English

Chandra means “moon”, “bhid” – root, “bhedana” means to penetrate, to pass through something. In Chandra Bhedana pranayama all inhalation happens only through left nostril. All exhalation – through right. Nerve on left side called Ida Nadi or Chandra Nadi. Nerve on right side of nose called Pingala Nadi or Surya Nadi. Pranic energy in the time of inhalation goes through Ida or Chandra Nadi, in the time of exhalation – through Pingala or Surya Nadi.

Energy in left channel is cold, moon (“chandra” in Sanskrit means “moon”). When this channel active, person get tendency to introspection, thinking, contemplation. Chandra Nadi Pranayama – it is exercise to cleanse left energy channel and activate inside it energy flow.… skaityti daugiau

The Sanskrit word bhastrika means ‘bellows’. Thus the practice can be called ‘the bellows pranayama’. This practice is so called because air is drawn forcefully and quickly in and out of the lungs like the bellows of a village blacksmith. The blacksmith increases the flow of air into a fire in order to produce more heat for his work. Bhastrika pranayama can be said to do the same thing: it increases the flow of air into the body, which produces inner heat, both gross and subtle. The inner fire of the mind-body is stoked. This heat burns up impurities, whether physical impurities such as toxins, pranic blockages or mental neuroses. The Sanskrit word tapas means ‘to burn one’s impurities’.… skaityti daugiau

There are various methods of doing moorchha pranayama. In this topic we will describe two types that are specifically mentioned in the yogic scriptures and which we teach in our ashram. They are both excellent techniques that can bring many benefits at all levels. Practice them yourself and choose the method you prefer.

Moorchha pranayama can be practised in any comfortable meditation position. The best asanas are padmasana, siddhasana, siddha yoni asana, swastikasana and ardha padmasana, though vajrasana and sukhasana can be used.

Technique 1

1. Sit in any comfortable sitting asana.
2. Hold the spine and head upright.
3. Relax the whole body.
4. Fold your tongue against the upper palate – khechari mudra.… skaityti daugiau

The sound shee or sheet is made during inhalation in this practice. The Sanskrit word kari means ‘that which produces’. Therefore, sheetcari can be translated as the pranayama that produces the sound ‘shee’. In English the practice is usually called ‘the hissing breath’.

Shape of mouth

1. Press the lower and upper teeth together.
2. Separate the lips as much as is comfortable.
3. Fold the tongue backwards into khechari mudra so that the lower surface gently presses the upper palate.
4. Inhale through the gaps in the teeth.

Technique

1. Sit in a comfortable asana.
2. Close the eyes.
3. Shape the mouth as described.
4. Breathe in slowly and deeply.… skaityti daugiau

The sanskrit word sheetali means ‘cooling’ or ‘relaxing’. This type of pranayama is so called because it cools down the body and relaxes the mind. In English it is usually called ‘the cooling pranayama’ or ‘cooling breath’.

Technique

Roll the tongue so that both sides curl upwards and inwards, with the edges almost meeting each other. Needles to say, the teeth should be separated. The end of the tongue should protrude outside the mouth, but without strain. The rolled tongue forms a tube through which one inhales.

1. Sit in a comfortable meditative asana.
2. Hold the back straight and head upright, but without strain.
3. Close the eyes and relax the whole body.… skaityti daugiau

Surya bheda pranayama is concerned with stimulating and awakening energy within the physical and pranic bodies. The practice can be described as a psychic supercharger. The word surya means ‘sun’ and bheda means ‘to pierce’, ‘to awaken’. The sun represents pingala nadi (the pranic pathway associated with energy in the human framework) and the flow of the breath through the right nostril.

There are various alternative methods, we will describe three. You can choose one of these practices according to your preference.

Technique 1

This is the method described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

1. Take a comfortable sitting position.
2. Hold the spine and head erect but without tension.
3.… skaityti daugiau

At this stage in your pranayama practice you should start to practice outer retention. That is it is time to supplement inhalation, exhalation and inner retention (antar kumbhaka) with retention of the breathing process when the lungs are deflated as much as is possible. In sanskrit, this stage is known as bahir kumbhaka, or sometimes bahiranga kumbhaka.

Bahir kumbhaka is a very important part of pranayama practices and will bestow many benefits. However, as we have already emphasized, you must slowly develop the capacity to retain the breath externally. Don’t try to hold the breath for too long in the beginning, even if at first it may seem easy. this applies particularly to outer retention, for this is a function that the lungs and associated nerves are rarely required to carry out.… skaityti daugiau

The inner retention of breath is callen many names in Sanskrit: it is known as antar, antaranga, abhyantara or poorna kumbhaka. We will adopt the name antar kumbhaka, where the word antar means ‘inner’ and kumbhaka means ‘breath retention’. In other words, antar kumbhaka is the practice where the breath is held inside the lungs.

Scriptural references

Kumbhaka is widely mentioned in the ancient yogic texts for it is a very important practice. The ancient text called the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in particular, discusses it a great length. The following are a few extracted quotations: “He who can do kumbhaka for some time will increase digestive fire and hear the internal cosmic sound (nada).… skaityti daugiau

This is an important practice and is mentioned in a large number of ancient yogic texts. The following from the Gheranda Samhita is the most direct reference: “Inhale through the ida (left nostril) and exhale through the pingala (right nostril). Then inhale through the pingala and exhale through the chandra (left nostril). The pooraka (inhalation) and the rechaka (exhalation) should be done without the slightest hurry. This practice will help to eliminate the problems of cough and cold.” (57 & 58)

Technique

Stage 2

1. Sit in a comfortable sitting position. Sukhasana or vajrasana are most suitable for this purpose, together with other meditative asanas.
2. Be calm and relax your whole body.… skaityti daugiau

The sanskrit word nadi means ‘psychic passage’ or ‘specific pathway’ through which prana flows throughout the body The word shodhana means ‘purification’. Thus this is a practice whereby the pranic pathways are purified and decongested. This allows the prana to flow freely throughout the body bringing the physical body into the best possible health and calming the mind. It is an excellent preparation for meditation techniques.

Nasagra mudra

The position of the fingers and hand is as follows:

1. Hold the right hand in front of the face (the left hand can also be used in which case the following instructions are reversed).

2. Place the tips of the second (index) and third fingers so that they rest on the forehead at the eyebrow centre.… skaityti daugiau