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 viloma it would be interrupted every two or three seconds, thus bringing the length of the in-breath to twenty-five or thirty seconds. Similarly, with interrupted exhalation the out-breath is lengthened from twenty-five to thirty seconds. This pranayama may be compared to climbing up or down a tall ladder, with a pause at each step’.
Iyengar BKS. Light on Pranayama p.146
This subject is presented in parts and contains articles, videos, and quotes. It is advisable to immerse yourself in the subject, consuming the content thoroughly. Apply a reflective mode, where you might read an article prior to, or immediately after practice. Keep a reflective journal to note your experiences as you engage through the Learn, Study, Practise modes offered throughout this subject. Quotes are often accompanied by an extract of the text. Take the time to engage deeply with the extracts provided. More importantly, support the authors by purchasing the publications for your own library. Articles and book extracts are provided for student study material only and comply with copyright laws. P-04 is a lifetime enrollment
The material in this subject is not intended as a replacement for a teacher but brings together a diverse range of material including articles and video extracts from conventions to deliver a literature review along with experiential knowledge gained through practice.