YMCA Breathing Techniques & Pranayama 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Bhramari pranayama is distinguished by which unique feature during exhalation?
- Tongue curling to cool the breath
- A humming sound made at the back of the throat (Correct answer)
- Rapid nostril flaring
- Breath retention before exhaling
Correct answer: A humming sound made at the back of the throat
Bhramari, named after the black Indian bee, involves producing a gentle humming sound on the exhalation, which calms the nervous system.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of Sitali pranayama in yoga practice?
- Energizing and stimulating the body
- Cooling the body and calming the mind (Correct answer)
- Building internal heat for detoxification
- Strengthening the diaphragm through resistance
Correct answer: Cooling the body and calming the mind
Sitali involves inhaling through a rolled or slightly open tongue, which cools the air and has a calming, cooling effect on the body.
Question 3: Which pranayama practice should be used with caution or avoided for students with uncontrolled high blood pressure?
- Nadi Shodhana without retention
- Sitali
- Bhramari
- Kapalabhati with prolonged breath retention (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Kapalabhati with prolonged breath retention
Kapalabhati combined with extended Kumbhaka (breath retention) increases intrathoracic pressure and can raise blood pressure, making it risky for hypertensive students.
Question 4: The Sanskrit term 'Antara Kumbhaka' refers to:
- Breath retention after exhalation (empty retention)
- Breath retention after inhalation (full retention) (Correct answer)
- Forced exhalation technique
- Alternating nostril method
Correct answer: Breath retention after inhalation (full retention)
Antara Kumbhaka is the retention of breath after a full inhalation, holding the lungs expanded before the exhale begins.
Question 5: In Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), which nostril is traditionally used to begin the practice?
- Left nostril — close it first and inhale through the right (Correct answer)
- Right nostril — close it first and inhale through the left
- Either nostril — no traditional starting side
- Both nostrils briefly before switching
Correct answer: Left nostril — close it first and inhale through the right
Traditional Nadi Shodhana begins by closing the left nostril with the ring finger and inhaling through the right nostril.
Question 6: Which muscle is considered the primary muscle of respiration?
- Internal intercostal muscles
- Diaphragm (Correct answer)
- Rectus abdominis
- Pectoralis major
Correct answer: Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that contracts on inhalation and relaxes on exhalation, driving most of normal breathing.
Question 7: Bhastrika pranayama is best described as:
- Slow, cooling inhalations through a rolled tongue
- Rapid, forceful inhalations AND exhalations resembling a bellows (Correct answer)
- Alternating nostril breathing with retention
- Humming on the exhalation only
Correct answer: Rapid, forceful inhalations AND exhalations resembling a bellows
Bhastrika, or 'bellows breath,' involves vigorous, equal-force inhalations and exhalations that increase oxygen and generate heat.
YMCA Breathing Techniques & Pranayama 2
Bhramari pranayama is distinguished by which unique feature during exhalation?