Agnisara is a unique Pranayama whose description is as follows : “The student site with crossed legs and inhales deeply. Then with a forced exhalation he empties the lungs as much as possible. After the exhalation, he keeps the breath out for a few moments without inhaling. In this condition, his diaphragm is raised naturally to the thoracic cavity and he can manipulate the abdominal muscles. Again, as long as his diaphragm is in the raised position, he pumps the abdominal muscles inward and outward in a quick succession. In each round, when he empties his lungs, he pumps fifteen to twenty times without inhaling. This is one round. A student can practice ten rounds daily”
Agni sara should be practiced with normal breathing patterns and using the lower abdominals, not the stomach muscles. It is best practiced when the stomach and bowels are empty, typically early in the morning.
The physical benefits of agni sara range from strengthening the core muscles to improving the digestive system, but it also has many emotional, spiritual and mental benefits, including:
- Reduces anxiety
- Energizes the mind and spirit
- Builds confidence
- Promotes enthusiasm
- Encourages steadiness and resolve
- Activates prana energy and draws it upward
Breathwork India 