Simhasana Pranayama, also called the Lion’s Breath, involves inhaling through the nose and forcefully exhaling from the back of the throat.
The exhale is accompanied by widely opening the mouth and extending the tongue in the direction of the chin, rolling the eyes in an upward movement, and a roaring sound of the breath.
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This Pranayama breathing technique is called Lion’s Breath because it’s traditionally practiced in Lion Pose (“Simha” means “Lion” in the Sanskrit language, and “Asana” means “Posture”) — that is, sitting with the buttocks on the inner arches of the feet and with the arms stretched forwards leaning with the hands on the knees or ground.
Nonetheless, the exercise can also be done seated in Lotus pose or even standing. It’s sometimes also performed while simultaneously engaging in the Maha Mudra exercise.
The benefits of Simhasana Pranayama include release from physical, emotional, and mental stress and tension, stimulation of the face nerves and muscles, breath warming and increasing inner heat, strengthening of the upper chest region, neck, lungs, throat, and voice,
It’s additionally said that Lion’s Breath also opens up the Vishuddha Chakra (Throat Chakra), which is a Prana energy transformation and distribution center located near the throat.
The Throat Chakra functions as a purification and detoxification center, and is associated with creativity, wisdom, truth, inspiration, learning, clear speech, communication, and self-expression.
Typically, the exercise is carried out three to seven times.
