WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE SAHITA KUMBHAKA IN KUNDALINI AWAKENING ?PRANAYAMA-....

THE ROLE OF THE SAHITA KUMBHAKA IN KUNDALINI AWAKENING;- 07 FACTS;- 1-Kundalini, is called the serpentine or annular power on account of serpentine form. It is an electric fiery occult power, the great pristine force which underlies all organic and inorganic matter.Kundalini can be aroused by a twofold practice. Saraswati Chalana and the restraint of Prana are the two practices. The rousing of the Saraswati Nadi is Saraswati Chalana. 2-One more important thing which you would find in many places in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad is the Sushumna Nadi. You must have a complete knowledge of this Nadi. 3-The process, as described in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad, for arousing Kundalini is simple. When a person exhales, the Prana goes out 16 digits. In inhalation it goes in only 12 digits, thus losing 4. The Kundalini is aroused if one can inhale Prana for 16 digits. This is done by sitting in Padmasana and when the Prana is flowing through the left nostril, and lengthening inwards 4 digits more. 4-By means of this lengthened breath the Yogic student should manipulate the Saraswati Nadi and stir up the Kundalini Shakti with all his strength, from right to left, repeatedly. This process may extend to three quarters of an hour. All this has been briefly and yet comprehensively described in the Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad. 5-The most important result of shaking the Saraswati Nadi is that it cures the several diseases arising within the belly, and cleanses and purifies the system. After the practice of the Sahita Kumbhaka the Yogic student is initiated into the Kevala Kumbhaka. These two types of Kumbhaka bring about the complete restraint of the Prana. 6-There are the four divisions of the Sahita Kumbhaka viz, 1-Suryabheda Kumbhaka, 2-Ujjayi Kumbhaka, 3-Sitali 4-Bhastrika 7-Suryabheda Kumbhaka, Ujjayi Kumbhaka, Sitali and Bhastrika destroy the intestinal worms and the four kinds of evils caused by Vayu. Ujjayi purifies the body, removes diseases and increases the gastric fire. It also removes the heat caused in the head and the phlegm in the throat. Sitali cools the body. It destroys gulma, dyspepsia, pliha, consumption, bile, fever, thirst and poison. These forms of Sahita Kumbhaka purify and prepare the entire physiological organism for the arousal of the Kundalini Shakti and for the experience of the non-dual Brahman. DESCRIPTION OF THE FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE SAHITA KUMBHAKA;- 1-HOW TO PRACTICE SURYABHEDA? - 06 FACTS;- 1-Sit on Padmasana or Siddhasana. Close the eyes. Keep the left nostril closed with your right ring and little fingers. 2-Slowly inhale without making any sound as long as you can do it comfortably through the right nostril. Then close the right nostril with your right thumb and retain the breath by firmly pressing the chin against the chest (Jalandhara Bandha). 3-Hold the breath till perspiration oozes from the roots of the hair (hair follicles-very small holes in the skin). This point cannot be reached at the very outset. You will have to increase the period of Kumbhaka gradually. 4-This is the limit of the sphere of practice of Suryabheda Kumbhaka. Release the Jalandhara Bandha. Then exhale very slowly without making any sound through the left nostril with the thumb closing the right nostril. 5-The practice of Suryabheda Kumbhaka destroys decay and death and awakens Kundalini.” 6-This Pranayama should again and again be performed, as it purifies the brain and destroys the intestinal worms. It removes the four kinds of evils caused by Vayu and cures Vata (rheumatism). It cures rhinitis and various sorts of neuralgia (acute paroxysmal pain/नसों का दर्द ).The worms that are found in the frontal sinuses are also destroyed. 2-HOW TO PRACTICE UJJAYI ? - 06 FACTS;- 1-Sit in your usual Asana. Close the mouth. Inhale slowly through both the nostrils in a smooth, uniform manner. 2-Retain the breath as long as you can do it comfortably and then exhale slowly through the left nostril by closing the right nostril with your right thumb. 3-Expand the chest when you inhale. During inhalation a peculiar sound is produced owing to the partial closing of glottis. The sound produced during inhalation should be of a mild and uniform pitch. It should be continuous also. 4-This Kumbhaka may be practised even when walking or standing. Instead of exhaling through the left nostril, you can exhale slowly through both nostrils. 