/fringe/ - Fringe

Pranayama 09/02/14 (Tue) 00:54:50 No. 16462

Yogic Breathing That Promotes Control Over Senses

Have you ever noticed that when you are surprised by incredible news you tend to hold your breath? It is a natural reaction. This can also work backwards, i.e., if you can control your breathing, you can control your mind. This is the basic principle behind "pranayama" - the technique of yogic breathing exercises.

Though on a gross level you are trying to gain control over your breathing, in essence subconsciously you are trying to gain control over your very prana (the vital life force). Prana means "life force" and "yama" means "practice". So, pranayama is the science of gaining control over vital life force beginning with gaining control over your breath.

On an average a human being has a respiratory rate of 15 to 20 respirations. Ancient Indian yogis believed that by reducing the respiratory rate, longevity can be enhanced. Yogis have recommended that you should draw breath, hold breath, and breath out at the ratio of 1:4:2 for healthy living. Holding breath is called "Kumbaka pranayama". Kumbaka pranayama helps you to gain control over the working of your mind and ultimately over your senses. A regular practice of this improves the pranic energy of an individual to a great extent. This is the reason that pranayama is mandatory before performing occult rituals in Indian tradition. Pranayama clears the naadi channels of the body and facilitate smooth flow of kundalini in its jouney up the various charkas of our body.

A regular practitioner of pranayama gains such pranic vitality that he can use his pranic energy for healing purposes. Very many occult siddhis (psi abilities) are obtained if a practitioner is successful in performance of pranayama. There are various types of pranayama: some are useful for purification of body (like bastika), some are useful for improving vitality, some to generate heat, some to improve stamina, some to cool your body (seethali pranayama),etc. These should be learnt under the close supervision of an expert as faulty practice of these can lead to undesirable side effects.

A simple pranayama technique which anyone can do
Curing physical ailments using pranayama is a science in itself and only expert yogic guides can help you with those. However there is one particular type of pranayama called suka-purvaka pranayama which anyone can practice with good results. In this respiration is done with alternate nostrils. Close your nostril with your right thumb. Draw in air for a duration of 5 seconds. After that close both nostrils and hold your breath for a duration of 20 seconds. Then release the air slowly for a duration of 10 seconds with your right nostril (by closing the left nostril with the little and ring fingers of your right hand). Now, closing the left nostril, draw in air using the right nostril for 5 seconds. Hold breath for 20 seconds, and leave out air through your left nostril (by closing your right nostril with your right thumb). This is one cycle of suka-puraka pranayama. Beginners should restrict themselves to 5 cycles per day and should progress gradually.
Physiological/ psychic benefits of Pranayama
The practice of this pranayama mentioned above improves vitality, gives cure from respiratory diseases, improves the functioning of the lungs, and helps the yogi to convert ojas (physical vitality) into tejas (spiritual and psychic vitality). While practising this, you will observe that your mind comes under your control gradually. You will feel energized after this practice. The time duration I have mentioned above is for beginners. As you progress, you can gradually improve on the duration taking care to maintain the ratio of 1:4:2. Never exert yourself forcibly while doing this. This should be done with a conscious mind and deliberate rythm. You will find that this is a very good stress-busting exercise. However those suffering from chronic blood pressure ailments and heart patients should consult their physicians before practising this.

Some powerful visualizations during pranayama:
1) As you draw in your breath, visualize as if the air that you suck in is saturated with cosmic energy, and that your body is being charged with those cosmic currents in a highly positive manner.

2) As you hold breath (Kumbhakaa phase of the praanaayama), visualize as if all the negativities of your life are getting burnt in the triangular fire pit that is in your abdomen, and that they are all reduced to ashes.

3) As you breath out (Raechaka phase), visualize as if those ashes of negativity are being expelled out with the air that your breathe out.

4) Instead of sukha-Poorvaka pranayama mentioned before, if you are just doing deep breathing for relaxation, you may visualize the syllable “SO” while you take in air, and visualize the syllable “Hum” (“u” as in cut, mud, etc.) as you exhale the air. “ Soham” is the natural rhythm of breathing – it is nearly the natural sound of air as we inhale and exhale; it is called “Ajapaa Gayathri” – the Gayathri mantra that we all do unconsciously roughly 21,600 times per day! Now you can do that consciously and dedicate it to your favourite Deity which makes the process of mere breathing into one of deep spiritual significance.

