times with very prolonged expiration.
4. Sudarshan Kriya which is a Sanskrit term meaning “proper vision by purifying action” is an advanced form of rhythmic, cyclical breathing with slow, medium, and fast cycles.”

Source: NCBI

International Journal of Yoga: Sudarshan Kriya yoga: Breathing for health

^{by  Sameer A. Zope and Rakesh A Zope.}

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