5-This removes the heat in the head. The practitioner becomes very beautiful. The gastric fire is increased. It removes phlegm in the throat. Asthma, consumption and all sorts of pulmonary diseases are cured. All diseases that arise from deficient inhalation of oxygen and diseases of the heart are cured. 6-All works are accomplished by Ujjayi Pranayama. The practitioner is never attacked by diseases of phlegm, nerves, enlargement of spleen, dyspepsia, dysentery, consumption, cough or fever. Perform Ujjayi to destroy decay and death. 3-HOW TO PRACTICE SITALI ? - 06 FACTS;- 1-Sit in a comfortable position with the head, neck, and spine in alignment. Close your eyes, breathe diaphragmatically for several minutes, then open the mouth and form the lips into an “O.” 2-Curl the tongue lengthwise and project it out of the mouth (about 3/4 of an inch). 3-Inhale deeply across the tongue and into the mouth as if drinking through a straw. 4-Focus your attention on the cooling sensation of the breath as the abdomen and lower ribs expand. 5-Withdraw the tongue and close the mouth, exhaling completely through the nostrils. 6-Continue doing sitali for 2 to 3 minutes, return to diaphragmatic breathing for several more, and repeat the cooling breath for 2 to 3 minutes longer. Gradually you can work your way up to a 10-minute practice. CAUTIONS FOR SITALI ;- 1-Because sitali reduce body temperature, So it should be practiced during hot weather or after a vigorous asana or heating pranayama practice (like bhastrika). 2-If you have a vata or kapha constitution, sitali may not be appropriate during wintertime. But no matter when you practice, be sure to take in air that is close to body temperature, since the breath won’t be warmed by the nostrils—if the air is cold, it may aggravate the lungs. 4-HOW TO PRACTICE BHASTRIKA?- 08 FACTS;- 1-In Sanskrit Bhastrika means 'bellows(a device for producing a strong current of air/धौंकनी'). Rapid succession of forcible expulsion is a characteristic feature of Bhastrika. Just as a blacksmith(who creates objects from wrought iron or steel/लोहार )blows his bellows rapidly, so also you should move your breath rapidly. 2-Sit on Padmasana. Keep the body, neck and head erect. Close the mouth.Inhale and exhale quickly 20 times like the bellows. Constantly dilate (become wider)and contract the chest as you inhale and exhale. When you practise the Pranayama a hissing sound is produced. You should start with forcible expulsions of breath following one another in rapid succession. After 20 such expulsions, make a deep inhalation and retain the breath as long as you can comfortably do and then slowly exhale. This is one round of Bhastrika. 3-Breathe in by inhaling forcefully through both the nostrils. Make sure that your lungs are full with air. Once you inhale fully, exhale with great force making hissing sound.Begin with 10 expulsions for a round and increase it gradually to 20 or 25 for a round. The period of Kumbhaka also should be gradually and cautiously increased. Rest a while after one round is over and again begin the next round. Do 3 rounds in the beginning and after due practice, do 20 rounds in the morning and 20 in the evening. 4-The breath is suspended as long as it could be done with comfort. Then deepest possible exhalation completes one round of Bhastrika. Rest a while after one round is over by taking a few normal breaths. This will give you relief and make you fit for starting the second round. 5-Advanced students do this Pranayama after partial closing of the glottis. They do not make a powerful noise like the beginners. They can do it even in a standing posture. 6-You can do another three rounds in the evening also. Busy people who find it difficult to do three rounds of Bhastrika can do one round at least. This also will keep them quite fit. 7-Bhastrika removes inflammation of the throat, increases the gastric fire, destroys phlegmकफ and all diseases of the nose and lungs, eradicates Asthma, consumption and other diseases which arise from the excess of wind, bile and phlegm. It gives warmth to the body. It is the most effective of all Pranayama exercises. 8-Apart from bringing a number of wholesome physiological changes, Bhastrika Kumbhaka pierces the three knots or the Granthis.