This visualization is very powerful and performing 20 cycles per day will help you to get “Vajra Deha Siddhi” – i.e. perfect state of health and vitality in the body, which can be a great aid in attaining greater yogic siddhis (including levitation at will, traveling in astral planes, etc.).
Even if you are not a person who is after siddhis or paranormal powers, normal pranayama practice has so many benefits to you even on a mundane level as already explained, and hence this is one yogic practice that everyone should strive to do regularly.

Let the wisdom of ancient Indian seers help you to lead a better and healthy life.

Recommended further reading:
1) Swami Sivananda’s essays on Pranayama
2) Patanjali yoga sutras.
3) Yoga Vasishta.

Article by Pandit R Dakshinamoorthi

http://www.truthstar.com/articles/Yogic_Breathing.aspx

>tfw no Hindu flag still 09/02/14 (Tue) 01:55:11 No.16464

File: 1409622911845.jpg (46.29 KB, 288x350, Pranayam2.jpg)

Benefits of Yoga

Benefits of Yoga include detoxification, toning up the muscles, purification of mind and overall wellness of body and soul.

Yoga is a traditional and cultural science of India. Apart from yoga, India has contributed other sciences like Sanskrit grammar, mathematics, kama sutra, and Ayurveda to the humankind.Ayurveda includes yoga as a part of an ideal lifestyle and maintenance of health (swastha vritta). Lord Krishna has explained in the Bhagvad Gita various faculties of yoga. Yoga is further explored in the great treatise, Dnyaneshwari written by Saint Dnyaneshwar. Yoga literally means `union` or `to join`, i.e., union with the divine consciousness.

Each and every yoga appears like different types of yoga due to their different methods and techniques but the main objective of all of them is liberation, salvation or to attain samadhi, the highest state of chitta (consciousness) by controlling its urittis (tendencies, desires) arising in it, out of attachment with the materialistic world, so as to merge into the divine principle (absolute consciousness). Yoga is one of the six great philosophies of India and is an experiential science. Yoga is a part of the Indian lifestyle. Practice of yoga as daily ritual can bring great deal of peace of mind and joy. Since yoga brings about suitable changes in the behavioural pattern and the attitude of a person, the personal relationship at home and in the society are also improved.

Although the system of yoga is not developed for the purpose of treatment, it has been observed through the applied research that the regular practice of yoga not only controls these diseases but also promotes and maintains the healthy condition of body and mind and prevents the disease process. Yoga is not an alternative to any conventional therapy but it definitely supports the healing process. The popularity of yoga lies in its therapeutic value. Yoga has a potential to tranquilize and balance the mind, which is the key in the management of stress disorders.

ShirshasanaThe yoga asanas have a healing process that tranquil the mind as well. This is linked to the proper functioning of the organs of the human body. There are particular yoga asanas for particular mal functioning of human organs and cure. The effect of yoga on digestive system is vast. Almost all the asanas as well as kriyas influence stomach, colon, urinary bladder and the liver. Dhauti is mainly related to oesophagus and stomach while Basti is concerned with the anus, rectum and the colon. In addition to that, the external sphincters of the anus are contracted and relaxed alternately in Ashwini mudra.

Yoga has a great impact in the blood circulation system. Many asanas e.g., Shirshasana, Sarvangasana, Viparita karni, Hansana, Mayurasana, few pranayamas like Ujjayi pranayama and Bhastrika pranayama as well as uddiyan, nauli kriya, Jalandhar bandha specially influence the blood circulation. As a result of increased muscular work during exercise, carbon dioxide is produced in larger amount, which accumulates speedily in the joints, muscles and blood. Demand of oxygen is also increased but before chemoreceptors come into action, the receptors in the joints and muscles are stimulated due to increased muscular contractions. Receptors in the joints send impulses to the respiratory center and bring about an increase in the rate and depth of respiration. When chemoreceptors are stimulated, the inspiratory center becomes highly active.

The rate of respiration increases. Excess carbon dioxide is expelled out of the body and the level of carbon dioxide is lowered to normal. Besides the gaseous exchange, respiration also contributes to the awareness or alertness of the individual.

Changes in the respiratory pattern and consequent gaseous imbalance such as hypoxia (lack of adequate oxygen) may result in altered state of awareness. Various components of the respiratory cycle show variation from person to person due to shifting of awareness and the mental state. These components are, rate and depth of respiration, the ratio of movements of chest to the abdomen, pauses, jerks at any point in the breath, ratio of the duration of inhalation and exhalation. Yoga has pointed out the relationship between the irregularities in the breathing and disturbances or disorders of physical and psychological functions and vice versa.

