WHAT IS NADISHODHAN PRANAYAMA ?PRANAYAMA--07

SIGNIFICANCE OF NADISHODHAN PRANAYAMA;-

10 FACTS;-

1-If someone wishes to obtain physical benefits from breathing it is possible merely by practising Nadishodhan. Nadi-Shodhan is more than sufficient. And why Nadi-Shodhan is so very essential and important? Because Nadis are important..

2-Human body is nothing but an organized network of nadis.. When these Nadis get clogged or damaged various ailments present them.. When Nadis are healthy and maintain proper flow of vayu and energy it is ‘health’.

3-Between Ida and Pingla is the position of Sushumna Nadi. In this Sushumna Nadi, at six designated places (daakini, Hakini, Lakini etc.) reside six Shaktis and on this Sushumna only six lotus (chakras) are present. Learned Yogis know this.

4-Sushumna runs along the centre of the spinal cord or spinal column. Above the genital organs and below the navel is the Kanda, of the shape of a bird’s egg. There arise from it all the Nadis 72,000 in number.

5-Of these, seventy-two are common and generally known.

6-Of those the chief ones are ten and they carry the Pranas. Ida,Pingala, Sushumna, Gandhari, Hastijihva, Pusa, Yusasvini, Alambusa, Kuhuh and Sankhini are said to be the ten important Nadis.

7-The Yogis should have a knowledge of the Nadis and the Chakras. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are said to carry Prana and have Moon, Sun and Agni as their Devatas. When Prana moves in Sushumna, sit for meditation. You will have deep Dhyana.

8-All these Nadis are responsible for carrying physical sensations, nourishment and energies. These nadis, present in human body are extremely conductive for air (prana) and operate through association and dissociation of vayu.

9- Now we can understand the important role of these nadis in our body . We should regulate our breathing; keeping in mind that these nadis are quite a bit delicate and also base of our “life-experience”. Because only through these Nadis ,the sensations flow from our organs. 10-Hence Nadi-Shodhan and only Nadi-Shodhan increase our capacity to handle it all. Nadishodhan is not just training regime.. it is complete breathing discipline in itself, it is actually prerequisite for attempting any other spiritual or energy process.

FOR BEGINNERS ;-

1-FIVE STEPS OF PRANA AKARSHAN PRANAYAMA

Perform this Prana Akarshan Pranayama... classified in 5 parts ;

1- In the early pre dawn hours after performing daily ablutions sit cross legged facing the eastern direction. Place both hands on the knees. Close your eyes. Meditate on the fact that in the entire sky Prana principle full of light and energy pervades it. Prana akin to clouds of hot steam shining in sun light are flowing towards us from all directions. And within this Prana we are seated contentedly, peacefully and joyfully.

2- From both nostrils start inhaling and meditate on the fact that we are imbibing within the body clouds of Prana principle. Just as a bird and snake enter their nest and hole in the same way scattered Prana flow around us is entering our body via the nose. Thus it is also entering our brain, chest, heart, stomach and all other organs.

3-When you inhale deeply stop it from getting exhaled for sometime and feel mentally: The Prana I have inhaled is now pervading every pore of my body. Just as when you pour water on mud it soaks the water so too our bodily parts are like dry mud and water as Prana is being soaked by our entire body. Further our body is also fully imbibing consciousness, divine light, strength, zest, enterprise, patience and valor that are conjoined to Prana (vital force).

4- Try and stop exhalation (after inhaling air) as much as you are comfortable and then slowly exhale this air. At that time mentally think: After imbibing the essence of Prana in every pore of our body dirty air is being emitted out of our body. It is like throwing away remnants after butter is churned from buttermilk. All mental taints and distortions are being emitted via exhalation of this air and like black smoke it is throwing out all unwholesome imprints of the psyche.

5-After exhaling fully let the air remain outside for sometime. Meaning live without air for sometime and think: Since all the taints of my mind have been exhaled I will shut all doors on them. Now these distortions have run away miles from me.

NOTE;-

When you are perfect in 1'st step then 2'nd step can be followed...YOU CAN SELECT EITHER NADISHODHAN OR SURYA VEDHAN LOM-VILOM-..

IF YOU ASK ME..I PREFER NADI SHODHAN PRANAYAMA..

2-NINE STEPS OF NADI SHODHAN PRANAYAMA (Yogic subtle nerve purification);-

Three times while inhaling and exhaling from the left nostril meditate on the cool radiant moon on the Navel Chakra. Three times while inhaling and exhaling from the right nostril meditate on the warm radiant sun on the Navel Chakra. Once inhale from both nostrils, shut the nostrils and exhale slowly from the mouth. All these 7 steps put together makes 1 Naadi Shodhan Pranayama (Yogic subtle nerve purification).

1-In predawn hours facing the east, with spine erect sit cross legged. Keep the eye lids half shut.

2-Close the right nostril. Inhale air from the left nostril and keep on pulling it till the Navel Chakra.

3- Meditate on the fact that in the navel area is present the full moon like cool light. The inhaled air is touching it.

4- Stop the breath from going out for as long as you had inhaled it. Meditate that the inhaled air which touched the cool full moon like light of Navel Chakra is itself becoming cool and radiant.

5- Now exhale air from the same nostril from which you inhaled air. Meditate that the air (exhalation) which has become cool and radiant on touching the Navel Chakra is making the Ida subtle nerve (from which it is exhaled) cool and radiant while exhaling.

