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Visama means not equal and vrtti means move. In this pranayama the inhalation and exhalation are not equal. Sometimes you might hear this technique called irregular motion breathe or rectangle breathing because it uses a breath ratio. There are many possible breath ratios. It is similar to the square breathing of the samavrtti pranayama, but the retention is shorter than the inhalation or exhalation. It is an effective and easy method of building toward the square breathing technique.
Here are a few examples of breath ratios. If you are working with a breath ratio of 1:4:2, then the inhalation is for 1 unit of time, the hold is for 4 units, and the exhalation is for 2 units. So if you are working with a 5 second unit, you would take a 5 second inhalation, hold for 20 seconds, and the exhale for 10 seconds. Other possible ratios include 2:1:4, (inhale for 10 seconds, hold for 5, and exhale for 20 seconds) and 4:2:1 (inhale for 20 seconds, hold for 10, and exhale for 5 seconds). You can practice this technique for 3 cycles of each ratio, which would be 1 round. When you complete 3 rounds, rest in total relaxation.
It is important not to create tension or strain with this pranayama.
To practice this pranayama, relax the shoulders and sit with the spine straight in easy post, half, or full lotus posture. Rest the hands on the knees, with the palms facing down. Draw your thumb and forefinger touching on each hand.
If your breath becomes agitated, you have gone too far in the pose, so just relax and readjust your breath ratio.
Doing this technique should never create strain on the breath. Always remember to start from where you are, and work from there.
