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The main pranayama techniques are nine in number. Namely,  

The main pranayama techniques are nine in number. Namely,  

# Nadi shodhana

# Nadi shodhana: A is a practice whereby the pranic channels are purified and regulated, it is a prelude to all the other Pranayamas.

# Bhastrika

# Bhastrika: The practice is so called because the diaphragm movement here imitates a pair of bellows and fans the internal fire, creating physical, pranic and psychic heat.

# Kapalbhati (also a shatkarma)

# Kapalbhati: This pranayama invigorates the entire brain and the centres responsible for subtle perception and insight. It is also a cleansing practice and is therefore, listed as a shatkarma.

# Shitali/Shitakari

# Shitali/Shitakari: These two practices are designed to reduce body heat. They cool both the body and mind.

# Bhramari

# Bhramari: This practice is so called because the practitioner imitates the same deep, low pitched humming sound as that of the black bee. It is used in nada yoga to awaken awareness of the inner psychic sounds.

# Ujjayi

# Ujjayi: Ujjayi is one of the simplest Pranayamas. It is also known as the psychic breath as it induces a meditative state and leads to very subtle states of mind. It is an indispensable part of many meditative techniques such as mantra japa, ajapa japa, kriya yoga and prana vidya.

# Murccha

# Murccha: Murchha means 'fainting' or 'swooning'. This pranayama is intended to arouse the feeling of unconsciousness and is best learnt under expert guidance. It also expands the consciousness, awakens bindu chakra and helps in storing prana.

# Surya bheda  

# Surya bheda: It pierces or purifies pingala nadi and stimulates Prana shakti. It activates the sympathetic nervous system and associated physical and mental states.

# Chandra bheda

# Chandra bheda: This pranayama pierces ida nadi and fills it with shakti thereby facilitating a predominant stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system and right brain hemisphere.

Some of these pranayamas increase heat, some cool the body down, some stimulate, while others harmonize and relax the nervous system.<ref name=":9" /> Therefore, based on their functions, there are different ways of describing the types of Pranayama viz.

Some of these pranayamas increase heat, some cool the body down, some stimulate, while others harmonize and relax the nervous system.<ref name=":9" /> Therefore, based on their functions, there are different ways of describing the types of Pranayama viz.

Kapalabhati is an important part of Shatkarma or Shatkriya, the yogic system of body cleansing techniques.<ref name=":4" /> The speciality of Kapalabhati is that it cleanses both the body and the mind using just the breath. It is highly useful for mind detoxification and purification. Another interesting factor is that Kapalabhati reverses the normal course of breathing making expiration an active process and inspiration a passive process. This is believed to induce the reverse flow of nerve impulses to and from the brain facilitating the stimulation and awakening of the [[Chakras (चक्राणि)|centers]].<ref name=":3" /> Kapalabhati also improves digestion and increases Agni.<ref name=":8" />

Kapalabhati is an important part of Shatkarma or Shatkriya, the yogic system of body cleansing techniques.<ref name=":4" /> The speciality of Kapalabhati is that it cleanses both the body and the mind using just the breath. It is highly useful for mind detoxification and purification. Another interesting factor is that Kapalabhati reverses the normal course of breathing making expiration an active process and inspiration a passive process. This is believed to induce the reverse flow of nerve impulses to and from the brain facilitating the stimulation and awakening of the [[Chakras (चक्राणि)|centers]].<ref name=":3" /> Kapalabhati also improves digestion and increases Agni.<ref name=":8" />

=== Balancing Pranayama ===

=== Balancing Pranayama ===

Since it is a forceful practice, caution is advised for people with weak constitutions so as to not aggravate pitta.<ref name=":8" />

Since it is a forceful practice, caution is advised for people with weak constitutions so as to not aggravate pitta.<ref name=":8" />

=== Cooling Pranayama  ===

=== Cooling Pranayama  ===

Shitakari is another cooling Pranayama that follows the same procedure as Shitali. The only differences being, while inhaling, the sound produced is like "see" and there is no rentention of breath. It is immediately exhaled through the nostrils. Its benefits are also similar to shitali. It clears heat from the head and cools the emotions.<ref name=":8" />

Shitakari is another cooling Pranayama that follows the same procedure as Shitali. The only differences being, while inhaling, the sound produced is like "see" and there is no rentention of breath. It is immediately exhaled through the nostrils. Its benefits are also similar to shitali. It clears heat from the head and cools the emotions.<ref name=":8" />

=== Laya or Silencing Pranayama ===

=== Laya or Silencing/Tranquillizing Pranayama ===

Hypoventilating techniques are generally tranquillizing Pranayamas. They are slow and subtle, and their effect is more or less opposite to hyperventilation. They reduce the metabolic rate as well as the frequency of brain waves, leading to relaxed meditative states. Thus, one experiences a greater sense of control over the nervous system.<ref name=":9" />

Hypoventilating techniques are generally tranquillizing Pranayamas. They are slow and subtle, and their effect is more or less opposite to hyperventilation. They reduce the metabolic rate as well as the frequency of brain waves, leading to relaxed meditative states. Thus, one experiences a greater sense of control over the nervous system.<ref name=":9" />