Agnisar Kriya

Agnisar Kriya

Ashtang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga

Niyama

Kriya

Sit in vajrasana and separate the knees as far as is possible, keeping the big toes in contact with each other.
Place the hands on the knees and close the eyes.
Relax the whole body for a few minutes, especially the abdomen.
Straighten the arms and lean forward slightly. Keep the head erect.
Open the mouth wide and extend the tongue outside. Breathe in a panting manner through the mouth with the tongue extended.
Contract and expand the abdomen rapidly, synchronising the movements with the breath.
While breathing out the abdomen should contract and while breathing in the abdomen should expand.
The breathing should be passive, only occurring because the movement of the abdomen is being accentuated.
Keep the chest as still as possible. Do not strain. This is one round.
Relax and breathe normally before starting the next round.

In summer months this practice should be performed with care as it may raise the body heat and blood pressure excessively.
During this period it should always be followed by a cooling pranayama such as seetkari or sheetali.

People suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, acute duodenal or peptic ulcers, overactive thyroid gland or chronic diarrhoea should not perform this kriya.
Women who are more than three months pregnant should refrain from this practice.
However, agnisar kriya may be practised in the postnatal period to tighten up the abdominal and pelvic muscles.

Agnisar kriya stimulates the appetite and removes digestive disorders such as indigestion, hyperacidity, hypoacidity, flatulence, constipation and sluggishness of the liver and kidney.
It massages the abdomen, stimulating the associated nerves, strengthening the muscles and encouraging optimum health of the abdominal organs.
Agnisar kriya stimulates the five pranas, especially samana, and raises the energy levels markedly.
It can also alleviate depression, dullness and lethargy.

Depression