PranayamBesides supplying the oxygen, respiratory system also contributes to the state of consciousness, awareness and attention. The Pranayama is like a bridge between the physical existence and the mental activity. Due to emotional impact muscle tone is affected which in turn disturbs the functions of the body. If asanas are performed in a relaxed way the coordination between the nervous and the muscular systems increases, the muscle tone is corrected and thus the emotions are balanced. When the muscles are relaxed, the muscle tone is reduced and at this moment there is no scope for worries and tensions. Main objective of asana, pranayama, bandhas and mudra is to strengthen the nervous system so as to counter-balance the spiritual power of kundalini, when awakened.

Emotions, hormones of the endocrine glands, behaviour and mental health are deeply correlated with each other. When the function of these glands is maintained at the optimum level by practicing asanas, bandhas and mudras regularly, physical and mental health are maintained automatically. A regular yoga practitioner experiences a feeling of happiness, contentment and a peaceful state of mind all the time and therefore, stress is never felt. Yoga also helps in maintaining the homeostasis. Therefore one can control psychosomatic diseases like diabetes or asthma with the help of yogic practices. However, a suitable change in the lifestyle and diet control is also essential for such results. Moreover, the influence of yogic practices on the endocrine glands is more evident in females than in males. It is observed by some women that the menstrual cycle may be accelerated or delayed when they start yogic practices particularly uddiyana bandha, kapalbhati, nauli, dhanurasana, halasana, yoga mudra, etc.

Flexibility, suppleness and efficiency in the movements of the body depend on the strength and capacity of the joints. By regular practice of asanas the flexibility of the joints can be increased. Learning and regular practice of asanas in young age offer not only the flexibility but also a proper development of the bones and the joints. Children can increase their height by practicing asanas regularly. The spine is made healthy and stronger with the help of a regular training through exercises and asanas.

HalasanaBy practicing asanas the stability, health and suppleness can be achieved. In nutshell, the main objective of asanas is to promote and maintain perfect health. They re-establish a harmonious functioning of the body and mind as one integrated whole. This reduces stress, strain and tensions arising out of interaction with the external disturbances. Practicing yoga also helps to overcome the internal disturbances like tremor and instability (angamejayatva) by reconditioning the psycho-physiological mechanisms and to prepare one for higher yogic practices like dhyana. Thus, yoga helps to bring about equilibrium in overall functions at the emotional, behavioural and perceptual level. This helps to attain stability and peace of mind as well as a sense of well-being. It also helps to maintain an optimum muscular tone in the body. This provides the best organic vigour to the individual.

Moreover, in asanas like Paschimottanasana and Halasana the relaxation in the final posture allows gravity to act as a stretching force and the muscles are passively stretched. In asanas like Vakrasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana, Matsyasana, the locks and holds help the muscles to remain moderately stretched. In Bhujangasana, Salabhasana, Dhanurasana etc., in an effort to maintain the posture, the muscles are stretched against some resistance from the joints and the tendons. It would be easily noted that the exercise of the trunk portion is more emphasized in corrective asanas. The action of these asanas is more centered upon the vertebral column, particularly the lumbar region, visceral organs and the nerve endings (roots) in this region. Here, the alternate positive and negative pressure gradient will increase the blood circulation. It has been seen experimentally that the autonomic balance is established by practicing various corrective asanas.

Yogamudra AsanaCultural asanas provide best possible movements for the spinal column like (1) forward-bending (flexion) as in Paschimottanasana and Yogamudra, (2) backward-bending (extension) as in Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Ushtrasana and Matsyasana, (3) lateral bending on right and left sides, as in Konasana and Chakrasana (4) rotation of the spine in vertical axis in Matsyendrasana and Vakrasana and (5) topsy-turvy and balancing against gravity as in Sarvangasana, Shirshasana, Viparita karani, Mayurasana, Kukkutasana and Bakasana. The static stretching of the spinal column increases the blood circulation around the spine that tones up its muscles. The nutrition is improved due to increased circulation around the joints and the toxic waste products are also removed effectively. This prevents the stiffening of the joints and increases their mobility. The vertebral column is bent, stretched or rotated in all the directions in various degrees, in different asanas. This exercise and the improved circulation around the spine render it flexible and elastic. The rigidity of the spinal joints is reduced. Growing children above eight and below eighteen years of age, have been found to increase their height by practicing asanas in which the static stretching is maximum.

