Shitali (The cooling Breath)

This Pranayama is very much beneficial in the spring and in summer seasons. This Pranayama cools the body and the mind. There is not much difference between Sitakari Pranayama and Shitali Pranayama. One should practice this Pranayama for fifteen to twenty minutes daily in the morning.

Procedure for Shitali (The cooling Breath):

• Sit in the position of Padmasana, Siddhasana or Vajrasana.
• Protrude the tongue out and curl it like a pipe.
• Breathe with a sibilant sound (si… si…si…) to fill the lungs completely.
• Hold the breath for as much time as possible.
• Then slowly exhale through both the nostrils.

Advantages of Shitali (The cooling Breath):

• This Pranayama purifies blood relieving the body of toxic elements accumulated in it.
• This Pranayama cures diseases like tumor, enlargement of the spleen, skin diseases, fever, indigestion and constipation.
• This Pranayama quenches (relieves) thirst.
• The poison of a scorpion or snake has no effect on a regular practitioner of this Pranayama.
• This Pranayama is beneficial to persons having hot temperament.
• This Pranayama prevents flatulence, splenomegaly, and excess of bile and cures leprosy.

Therapeutics:

• Thirst
• Skin disease
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Migraine
• Splenomegaly
• Leprosy