Jul 17, 2022
KUNDALINI AND CHAKRA ENERGY — PART 3
PRANAYAMA — Yoga benefits, breathwork, techniques, and types!
Please click here for Kundalini and Chakra Energy Part 2
What is PRANAYAMA?
Prana = Life Energy or Vital Life Force
Yama = Gain Control
Pranayama also means to elevate the Vital life force energy.
The assigned proper Pranayama (controlling your life energy) channels each Chakra’s energy. Most people call Pranayama a breathing technique, which is not an accurate description.
Yes, it involves breathing exercises while practicing Pranayama, but we control that life energy within us and channel it through Eda and Pingala Nadi. If you are new to this concept and learning this technique, please make sure your teacher is expert and experienced. Don’t hesitate to question them.
Why do I need to know about Pranayama for Chakra or Kundalini Energy awakening?
The simple answer is Pranayama plays a vital part in channeling the Energy from Root Chakra (मूलाधार Muladhara) to Crown chakra (सहस्रार Sahasrara).
Once we start activating our energy, we require a free-flowing path so our magnificent energy can move upward to Crown chakra (सहस्रार Sahasrara). Pranayama helps us clear this beautiful path.
My beloved Sri Krishna and Swami Vivekananda have come to help me put this article together. Of course, Sri Patanjali has explained it so well that anyone can understand and practice the concept in their daily lives. Let’s see what they are saying.
What is Vayu and Apana?
Vayu = an energetic force that moves in a specific direction to control bodily functions and activities.
Apana = Is the prana vayu that involves the downward and outward flow of energy from the body.
Apana Vayu governs the outward flow of energy on the breath. The seat of Apana Vayu is the Root Chakra (Muladhara).
Here you will find a detailed description of Pranayama explained by Bhagavan Sri Krishna himself.
Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 4, Verse 29
अपाने जुह्वति प्राणं प्राणेऽपानं तथापरे |
प्राणापानगती रुद्ध्वा प्राणायामपरायणा: || 29||
English Translation of Sanskrit Commentary By Sri Shankaracharya
Pranayama- Constantly practicing control of the vital forces.
The three motions of Pranayama (control of the vital forces) are:
1. Purak: Inhalation through nostrils
The process by which we draw the breath in.
2. Kumbhak: Retention
The action is when the breath is held in the lungs or stopped from entering the lungs, and also, the step is when the breath is held outside from entering the lungs.
3. Rechak: Exhalation
The process by which we take our breath out.
What is Kumbhak?
It is a practice of stopping your breath, either inside or outside.
There are two kinds of Kumbhak
1. Internal: Holding the breath in the lungs after inhalation.
2. External: keeping the lungs empty after exhalation
What is Prana Apana Gati (speed)?
By stopping the movements of the outgoing and the incoming breaths. The outgoing breath (exhalation) through the mouth and the nostrils is the movement of the Prana. As opposed to that, the movement of Apana is the going down (of breath) (inhalation); these constitute the prana-Apana Gati (speed). Speed is exceptionally vital in Pranayama.
Swami Vivekananda says, “Pranayama is joining the Prana and Apana.” ‘Solely absorbed in the restraint of the breath means ‘Kevala Kumbhak.’ That is the breath becoming still without effort. That is the goal of Pranayama.”
Now let’s look at the Patanjali Yoga Sutra. Patanjali insists upon mastering the Yama, Niyama, Asana prior to practice Pranayama. So, let’s get a basic understanding of these concepts; you can practice them first before jumping on Pranayama.
Yama: Moral discipline
This is most important and has to govern the whole life
· Ahimsa: Not injuring any being by thought, word, or deed.
· Satya: Purity of Speech and Truthfulness in thought, word, or deed.
· Asteya (non-stealing): non-covetousness in thought, word, or deed.
· Brahmacharya: Perfect chastity in thought, word, or deed. Having a mindful awareness of energy expenditure.
· Aparigraha (non-greed): Be mindful of what we have.
Niyama
observances: Bodily care, bathing daily, dietary, etc.
Asana
Posture or Seat. Hips, shoulders, and head must be held straight, freeing the spine from tension.
I will not discuss Yama, Niyama, and Asana here. At least from the Asana section, if you can sit still in one posture for at least an hour, you are ok to practice Pranayama. If your body is not well prepared and you start on Pranayama, you may experience unfortunate results. I would strongly recommend learning Pranayama from an expert only. Also, understand that a certificate on the wall doesn’t confirm the authenticity of the expertise. Moderation of diet is essential, along with the perfect Asana.
If you are keen on awakening the Kundalini, or you are on a path to enlightenment, Yama and Niyama can’t be ignored.
Sri Patanjali explains Pranayama:
Patanjali Yoga: Chapter 2 / 49
तस्मिन्सति श्वासप्रश्वासयोर्गतिविच्छेदः प्राणायामः ॥ २.४९॥
Commentary on Sri Patanjali Yoga sutra by Swami Vivekananda
When posture has been conquered, then the motion of the Prana is to be broken and controlled. Thus, we come to Pranayama, regulating the body’s vital forces. Prana is not breath, though it is usually so translated. It is the total cosmic energy. It is the energy in each body, and its most apparent manifestation is the motion of the lungs. This motion is caused by Prana drawing in the breath we seek to control in Pranayama. We begin by controlling the breath as the easiest way to control the Prana.
Patanjali Yoga: Chapter 2 / 50
बाह्याभ्यन्तरस्तम्भवृत्तिर्देशकालसंख्याभिः परिदृष्टो दीर्घसूक्ष्मः ॥ २.५०॥
Commentary on Sri Patanjali Yoga sutra by Swami Vivekananda
Pranayama’s three sorts of motion are one by which we draw the breath in, another by which we throw it out, and the third act is when the breath is held in the lungs or stopped from entering the lungs. These, again, are varied by place and time.
Here The place means, The Prana is held to some particular body part. By the time is meant how long the Prana should be confined to a specific area, we are told how many seconds to keep one motion and how many seconds to keep another.
Patanjali Yoga: Chapter 2 / 51
बाह्याभ्यन्तरविषयाक्षेपी चतुर्थः ॥ २.५१॥
Commentary on Sri Patanjali Yoga sutra by Swami Vivekananda
This is the fourth sort of Pranayama, in which the Kumbhak is brought about by long practice attended with reflection, which is absent in the other three.
Patanjali Yoga: Chapter 2 / 52
ततः क्षीयते प्रकाशावरणम् ॥ २.५२॥
Commentary on Sri Patanjali Yoga sutra by Swami Vivekananda
The Chitta has, by its nature, all knowledge. It is made of Sattva particles but obscured by Rajas and Tamas particles, and Pranayama removes this covering.
There are many types of Pranayama you can practice. Still, if you are keen on awakening your Kundalini energy and Chakra energy, you need to practice the selected FIVE Pranayama focusing on the energy.
Please click here for Kundalini and Chakra Energy Part 4
