Pranayama
Evening Cooling Breath
Sheetali & Sheetkari · 5 min
PremiumbeginnerPreview — awaiting expert review
Before you begin
- Practise in clean air; avoid dusty or polluted places.
- Choose Sheetkari if you cannot curl the tongue.
- Traditionally avoided in cold weather or when you have a cold or cough.
- If you have sensitive teeth, choose Sheetali only.
- If you feel chilled, dizzy or uneasy, return to natural breathing.
Please choose a gentler practice, or ask your teacher first, if you have:
- Low blood pressure
- Asthma, bronchitis or chest congestion
- Cold, cough or sore throat
- Very cold weather
- Tooth sensitivity (for Sheetkari)
Not a substitute for medical advice.
Two classical cooling breaths. In Sheetali you inhale through the curled tongue; in Sheetkari you inhale through the gently closed teeth. Both exhale slowly through the nose. They suit warm afternoons and evenings, and are traditionally avoided in cold weather.
What it supports
- Brings a sense of coolness and ease
- Supports a calm mood at the end of the day
- Helps slow the pace of the breath