Pranayama for inner energy

Hi Ilse, I have filmed a short explanation of Mulha Bandha for women and it will be up in the future (not sure when!). The concept of Bandha can be a bit elusive, so don't worry too much about performing the lock well, it comes with practice and the more you connect with yourself the easier it becomes. Thank you for practicing yoga with me :-) Francesca x

Hi Brin, it's better to do less cycles than to end up struggling. If you feel that you can't do 20 strong exhalations, start with only 10, then move to 15 and build it up that way. Maybe repeat this video a few days in a row and you will see your breath and energy increasing gradually. Never struggle with the breath, and always take your time after a strong pranayama to get back to normal calm abdominal/diaphragmatic breath. Let me know how you get on :-) Francesca x

Thanks to all and enjoy your pranayama - daily practice is especially beneficial to increase the overall energy stored at a deep level. I have just filmed a short tutorial to develop Moola Bandha and it's dedicated to women. It will be up soon enough :-)

@Judy: You can practice this in one session. You might find that your lungs become a bit tired and that you might struggle a bit - please back off when any sense of uneasiness starts to arise. Go back to an unrestricted abdominal breath where you gently welcome the breath through the nose and down to the lower part of your lungs and enjoy the peaceful effect. This pranayama is for those with a sense of their breath already developed, so it can be a bit tiring at first. I hope you'll enjoy the transformative effect of Pranayama :-) @Sandra: When you start to become more comfortable with your breath, and with your moola bandha, you will be able to hold a gentle root lock throughout your pranayama session. It gradually becomes a bit more subtle and there isn't a huge effort to hold moola bandha anymore. That comes with practice and awareness. Engaging moola bandha has a deeper energizing effect and it is recommended especially during breath retention, as well as during a regular pranayama practice. Enjoy!

Thank you all, so glad you enjoyed this pranayama practice! @Anastasia: Yes, this practice will most likely help to recover from exhaustion for its uplifting and energizing effect. Do it gently though, maybe start with only one round followed by some gentle abdominal breath. Let me know how you get on :-) Francesca x

Thank you, Francesca! This was awesome.

Lovely class, thank you.

thank you :) I was wondering how long can we practice this one in a session?

Very helpful, thank you!

Thank you Francesca, really felt the increase in prana and sense of peace...:) Is it recommended to keep the moola bandha also engaged during the ujjayi breath?

Francesca, I run out of breath by the 20th time I do the strong exhalations and I end up inhaling a bit too towards the end. Is that OK? Thank you!

Thank you Francesca! I look forward to your new video. Namaste.

Thank you Francesca, it felt great. Is this the breathing you recommend for exhaustion and to support the adrenal glands (adrenal fatigue)? Namaste.

Wonderful practice, thank you Francesca. I'd never have tried this were it not for "21 mornings of Yoga" programme, so thank you for pushing me beyond my comfort zone.

That was great! Thank you, Francesca!

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I would love to learn more about the Bandhas! Thank you for this

Great practice I'm ready for my day! Thank you Franseca.

each practice of this class leaves me in ' a lovely space', as you say. Thank you, thank you, thank you

This was a lovely practice, I feel so calm now. Thank you ?