Pranayama

Kumbaka is the inability to breathe. Two groups make up kumbaka. First, we may distinguish between retention performed after inhalation and retention performed after exhalation:

After exhaling, bahya kumbaka is retention with empty lungs. It promotes peace. Read more about pranayama on YogiTimes.

Retaining full lungs following an inhale, known as antara kumbaka, enables assimilating prana more fully.

The second makes a distinction between:

If you choose the retention voluntarily, it is sahita kumbaka.
Kevala kumbaka is when spontaneous retention occurs, and inspiration and expiration stop in the latter.

Two essential elements of the voluntary retention of breath are from an energy perspective or sahita kumbaka:

Inhalation, the primary function of prana vayu through which we absorb the prana of the world, is balanced with expiration during retention (the role of apana vayu, which governs the processes of eliminating toxins and waste from the body). In other words, when descending and ascending prana combine, a higher level of energy and consciousness is produced.

When we breathe in, we take in prana. With the help of the bandhas, this prana travels to the Sushumna nadi, where it builds up and awakens the "dormant" kundalini energy at the base of the spine.

Pranayama Method and Practice

There are a few basic guidelines to do pranayama correctly, and the essential suggestions are:

-Gain prior knowledge of asanas, which will help you control the intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles.

-To achieve perfect control over one's abdominal girdle and the art of yoga breathing. Knowing how to use bandhas or other energy closures is also essential.

-To properly adopt one of the meditation positions. The poses that are most suitable are swatikasana, padmasana, badrasana, and siddhasana. These positions allow the thorax to open, the back to be straight, and the diaphragm to have room to move. Arms, the tongue, and the throat should all be loose and intense. Close your eyes (we can look to the right side of the heart).

-Practice with an empty bladder and bowels. The optimum time to practice is first thing in the morning, or give yourself at least 4 hours before you start.

-Before training, we might perform a nasal shower (neti) if our noses are blocked.

-If the mind or body is weak, it is preferable to avoid practicing (for example, if the lungs are congested or we are sick).

-It's crucial to follow each exercise's instructions precisely and avoid using excessive power. It is best to practice under the direction of an accomplished teacher.

-Spend some time in the savasana after the pranayama exercise to unwind.

PRANAYAMA TYPES

There are several forms of pranayama exercises, each with distinct effects and advantages:

Nasagra mudra, also known as the mudra of the nose, should be used to conduct some of these pranayama techniques:

It makes it possible to control breathing through both nostrils. You can do it in one of two ways:

A) Hold out your right hand in front of you, and allow the tips of your middle and index fingers to rest in the space between your eyebrows (location of Ajna chakra). To cover the right nostril, place the thumb and the ring finger next to the left. Next to the ring finger is the little finger. When necessary, we shall cover the left nostril with the ring finger.

To breathe through the left nostril during the pranayama practice, we cover the right nostril with the thumb, and when we breathe through the right nostril, the ring finger covers the left nostril.

B) Put your right hand in front of your face, and fold the middle and index fingers.

We shall seal both fossae with the thumb and ring finger during retention.