In most of the asanas the abdominal region is influenced. During the maintenance phase of the asanas the pressure in the abdominal cavity changes, this is reflected on the visceral organs like stomach, colon, urinary bladder, etc. If the normal breathing is continued while maintaining the asanas there is an alternate positive and negative pressure on these visceral organs. If the breath is retained during the maintenance of asana either after inhalation or exhalation, the positive or negative pressures are also maintained for that much duration. This not only changes the blood circulation in that area but also stimulates the visceroreceptors due to stretching of the walls of these organs. The sensory impulses from these receptors will bring about stretch reflexes in the smooth muscles of visceral organs and maintain their optimum tone. Scientific studies have revealed that asanas like Paschi-mottanasana, Padahastasana, Halasana, Dhanurasana, Ustrasana influence the nostril dominance and both the nostrils function more or less equally. This is due to decongestion of the mucosal membrane in the nostrils.

Thus, these asanas recondition various neuromuscular units; including joints, tendons, and other reflex mechanisms and make the body suitable for higher yogic practices.

Meditative asanas provide broad triangular base for the body, formed by two femurs and the pelvis. This broad base gives firm foundation to the body and makes it steady and stable. Even if one looses the body sense during meditation, he remains balanced due to subconscious control of the posture by the lower brain centers.

http://www.indianetzone.com/43/benefits_yoga.htm

09/02/14 (Tue) 02:59:05 No.16470>>16854

Very good thread, will start doing the simple exercise w/ visualization until I read The Science Of Breath.

I've mastered retention but I don't do anything to counciously transmutate the sexual energy except maybe meditation. Let's see how this works.

09/02/14 (Tue) 05:54:22 No.16476>>16509

Breathing exercises can feel bretty amazing

I should really start breathing again, I'll probably go for yoga as my college fitness requirement

09/02/14 (Tue) 06:23:41 No.16480

Practicing pranayama without the guidance of a teacher generally isn't a good idea. If you mess up the breathing ratios or your posture, you can cause major damage to your energetic anatomy which can take months or years to undo.

Unfortunately, most of the Indian systems have been watered down so much and co-opted by hippies and housewives that they've lost their original purpose. I'd recommend looking into Chinese breathing and energy practices (chi kung and nei kung) - they've been far less corrupted, since the west never got their hands on them for the most part, and they are much more diverse and efficient. But that's just me. And of course, they still shouldn't be practiced without a teacher.

09/02/14 (Tue) 20:31:05 No.16509

>>16476
>I should really start breathing again

lol

09/03/14 (Wed) 20:31:09 No.16539

http://www.truthstar.com/yoga/Meditate-to-Realise-your-Superhuman-Potential.aspx

This was a good read.

09/12/14 (Fri) 01:56:41 No.16854>>16863

>>16470
Read the teaching of Samael Aun Weor for sexual transmutation

09/12/14 (Fri) 05:57:13 No.16863>>16938

>>16854
Not the same guy here but it's kinda hard to find the wife his teachings demand.

09/12/14 (Fri) 22:30:59 No.16889>>16893

I read in "Light on Pranayama" that the ratio should be Inhalation = Retention = Exhalation but that seems totally impossible for me, anyone can explain how ratios work and is it wrong if I don't retain my breath during pranayama? (I usually don't retain it or do for only 1 sec)

Also recomend some good books on pranayama.

09/13/14 (Sat) 01:15:12 No.16893

>>16889

If you can't manage the specific instructions for an exercise, don't perform that exercise at all, or you'll just do more harm than good.

Breath retention and lung capacity increase with practice. Start at a point where you can maintain the pattern of breath for a decent period of time with only slight strain, even if it's just 2 - 2 - 2, or 3 - 3 - 3, then when you notice you don't have to strain to maintain that number, increase it by another second. The end goal should be one breath cycle a minute (unless the exercise specifies otherwise), whether it's 30 - 30, 20 - 20 - 20 or 15 - 15 - 15 -15, but don't expect to achieve this without a couple years of daily practice.

09/15/14 (Mon) 11:51:09 No.16938

>>16863
You don't have to do it to the T, transmutation can be done solo. And if you find a partner who you aren't married to you're not going to be damned or whatever Samael A.W. Says.

09/15/14 (Mon) 12:33:16 No.16940

I've done a whole bunch of different breathing stuff as experiments and has some interesting results with some things but I think that the powerful stuff must happen subconsciously as it just seems so strained when you actively think about it and try to do it, so a thoughtform might be necessary to induce the correct breathing.