ART OF BREATHING
The art of breathing
Breathing
is the bridge between the body, senses and mind
- Inhalation is the intake of
cosmic energy by the individual for his growth and progress. It is the
path of action . It is the infinite unity with the finite. It draws in the
breath of life as careful and as gentle as the fragrance of a flower might
be indrown and distributes it evenly throughout the body.
- In practicing pranayama the
breath is like an infant child demanding special care and attention from
his mother.
- To understand this art, it
is essential to know its methodology, what is right and wrong. It is
helpful to note that the relationship between consciousness and
breath should be like that between a mother and child.
- In inhalation the sadhaka
attempts to transform his brain into a receiving and distributing centre
for the flow of energy.
- Do not inflate the abdomen,
neither forcibly nor quick.
- Exhalation is the breath
that goes out after inhalation, the expultion of carbon di oxide.
- Exhalation is the outflow
of the individual energy to unite with the cosmic energy and is the
surrender of the sadhaka ego to and immersion in the self.
- Hold the chest high with
consciousness and lead the outgoing breath steadily and smoothly.
- Inhale and exhale
systematically with close attention to the rhythmic pattern of breath as a
spider symmetrically weaves its web.
- For some persons,
inhalation is longer than exhalation, whereas for others it is exhalation
that is longer this is due to the challenges we have to face in life and
our responses to them which change the flow of breath and the pressure of
the blood . pranayama aims to eradicate these disparities and
disturbances in the flow of breath as well as blood pressure and to make
one unperturbed and unattached to one’s own personality.
TECHNIQUE
OF INHALATION
- Sit in any comfortable
posture.
- Raise the spine along with
the chest ,floating ribs and navel and keep it erect.
- During inhalation , expand
the chest up and out without tilting.
- While inhalation fill the
lungs fully with complete attention .Synchronise the movement of the
breath evenly with the interior expansion of the lungs.
- Fill the lungs from their
base to the brim.
- In breath is absorbed, feel
this absorption and the exhilaration sensation of percolation of the
cosmic energy that flows.
- The energy of
inhalation enters from the nose and is received by the spiritual body and
ascends from the navel to the top of the chest.
- Bring the shoulders down
and chest up.
- Relax the throat.
- Keep the eyes closed and
relaxed.
- The forehead remains
relaxed.
TECHNIQUE
OF EXHALATION
- In exhalation the body
becomes dynamic for the slow release of breath.
- Exhalation is the art of
calming the nerves and the brain. This creates humility and the ego
becomes quiet.
THE
ART OF RETENTION
- The pause between an in and
out of breath.
- It also means the
withdrawal of the intellect from the organs of perception and action to
focus on the seat of the atma.
- Kumbhaka has to be done
with the brain relaxed so as to re-vitalise the nervous system.
- The senses are stilled and
the mind becomes silent.
- The pause in breathing
after full inhalation: puraka kumbhaka and after complete exhalation :- rechaka
kumbhaka . In this state one is completely absorbed in the object of
one’s devotion and isolation from the world experiencing a feeling of joy
and peace which passes understanding. One is in tune with the infinite.
- Antara kumbhaka is the
holding of the Lord in the form of cosmic or universal energy, which is
merged into the individual energy. It is a state wherein the Lord is
united with the individual soul.
- Bahya kumbhaka is the state
in which the yogi surrenders his very self , in the form of his breath, to
the lord and merges with universal breath it is the noblest form of
surrender, as the yogi’s identity is totally merged with the Lord.
- The aim of kumbhaka is to
restrain the breath.
- Kumbhaka is the urge to
bring out the latent divinity in the body, the adobe of Atman.
ANTARA KUMBHAKA
The knowledge of the bandhas is essential for the
proper practice of kumbhaka they act as safety valves for distributing,
regulating and absorbing energy, and prevent its dissipation. An electric motor
burns out if its voltage is allowed to rise too high. Similarly , when the
lungs are full and the energy in them is not checked by the bandhas , they will
be damaged, nerves will be frayed and the brain made unduly tense. This will
not happen if on e practices jalandhara bandha.
- Never do antara kumbhaka
while standing.
- When I dislodge in a
reclining position , place pillows under the head.
- When you are able to hold
the breath in internal retention for a minimum of ten to fifteen seconds
you may introduce mula bandha . In the initial stages do mula bandha at
the end of inhalation and retain it through out retention.
- In internal retention, pulll
the abdominal organs in and up, and simultaneously bring the lower spine
forward. Keep the trunk firm and the head , arms and legs relaxed
througout.
- At the end of inhalation
and the start of retention the sadhaka experiences a spark of divinity. He
feels the oneness of body, breath and self. In this state there is no
awareness that time is passing. The sadhaka experiences freedom from cause
and effect he should retain this state throughout kumbhaka
- The vital energy of the sadhaka
does not escape when kumbhaka is done with the bandhs.
- Pay no attention to
uddiyana bandha and mula bandha until they have mastered the
rhythem of breathing.
BAHYA
KUMBHAKA
- The body is the kingdom .
The skin is its frontier. Its ruler is the atman ,whose all seeing eye
watches every details during pranayama.
- Mountain torrents dislodges
rocks and gouge out canyons yet when the energy of the flowing water is
stilled and balanced against that the rocks , each loses its separate
identity. The results is a lake reflecting the serene beauty of the
mountains around. Emotions are the torrents while the steady
intellect forms the rock in kumbhaka both are evenly balanced and the soul
is reflected in its pristine state.
- Consciousness wavers with
the breath while kumbhakas still and frees it from desires. The cloud
disperse and the self shines like the sun.
after practice of pranayama and kumbhaka relax in
savasana
ART OF BREATHING
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