Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Shvasa Prashvasa Mean?
Shvasa prashvasa is a Sanskrit term that means “uneven breathing” or “unsteadiness.” In a yogic context, it refers to one of the effects or symptoms of the obstacles that block the path to enlightenment, as described in the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. Shvasa translates as “breathing,” “hard breathing” or “aspiration” while prashvasa translates as “inhaling” or “breathing in.”
More specifically, anxiety, stress and a distracted mind (citta-vikshepa, or that which scatters the thoughts) can lead to irregular breathing, or shvasa prashvasa.
Yogapedia Explains Shvasa Prashvasa
To overcome the obstacles and their symptoms, including shvasa prashvasa, the yogi must clear his or her mind by focusing on smooth, regular breath. Yogic breathing exercises, or pranayama, and meditation are particularly useful tools to eliminate shvasa prashvasa.
Shvasa prashvasa is one of the four symptoms of the obstacles that block the path of yoga. The others are:
- Duhkha (sadness/pain)
- Daurmanasya (depression)
- Angamedzhavatva (physical weakness/tremors)
The Sutras list nine main obstacles:
- Viyadhi (physical or mental illness)
- Siana (lack of discipline)
- Sanshaya (doubt)
- Pramada (indifference/carelessness)
- Alassane (laziness/apathy)
- Avirati (attachment to pleasures/lack of control or restraint)
- Brantidarshan (delusion)
- Alabdha-bhumikatya (lack of progress)
- Anavastitatva (unsteadiness/mental instability)
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.