Shitkari is a way of sipping and sucking air through your lips and teeth, along your tongue (after shutting both nostrils) and after retaining air a little then releasing it through your nostrils. It is just like sipping vital breath through a crow-beak. If you practise this Pranayama before the sunrise you will find it far mormore advantageous.
Technique of Shitkari - Sit with crossed legs in Sukhasana or Padmasana.
- Clench your teeth and inhale through your mouth.
- Hold your breath for a while and exhale through your nose.
- Remember to keep the two rows of your teeth touching each other and inhale with a sound like “Si” .
- It can be practiced any time you feel the need to cool down and dampen the fire of excess heat in your system.
This Pranayama should be performed for at least 20 repetitions. Benefits of Shitkari Shitkari has great effect on dyspepsia and is capable of decreasing burning sensation resulting from stomach strong acids. Shitkari also helps in cooling pitta. Shitkari is helpful to all and sundry. However, you should understand that not every disorder can be treated by Shitkari or other Pranayamas. Likewise, there are some conditions under which it cannot and should not be practised. It is also very important to know how Pranayamas work, in order to avoid all possible dangers in its practice. As a part of Yoga, all Pranayamas and especially Shitkari should normally be practiced along with other parts, such as asanas and meditation. This renders better results particularly in the prevention or cure of disorders.
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