Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath Technique & Its Benefits

This posture resembles that of a seated lion and hence the name Simhasana or Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath.

While practicing the expressions will be changed to resemble that of lion’s expressions and so it is called Simha Mudra.

Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath increases the internal temperature of the body and thus prepares you for further yogasana.

• To start practicing Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath, sit in Vajrasana i.e. bend on your heels such that the hips rest on the sides of feet.
• Widen your knees in Vajrasana and place your hands backwards such that they are seated straight between the legs.
• To perform Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath, close the mouth and seal the tongue against the hard palate.
• Take a deep inhale while keeping the tongue against hard palate and try to relax the shoulders.
• Close your eyes and bring your attention to the third eye while inhaling.
• While exhaling, open the mouth, stretch all the muscles of face and protrude the tongue as far as possible and make “haaa” sounds like a lion’s roar.
• The mouth should be opened as wide as possible when doing Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath.
• This is Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath. Maintain the final position for 20-30 seconds before inhaling again.
• Practice Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath for 3-4 rounds.
• In the end, bring the tongue back into the mouth and relax your throat and facial muscles.
• Take a few deep breaths.

• Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath should ideally be performed for 5-7 minutes.
• If any discomfort is felt, the practice should be stopped immediately and lie down in relaxation asanas like Shavasana.

• Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath is beneficial in relieving tension occurring in the jaws because of teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
• It prevents the throat from drooping with age as Simha Pranayama/Lion’s Breath stimulates platysma which is a thin and broad muscle. This muscle is responsible for pulling the corners of the mouth and for drooping of throat.
• Another benefit of Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath is that it promotes good posture and apparently increases confidence level.
• With Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath, the tongue is stretched and subsequently the blood circulation is increased to throat and tongue.
• It improves your vocal tone.
• Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath is beneficial in releasing the tension accumulated in neck and chest.
• It helps relieve the anger and frustration and promote healthy living.
• Simha Pranayama is also said to treat menstrual problems in women.
• Simha Pranayama or Lions Breath improves digestion and helps relieve Reproductive problems also.

• Do not fold the arms while practicing Simha Pranayama
• While releasing the asana, straighten the neck and the whole body while placing the hands on the ground by the hips.
• The speed and duration of Inhalations and Exhalations should be even.
• Simha Pranayama should be performed before and after the asanas as a cleansing method.
• It is also said that Simha Pranayama relieves Pitta Dosha.
• Simha Pranayama should be performed during or after stressful situations to relieve anxiety and bring peace.