Pranayama
Bhastrika, the bellows breath.
Bhastrika, the bellows breath, is a vigorous classical pranayama in which both halves of the breath are forceful: a strong pull in, a strong push out, in equal measure. The image is a bellows, worked steadily. It is Reed's second vigorous technique, short and deliberate, and it is not for everyone.
Last updated: August 2026
The pattern
- Inhale forcefully for 2 counts, a strong pull in.
- Exhale forcefully for 2 counts, a strong push out.
One cycle · 4 counts · session runs 2 minutes
Practising safely
Bhastrika is one of Reed's two vigorous techniques, and it asks more of the body than the slow patterns do. Check with a doctor before you begin if you are pregnant, or have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, a respiratory condition, epilepsy, or experience panic attacks; that guidance matters double here, because the pace is quick and the push is real. Practise sitting somewhere safe, never while driving or in water, and stop the moment you feel dizzy or unwell. Reed is for general wellbeing; it is not medical advice or treatment.
When to reach for it
It is for the moments that want activating: a slow morning, the flat middle of the afternoon, the place another coffee would otherwise go. It differs from Kapalabhati in one way: here the inhale works as hard as the exhale.
Two minutes, with a single orb holding the quick, even count for you. You mark how you feel before and after, and Reed shows you the shift.
Free, like every session, with no account.
Questions
How is Bhastrika different from Kapalabhati?
In Kapalabhati only the exhale is forceful and the inhale is passive. In Bhastrika both are forceful, in equal measure, which is what makes it the bellows.
Is Bhastrika safe for everyone?
No. It is a vigorous technique that works both halves of the breath. Check with a doctor before you begin if you are pregnant, or have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, a respiratory condition, epilepsy, or experience panic attacks, and stop the moment you feel dizzy or unwell.
Why is the session only two minutes?
Because both halves of the breath are working, a little goes a long way. Two minutes gives the lift without turning effort into strain.
Is Bhastrika free in Reed?
Yes. Every session in Reed is free and unlimited, with no account. Reed Pro adds personal insights on top; it never locks a session.