CAUTIONS FOR BHASTRIKA (Bellows breathing);-

06 POINTS;-

1-In Bhastrika pranayama one needs to apply force while breathing in and breathing out. You can determine how much speed to apply while inhaling and exhaling keeping in mind your heath and endurance power.

2-When you breathe in while performing Bhastrika pranayama, your abdominal should not blow up. Instead your chest area should blow up. 3-One should perform Bhastrika pranayama for 5 minutes everyday. Those who have high blood pressure or heart disease should not practice Bhastrika pranayama.

4-Please be careful while generating powerful expulsions as they could cause injuries to the lung tissuese Likewise, stretching a series for so long could cause giddinesss.

5-Also exercise caution against going too far in your preliminary practices. If you tend to push the limit, lie down while doing this breathing exercises There are chances you may lose consciousness and collapses.

6-Too much practice could bring on giddiness, sleepiness and even loss of consciousnesss If, by any chance, you fall unconsciousness, don’t worry, your breathing will set itself right and return to normal soon as you lie down and rests .Too much of Bhastrika (Bellows breathing) could result in lightheartedness, dizziness or a feeling of floating in the air. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF BHASTRIKA IN KUNDALINI AWAKENING ?- 06 FACTS;- 1- Bhastrika breaks the three Granthis or knots viz., Brahma Granthi, Vishnu Granthi and Rudra Granthi. It destroys phlegm which is the bolt or obstacle to the door at the mouth of Brahma Nadi (Sushumna). It enables one to know the Kundalini. It removes all diseases which arise from excess of wind, bile and phlegm. 2-It gives warmth to the body. When you have no sufficient warm clothing in a cool region to protect yourself from cold, practise this Pranayama and you will get sufficient warmth in the body quickly. It purifies the Nadis considerably. It is the most beneficial of all Kumbhakas. 3-Bhastrika Kumbhaka should be specially practised as it enables the Prana to break through the three Granthis or knots that are firmly located in the Sushumna. It awakens the Kundalini quickly. The practitioner will never suffer from any disease. He will always be healthy. 4-The Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad then proceeds to prescribe the practice of the three Bandhas, for the Yogic student. The process by which the downward tendency of the Apana (breath) is forced up by the spincter muscles of the anus, is called the Mulabandha. By this Bandha the Apana is raised up. It reaches the sphere of Agni or fire. Then the flame of the Agni grows long, being blown about by Vayu. In a heated state, Agni and Apana commingle with the Prana. This Agni is very fierce. 5-Through this fiery Agni, there arises in the body the fire that awakens and arouses the Kundalini, through its radiant heat. The aroused Kundalini makes a hissing noise, becomes erect and enters the hole of Brahmanadi. The Yogins practise this Mulabandha daily. 6-In this aim of arousing the Sarasvati Nadi and the Kundalini Shakti, the other two Bandhas, viz., Uddiyana Bandha and the Jalandhara Bandha, also play the most significant part.(NEXT) WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES IN YOGA?- 05 FACTS;- 1-The causes of the diseases in the body are seven;- 1. Sleeping during the daytime. 2. Late vigils overnight. 3. Excess of sensuality 4. Moving amidst crowds. 5. The effect of unwholesome food. 6. Checking of the discharge of urine and faeces. 7. Laborious mental operations with the Prana. 2-The mistake that the Yogic student commits is that when diseases attack him, he erroneously attributes the diseases to his practice of Yoga. This is the first obstacle in Yoga. 3-The Yogic student begins to doubt as to the efficacy of the Yoga Sadhana. This is the second obstacle. Carelessness or a state of confusion is the third obstacle. Indifference or laziness is the fourth obstacle. Sleep is the fifth obstacle and the sixth is the attachment to sense-objects. The seventh obstacle is erroneous perception or delusion. The eighth is concern with worldly affairs. The ninth is want of faith. The tenth obstacle to Yoga practice is want of the necessary aptitude for grasping the Yoga truths. 4-Earnest spiritual aspirants should avoid all these obstacles by means of a close investigation and great deliberation. Further on, the Upanishads describe the process and the manner by which the Kundalini is roused and taken to the Sahasrara by piercing through the Granthis. 5-The Chakras are centres of Shakti as vital force. These are the centres of Prana Shakti manifested by Pranavayu in the living body.The Kundalini Yogi seeks to obtain both Bhukti and Mukti. He attains liberation in and through the world. Jnana Yoga is the path of asceticism and liberation. Kundalini Yoga is the path of enjoyment and liberation. THE KEY POINTS;- 03 POINTS;- 1-The Serpent Power is the power which is the static support or Adhara of the whole body and all its moving Pranic forces.In the human body the potential pole of Energy which is the Supreme Power is stirred to action. The Shakti is moved upward to unite with the Shiva, the quiescent(period of inactivity ) Consciousness in the Sahasrara. 2-By Pranayama and other Yogic processes the static Shakti is affected and becomes dynamic. When completely dynamic, when Kundalini unites with Shiva in the Sahasrara, the polarisation of the body gives way. The two poles are united in one and there is the state of consciousness called Samadhi. The polarisation takes place in the Consciousness. The body actually continues to exist as an object of observation to others. 3-When the awakened Kundalini moves upwards, the shower of nectar flows copiously. The Yogi enjoys this which keeps him away from all sensual pleasures. The Yogi takes his stand upon the Inner Reality, the Atman. He enjoys the highest state of spiritual experience. He attains peace and is devoted only to the Atman. ......SHIVOHAM......