| For about 2 months now, I have been practicing 20 minutes of pranayama exercises every day before I practice an hour of asanas. Lately, I have been feeling a sharp pain on the left side of my chest after I finish pranayama.
Specifically, I do three rounds of Kapalabathi and hold a deep inhale for about 40 seconds after each round. Then I do ten repitions of alternate nostril breathing. During the alternate nostril exercise, I exhale for a count of 8 seconds, inhale for 4 seconds, then hold for 16 seconds.
I don't feel any signficant stress during any of these exercises. And I seem to be improving over time. For example, when I first started, my exhale was very shaky and rough. Now it is much smoother and softer. Also, my sitting posture is much better -- my knees don't cramp up so much anymore, and my spine feels straight and strong.
I believe I am doing the exercises exactly how they showed me at the Ashram, so I don't understand why would I feel chest pain afterwards. I never felt it before, but for some reason, during the last 2 weeks, there is pain.
Particularly if I do a forward bend after the pranayama and simultaneously exhale, the pain is sharp. The pain goes away after about a half hour. But overall, it is not so bad, just annoying. Could I be doing something wrong? |
| Hey starzin:
1. I do not know whether you are listening. But, anyway.
2. Stop all pranayama you are doing.
3. Just do the asana practice for now, within your limits, and keeping one experienced guide for you. Not just one time learning at Ashrama. But, a continuous teacher for contact and questions.
4. I think you are a very positive person and shall come out well.
Best Luck
strazin - 2007-10-23 10:01 PM
For about 2 months now, I have been practicing 20 minutes of pranayama exercises every day before I practice an hour of asanas. Lately, I have been feeling a sharp pain on the left side of my chest after I finish pranayama.
Specifically, I do three rounds of Kapalabathi and hold a deep inhale for about 40 seconds after each round. Then I do ten repitions of alternate nostril breathing. During the alternate nostril exercise, I exhale for a count of 8 seconds, inhale for 4 seconds, then hold for 16 seconds.
I don't feel any signficant stress during any of these exercises. And I seem to be improving over time. For example, when I first started, my exhale was very shaky and rough. Now it is much smoother and softer. Also, my sitting posture is much better -- my knees don't cramp up so much anymore, and my spine feels straight and strong.
I believe I am doing the exercises exactly how they showed me at the Ashram, so I don't understand why would I feel chest pain afterwards. I never felt it before, but for some reason, during the last 2 weeks, there is pain.
Particularly if I do a forward bend after the pranayama and simultaneously exhale, the pain is sharp. The pain goes away after about a half hour. But overall, it is not so bad, just annoying. Could I be doing something wrong? |