Pranayama Asana · Beginner (Level 1) · Catalog #800175

Extended Exhale Visama Vritti

Lengthening the exhale to roughly twice the inhale. The most direct breath lever on the parasympathetic system.

Practice Extended Exhale (Visama Vritti) with Illustrated Cues & Breath Timer Open this posture in Ayurveda & Asana Yoga on iPhone & iPad to build custom dosha sequences and track MET energy burn.
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Extended Exhale (Visama Vritti) — Pranayama Yoga Posture Illustration

Extended Exhale (Visama Vritti) — Pranayama posture targeting Full Body · Exhale twice inhale breath · Eyes closed drishti.

Vāta: Strongly Pacifies (-2) Pitta: Pacifies (-1) Kapha: Neutral (0)
Sanskrit Name
Visama Vritti
Posture Family
Pranayama
Difficulty
Beginner (Level 1)
Recommended Hold
300 seconds
Breath Pattern
Exhale twice inhale
Drishti (Gaze)
Eyes closed
Target Muscles
Full Body
Energy Expenditure
1.2 METs

Alignment, Breath & Drishti Cues for Extended Exhale

Extended Exhale (Visama Vritti) belongs to the Pranayama posture family and engages the Full Body at an intensity of approximately 1.2 METs. Lengthening the exhale to roughly twice the inhale. The most direct breath lever on the parasympathetic system.

  • Breath Rhythm: Maintain Exhale twice inhale throughout the 300-second hold so nervous system tone remains steady.
  • Visual Focal Point (Drishti): Direct the gaze toward Eyes closed to quiet peripheral distraction and stabilize balance.
  • Primary Anatomical Focus: Concentrates mechanical load and mobility across Full Body.
  • Minimum Recommended Age: 6 years (72 months).

Ayurvedic Dosha Profile (Vāta, Pitta & Kapha)

In Ayurvedic asana sequencing (Dosha Provenance: modern-synthesis), every posture shifts Vata, Pitta, and Kapha according to its mechanical compression, heat generation, and grounding stability:

  • Vāta Effect: Strongly Pacifies (-2) — pair with slow nasal breathing and unhurried transitions to prevent excess mobility or dryness.
  • Pitta Effect: Pacifies (-1) — keep the jaw, temples, and abdomen soft when holding for 300 seconds.
  • Kapha Effect: Neutral (0) — link into dynamic flows or longer holds when seeking metabolic stimulation.

Contraindications & Safety Precautions

No specific classical contraindications recorded for healthy adults; always practice within pain-free range of motion.

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