Breath methods

Breath methods are different ways to inhale and exhale (with a nose, mouth, left or right nostril), retain or sustain the air (with your nostrils pinched or not). They are used for for different Pranayamas for achieving a specific training purpose. In Prana Breath app they are represented with breath methods indicator, that shows you the chosen breath method while you are practicing.

• NB! Diverse breath methods are available for Guru version users and for self-created patterns or some of extra preset patterns only!

Why to use diverse breath methods

According to "Light of Pranayama" by B.K.S. Iengar, different breathing methods are used to adjust the effect of breathing session, for instance:

• breathing with right nostril activates the "sun" energy that energizes and warms you up (see Surya Bhedana pattern);
• with left nostril - activates the "moon" energy that calms and chills you down (like in Chandra Bhedana pattern);
• with the mouth - releases heat and provides lots of oxygen while performing some complicated asanas (shouldn't be done for a long time);
• alternating nostrils harmonizes "sun" and "moon" energy, and is a common practice. You can find it in Anulom Vilom and Nadi Shodhana Pranayamas.

Where breath methods are shown

You can see them in following places in the app (again, it works only for your own Custom training):

1. In Control tab, under the "Seconds per unit" item.
2. In Dynamic tab, when you are modifying a certain cycle.
3. In Training tab, while practicing.

• Note that the background color of the indicator is the very same as for the correspondent phase. You can change it this way.
• If you set "inhale" or "exhale" with a certain nostril, you will hear a phase transition sound from corresponding side only in your headsets or stereo speakers.

Setting breath methods for your training

In Control tab

• If you want to have the breath methods the same for every single cycle in your training, perform the following:

1. Go to Control tab.
2. Choose the training type you need.
3. Tap on the "Breath methods" item that arrived under the "Seconds per ratio unit" item.
4. Choose the methods that you'd like for every phase available in your ratio.
5. Press "OK".
   

Please see these screenshots for the visual guidance:
File:Prana breath set breath methods.jpg

In Dynamic tab

• If you want to different breath methods for different cycles in your training, please see this section for the detailed instructions.

Breath method indicator

Moving breath methods indicator

You can move the breath method indicator in any part of the main screen in Training tab while you are practicing.

1. Wait till the indicator shows during the certain phase you've set it to.
2. Touch and hold the indicator. Note that the button's background fades a bit.
3. Move it to the place you like and release the finger.

Please see these screenshots for the visual guidance:
File:Prana breath drag drop breath methods.jpg

• Note that if you switch to landscape view on your device (if you've moved the indicator in portrait view), the indicator will remain on the initial place, as there are different screen coordinates. You can move it, performing the mentioned above, and put the indicator in another place that you think is best for it. It will remain there in landscape mode for this training pattern.

Choose breath method indicator view mode

• There are two possible ways to perceive breath methods - either as in the mirror reflection, or as you see another person in front of you. So you may pick most comfortable way, following instructions here.