Bhastrika. The Bellows Breath. This is what I do instead of reaching for another coffee or pushing through that wall of afternoon fatigue. Just a few minutes of this breathing technique and I feel like a completely different person. Bhastrika is an ancient pranayama practice — the name comes from Sanskrit meaning “bellows,” like the tool used to fan a flame. That’s exactly what it does for your body and mind. The science behind it is straightforward. The rapid, rhythmic breathing floods your brain with oxygen, which is why so many people notice their mental fog lifting almost immediately. It also helps bring cortisol levels down, so you get that rare combination of feeling alert and calm at the same time — not wired, not sluggish, just clear. For those of managing chronic health conditions, energy is something you don’t take for granted. The afternoon slump can feel defeating. What I love about bhastrika is that it asks nothing of your joints or your body’s limits. You sit, you breat...