Bahya Pranayama or External Kumbakha

Bahya Pranayama or External Kumbakha

Kumbakha is the retention of breath. In this pranayama, the breath is retained outside for a longer duration than inhalation and exhalation. The ratio of inhalation, exhalation and retention is 3: 6:12

Steps

1. Sit in a cross-legged position.
2. Inhale through the left nostril, by closing the right to the count of 3.
3. Immediately exhale through the right nostril to the count of 6.
4. Retain the breath outside or in other words remain breathless to the count of 12.
5. Repeat the pranayama with the same count from the right nostril.