6-For sometime let the exhaled air remain outside (do not inhale) and again start the above mentioned process. From the left nostril inhale air and from it, exhale too. Close the right nostril with the right thumb. Do this cycle 3 times.

7-- Just as you had done Poorak, Kumbhak, Rechak, Bahya Kumbhak from the left nostril in the same way do it from the right nostril. In the Navel Chakra meditate on the sun instead of the moon. While exhaling air think that the air being exhaled while touching the sun in the navel is rendering the breathing tube warm and radiant.

8- While closing the left nostril, perform the above action 3 times.

9-Now open both nostrils. Inhale air simultaneously from both nostrils and do not let it go out (do not exhale). While opening the mouth exhale air from it. This action should be carried out only once.After practicing the above the aspirant or Sadhak will get divine experiences.The ratio of Poorak, Kumbhak, Rechak, ------16 ....,64 ...32 Respectively...

THREE KEY POINTS;--

1-DURING THREE STEPS OF LEFT NOSTRIL REPEAT MANTRA---YAM OR OM KAM KAM KAKINI ISHAN RUDRA YAM YAM YAM NAMAHA (as I repeat )

2-IN OTHER THREE STEPS OF RIGHT NOSTRIL REPEAT RAM OR OM LAM LAM LAKINI RUDRA RAM RAM RAM NAMAHA

3-A-IN LAST INHALE WITH -----HAM OR OM SHAM SHAM SHAKINI SADASHIV HAM HAM HAM NAMAHA

B-HOLD WITH VAM OR OM RAM RAM RAKINI VISHNU VAM VAM VAM NAMAHA

C-EXHALE WITH LAM OR OM DAM DAM DAKINI BRAHAMA LAM LAM LAM NAMAHA 3-ELEVEN STEPS OF SURYA VEDHAN LOM-VILOM;- MEANING;-

1-Prana pulled within via inhalation of air is awakening the Solar Plexus in the navel region. It pierces its lethatgy and dark gloominess. From there via the Sushumna path this radiance travels to the stomach, chest and throat. Hence this Pranayama is called Surya Vedhan.

2-Lom means straight and Vilom means upside down. Once straight – once upside down. Then upside down and then straight. Then upside down, inhaling from left, emitting from right. Inhaling from right and exhaling from left. Because of this cycle of straight/upside down it is called Lom-Vilom Surya Vedhan Pranayama process. 11 STEPS;- 1- In a peaceful lonely area be seated with balanced poise. Face the east, sit cross legged, sit in the easy lotus posture, spine should be erect, eyes must be half shut, place hands on both knees. This is called the Prana Mudra and be seated thus. 2-Bend the left hand and keep it slanting. In its palms place the elbow of the right hand. Raise the right hand. Place the thumb on the right nostril and place the middle and ring finger on the left nostril. 3-Close the left nostril with the help of the middle and ring finger. When you inhale air it must not be spread out in the lungs merely but should go to your navel area also. Slowly allow the air to fill up the stomach comfortably. 4- Meditate on the fact that the sun’s light on mixing with air enters the body via the Pingala subtle nerve situated in the right nostril. Its heat is radiating our inner bodily organs. 5- Let the inhaled air remain for sometime inside. Shut both the nostrils and meditate on the fact that via the concentrated light of Prana of Nabhi (navel) Chakra (subtle plexus) is getting focused in the navel subtle plexus. The Solar Plexus having remained latent for a long time in the navel is now being influenced by this concentrated Prana light. Hence it is becoming radiant and its aura is continuously augmenting. 6- Now shut the right nostril with the thumb. Open the left nostril. Slowly exhale air from the left nostril. Now meditate on the fact that the dirt that induces inactivation in the Chakras is being emitted totally. Now since this dirt is mixed with the exhaled air it is no longer radiant as it was when vital force was inhaled. It is hence becoming yellow in color and via the Ida subtle nerve it is being emitted from the left nostril’s exhaled air. 7-Now close both the nostrils. Render the lungs empty i.e. devoid of air. Meditate that the external vital force remains outside only. Since it does not pressurize the internal vital force it is very light in weight. The Prana of the Navel Chakra is focused like the sun. Like a ball of light it rises upwards as fire flames. Its flames travel from the upper region of the stomach to the throat. In the inner subtle Sushumna nerve this ball of fire (vital force) is making radiant the internal body. 8- With the thumb close the right nostril and inhale air from the left nostril. Think that via the Ida subtle nerve Prana shining brilliantly like the sun and mixed in air is entering the body. This light is entering the Solar Plexus situated in the navel along the spine (Merudand). There it is getting focused. Due to the focus of this radiant light the Solar Plexus or Surya Chakra is becoming more radiant. 9-Now shut both the nostrils. Stop the air from flowing out of the body. Meditate that radiant Prana mixed with inhaled air is entering the navel’s Solar Plexus and is rendering it permanently radiant. The radiance keeps augmenting and like tongues of flames is marching upwards. Because of this light the Sushumna subtle nerve is getting nourished ceaselessly. 10-Close the left nostril and from the right nostril slowly exhale air. Meditate that the dirt of Surya Chakra like smoke mixed with radiant breath is rendering the latter opaque and yellow. This yellow Prana air is being evicted outside via the Pingala subtle nerve. Now since the inner dirt has been removed the psyche/heart feels light and radiant. 11-Now again shut both the nostrils and as given in point number 6) render the lungs empty i.e. devoid of any air. Feel the ball of light of Sushumna subtle nerve going upward from Navel Chakra to the throat. Experience that divine brilliant light shines in the inner bodily parts. ...SHIVOHAM....