Winter Yoga: Breath of Fire

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed

The practice of Yoga is multi-faceted and flexible. A Yoga practice can be geared towards increasing energy, improving flexibility or ameliorating symptoms of insomnia. Additionally, a balanced practice of Yoga poses, breathing exercises and complementary spiritual practices can be modified to address seasonal fluctuations in both physical and emotional health. There are many different ways to modify and customize a Yoga practice, in order to tailor the practice to a specific individual and/or to balance out the conditions of the current season. 

For instance, in the summer months, a cooling and regenerative practice may help to dissipate excess heat and calm the body and mind, whereas a seasonal practice for the cool autumn months may be composed of heating and strengthening asanas and pranayama exercises, which help to warm and energize the body. In the springtime, many Yogis and Yoginis find that a practice of cleansing and detoxifying asanas and pranayama exercises help to release any stagnant energy, or tamas, that may have built up over the long, cold winter months.  

In the winter, it is often ideal to practice a balanced series of heating and strengthening Yoga poses and breathing exercises. Of course, this will depend on the needs of the individual and the climate where you are living. If you are living in an area that is warm throughout the year, you may find that you prefer a more cooling practice or to alternate a between a heating and cooling practice. For those of us who do live in temperate areas, where the winters are quite cold, a heating series of Yoga poses and breathing exercises help to keep the life force energy invigorated and to reduce stagnant energy, in both the body and the mind. 

* Breath of Fire or Agniprasana

The Breath of Fire pranayama exercise is a wonderful way to flush your body and mind with fresh oxygen, while you break up and release tension throughout your being. This Kundalini Yoga breathing exercise is also said to help elevate your mind to a sattvic or pure state, as it releases negative and dimming thinking patterns and beliefs. In addition, the Breath of Fire is very warming and helps to balance the endocrine system. Practicing the Breath of Fire in its advanced form, with the incorporation of different internal locks or bandhas, is best learned from a certified Yoga teacher. The Breath of Fire is often practiced at the beginning of a Yoga class, in order to generate heat and energy for the practice to come, or at the end of a Yoga class, just prior to meditation and Shavasana. 

When you are ready to practice Breath of Fire, come to a comfortable seated position on your Yoga mat or on a chair with your spine erect and your feet flat on the floor. If you are sitting on your Yoga mat and your hips are tight, place a folded blanket underneath you for comfort. If you are sitting on a chair and your feet do not reach the floor, place a pillow under your feet, so that your feet rest flat on the pillow. Before beginning the practice of Breath of Fire, take a few deep breaths. Remember to inhale and exhale completely and fully. When you are ready to practice Breath of Fire, place your palms lightly on your knees. 

With your next inhale, gently press down on your knees, as you fill your lungs up to their full capacity with your breath. With your next exhale; contract your diaphragm in towards your solar plexus, as you release the pressure on your knees. Continue breathing in this way for five to ten breaths, and then rest for a few breaths. When you are ready, continue with one or two more rounds of five to ten breaths. When you have completed three rounds, pause to feel the warming and energizing effects of Breath of Fire, before continuing on with the rest of your Yoga practice. 

Virginia Iversen, M.Ed, has been practicing and studying the art of Yoga for over twenty years. She lives in Woodstock, New York, where she works as a writer and an academic support specialist. She is currently accepting Yoga and health-related writing orders and may be contacted at: enchantress108@gmail.com.