Pranayama Subjects

‘Now start interrupted inhalation, as follows: Inhale for two or three seconds, pause and hold the breath for two or three seconds; again inhale for two or three seconds, pause and hold the breath for two or three seconds. To pause, the diaphragm is lightly gripped. Do not let the diaphragm loose when you breathe […]

Iyengar writes Pranayama may be broadly divided into two categories: (a) When there is no digital control over the nostrils. (b) When the thumb and two fingers of the right hand are used to regulate and control the flow of breath through the nose. This is called digitally controlled pranayama. Moreover, this pranayama is of

‘Anu means with, along with or connected: also in an orderly succession. Anuloma, therefore, means in regular gradation, with the hair (loma = hair), along the grain or in natural order. In Anuloma Pranayama, inhalation is done through both nostrils and exhalation alternately through either nostril. Prati means opposite. This type of Pranayama is the

‘In the third chapter of Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swatmarama states that as long as the breath and prana are still, the chitta is steady and there can be no discharge of semen. In time the sadhaka’s increased vigour is sublimated for higher and nobler pursuits. He then attains the state of urdhva-retas, one who has

In Light on Pranayama BKS Iyengar writes: ‘The prefix ‘ud’ means upwards or expanding. It also conveys the sense of pre-eminence and power. ‘Jaya’ means conquest or success, and, from another point of view, restraint. In ujjayi the lungs are fully expanded, with the chest thrust out like that of a mighty conqueror’. Iyengar BKS Light on Pranayama p.123 Having

‘Bhastrika means bellows: air is forcibly drawn in and out as if using a pair of bellows. In all other types of pranayama inhalation sets the pace, the pattern and the rhythm for exhalation, but in bhastrika exhalation sets the force and the pace. Here both out and in-breaths are vigorous and forceful. The sound

‘Kumbha means a pot which can be full or empty. Kumbhaka is of two types. It is either (a) a pause between an in and an out breath or (b) between an out and an in breath. It is the art of retaining the breath in a state of suspense. It also means the withdrawal of the intellect

BKS Iyengar writes: ‘Loma means hair, the ‘ vi’ denotes disjunction or negation. Viloma means anti-hair or against the natural order of things. In viloma pranayama inhalation or exhalation is not a continuous process, but one that is interrupted by several pauses. For instance, if one complete inhalation were to take fifteen seconds, then in

‘In pranayamic inspiration, diaphragmatic contraction is delayed until after the conscious contraction of the muscles of the anterior and lateral abdominal wall. These muscles are diagonally connected to the ribcage above and the pelvis below’. Iyengar BKS. Light on Pranayama p.23-24. This subject is presented in seven parts and contains articles, video and audio extracts,