Some Pranayama like Kapalabhati and the breath of fire should be practised on a completely empty stomach only, as when they are practised straight after eating they may cause heartburn and can raise your blood pressure, therefore, doing it first thing in the morning is best so you have no food left in the stomach for a good three or more hours.
When doing Kapalabhati it is important to do it correctly, to do the speed and rhythm correct as if you do it incorrectly you can get acidity, heartburn and shortness of breath, and you should avoid doing Kapalabhati straight after having had any surgery.
When doing the three bandhas with the Bahya Pranayama, you also do them on a completely empty stomach as you do not want to hold in and pull up toxins while holding the bandhas. You should not do any bandhas if you are menstruating, this is important. These three bandhas with the Bahya Pranayama could be practised fifteen minutes before a meal as they fire up the digestive system which is very beneficial.
If you got a cold or have a sinus infection you should not do Sitkari, as it will make your infection worse, because it cools the body.
When practising Pranayama make sure you have enough time, if you stressed and rushed doing Pranayama it will not be very effective. Check and recheck yourself that you do the Pranayama correct, stay mindful, focused and aware throughout your practice, it is easy to slip and rush them or get tired, or not doing them correctly or not sitting straight etc.
After practising for eleven months I still catch myself out and need to focus on doing all the Pranayama correct. You will feel a difference when you are focused and do all the pranayama correct. It takes time but it is worth it. Don't be too hard on yourself it will all come together, make sure you are relaxed when practising Pranayama and you have an inward smile and feel positive.
Another thing is important, make sure you are warm during practising and the air you breathe in is warm and not icy cold.
I just made the experience, over the past few weeks it has been very cold here minus six degrees and colder and my house was chilly when I was practising the pranayama. A few days later I could feel my lungs were very sore as if I had pneumonia, very painful. I thought about what I had done and realised that I was breathing in all this chilly air. I now make sure the room temp is warmer and I wrap myself in a warm blanket and have a hot water bottle on my back to keep warm. I am on a very tight budget and can not heat my home too much so it is important to find other ways to stay warm. My lungs healed quickly when I kept myself a bit warmer during practising Pranayama.
An eleven-minute practice a day is better than not practise any at all. Many other pranayamas can be done during the day even about 15 minutes after eating.
Ujjayi Pranayama should not be practised while having a sore throat but is a wonderful Pranayama as a preventative for colds, sore throats etc.
Sitkari is a wonderful Pranayama to cool off if filled with anger, and also is cooling when feeling over heated, but should not be practised in cold air and on cold winter days.
Be sensible, and always be observant, aware and focused when practising any Pranayama.
