Sitali - Informative & researched article on Sitali
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles Yoga


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine
Yoga : Yoga l Types of Yoga l Yoga Asanas l Patanjali Yoga Sutra l History of Yoga l Mudra l Suryayoga l Bhakti Yoga l Kundalini Yoga l Hatha Yoga l Yoga Institutes in India l Indian Yoga Gurus l Tantra Yoga l Sahaja Yoga l Kriya Yoga l Chakras l Karma Yoga l Yoga Ashramas in India l Pranayama l Japa Yoga l Astanga Yoga l Indian Yogic Philosophy l Properties of Yoga l Yoga Diet
Home > Health > Yoga > Pranayama > Types of Pranayama > Sitali
Sitali
Sitali is named after its unique quality of proving cooling effect to the body of any Pranayamic exerciser.

SitaliAt present, a devoted Yogi practices multitudes of Pranayama, especially Sitali which involves inhalation of air through the tongue and then very slowly expel the air using both the nostrils. The name Sitali, too has a significance. In fact it has been taken from the qualities of cooling and bringing down the heat from one`s own body. It is a feminine word. The method as has been mentioned above, is followed along with certain technical know-how.

As depicted in an ancient Yoga book , namely, Sive Samhita, the exercise of this Sitali Pranayama begins with the tougue being putting forward at about three fourth of an inch. Tongue goes outside the lips. After completing this, the tongue is then doubly folded. Lengthwise it must go both outside and inside his mouth so far so as to create a kind of channel thereby making a tube like structure almost down the upper lips. This automatically enables the outer end of the tongue to make a narrow channel like slop, bending towards the tip of the tongue. With this arrangement, the tongue rightly resembles with the lower portion of the `beak` of any bird. This channel is widely utilized for breathing in air from outside. Once the inhalation finished, the tongue goes back to their normal size and shape. Lips too get closed .

As has been already discussed, the Sitali exercise generates cooling and soothing effect on the body of any exerciser. This effect is created due to the sucking of air through the mouth and not via the nostrils of the nose. Certain things however need to be kept in mind. It is always to be borne that the physiological function of the nose is intended not only for breathing and also for warming the external cool air before it enters the lungs. Due to this sometimes this Sitali exercise can prove to be very dangerous as the air that has been exhaled from outside is neither above body temperature nor far below it. Thus warm air will fail to give the cooling effect, as desired from Sitali exercise. Moreover if the air is far below the body temperature it may affect the lungs in quite adverse manner. Thus it has been advised that one needs to practice Sitali in summer seasons and that too inside a cool cell in an `Asrama`.

(Last Updated on : 3/03/2010)
  More Articles in Types of Pranayama
 
KapalaBhati Anuloma-Viloma Nasagra - Drsti or The Nasal Gaze
Sitkari Sitali Ujjayi Pranayama
Bhramari Agnisara Dhouti Jalandhara Bandha
Murccha Kapalbhati Mula Bandha
Plavani Suryabhedana Bhrumadhya- Drsti or the Frontal Gaze
Uddiyana -Bandha or the Raising of the Diaphragm Bandhas Shitau Pranayama
Recently Updated Articles in Yoga
  • Impact of Yoga on Muscular System
    Impact of Yoga on Muscular System of the human being is instrumental in improving flexibility, steadiness and muscle tone in an individual, through regular practice.
  •  
  • Types of Yoga Mudra
    Types of Yoga Mudra aid an individual to attain overall well being. Yoga Mudra has a remarkable effect on posture and thought process.
  •  
     
  • Types of Mudras
    Types of Mudras are categorised as mudras, eye mudras and others. The different types of mudras support self development. Practice of mudras enables one to balance mind and body.
  •  
  • Exercises for Swadhisthana Chakra
    Exercises for Swadhisthana Chakra involves various asanas like mediation and Goddess Pose. These yoga asanas help in activating the chakras.
  •  
  • Yoga Exercises of Mooladhara Chakras
    Yoga Exercises of Mooladhara Chakras encompasses different types of asanas like Apanasana, Setu Bhandasana, Shalabhasana and Janus Sirsasana.
  •  
    E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
    RSS Feeds
    Forum
    Forum on Yoga

    Free E-magazine
    Subscribe to Free
    E-Magazine on Indian Crafts
     
     
    Sitali - Informative & researched article on Sitali
    Sitemap
    Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
    Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.