How to Do Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire & What are its Benefits?

Dog Breathing is also called “Panting Dog Breath of Fire”. As the name suggests, it is a breathing exercise which is advised to be done just before the final relaxation Yoga pose e.g. Shavasana.

Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire cleanses and detoxifies the body by repetitive breathing. It sends oxygen to the brain thereby strengthening the body and makes you feel more alert.

How to Do Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire?

How to Do Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire?

To do Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire

  • Sit in Vajrasana i.e. bend on your heels such that the hips rest on the sides of feet.
  • Lean a little forward.
  • Rest your hands on the knees.
  • To perform Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire, open your mouth wide and stick your tongue out as far as it can go.
  • Start Panting the way a dog pants. All the breathing will take place from the mouth while doing Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire.
  • While exhaling, the stomach is supposed to be contracted in just like it does in Kapalbhati yogasan.
  • Do not force any muscles to contract while exhalation as it will automatically happen when you will pant like a dog.
  • The stress will be on exhalation with a very subtle inhalation during Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire.
  • Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire should be very quick and spontaneous.
  • You may feel strange by the metallic taste coming on the back of your tongue while performing Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire. Don’t get alarmed as this is your body excreting the toxins and plunging them out of your body.
  • The Inhales and exhales while doing Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire should be even in depth, time and force.

Duration of Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire

  • Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire should be ideally practiced for 1- 5 minutes.
  • If 1 minute is too stressing for the beginners, start with 15- 20 seconds and gradually reach up to 1 and then up to 5 minutes.

Benefits of Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire

  • Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire cleanses and detoxifies the body while expelling the toxins out from deep inside your tissues.
  • The sharp contracting movements of abdominal muscles while practicing Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire strengthens them.
  • Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire is beneficial in preventing fat deposition in the abdominal area.
  • Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire is beneficial in improving the respiratory capacity while preventing the person from catching any respiratory disorder if practiced regularly.
  • Dog breathing strengthens overall system and improves the body’s immunity.

Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire Tips

  • While doing Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire If you start feeling giddy at any point while performing dog breathing, please take a 15- 20 seconds break.
  • Do not stress the body or overdo the exercise beyond your capacity.
  • Always perform Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire just before the relaxation pose.
  • Drink plenty of water after finishing the yoga session if you have practiced Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire as it will further help in excreting the toxins and waste products out of the body.
  • Dog Breathing should be included in your daily yoga practice by looking at the pollution in the environment these days.
  • Do not hold back or feel embarrassed to perform Dog Breathing or Panting Dog Breath of Fire exercise as the benefits will empower your body. So, just throw yourself in the pose and get cleansed.
Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 2, 2017

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