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Murchha Pranayama : The more the practice of Pranayama , the more power to increase the retention of breath(Kumbhaka) is acquired. This Pranayama is instrumental in increasing our capacity for retaining our breath for longer duration which ultimately arrests the functions of mind. Control of Pran leads to the control of the Mind. Prans stabilize in the state of Kumbhaka & with the stabilisation of Pran. Mind too attains the state of stability or equability. How to do Murchha Pranayama : Sit in Padamasana or any other comfortable pose. Spine & neck should be erect. Keep the eyes gently closed. Insert both of the thumbs into the ears. Now put the index (tarjani) fingers on the eyes , the middle fingers(Madhyama) on the nostril & the little finger(Kanishtaka) on your lips. Now inhale slowly , gently & deeply through the nostril. Close the nostril with the middle finger & perform Antrik Kumbhaka along with the three Bandhs . Stay in this position as long as possib...

Meaning : The Sun lends energy to the entire solar system. This pranayam is performed through the right nostril & thereby solar energy is infused in all astral tubes & this flow of heat into the human body is ensured. Hence it should be performed only in the winter season. It arouses that part of brain that is source of Pu rush Shakti (Seminal energy). The practice of this pranayam is instrumental in awakening of all the vital centers of energy . Maharishi Gherund described eight kinds of Kumbhak , out of which Surya Bhedi Pranayama is the second type. Detailed technique : Sit in Padamasana keep the neck & spine erect , close the eyes gently. Face should look cheerful. Grasp the left knee firmly with the left hand. Placing the two for fingers of the right hand in the root of the thumb , close the left nostril with right finger. Inhale deeply through the right nostril so much so that its impact is felt from the toe of the top of the crown. Now close the right nostril w...

During the practice of Seetali pranayama the breathing activity inhibits the pituitary gland through hypothalamus the secretion of T.S.H. This result in decrease secretion of thyroxin . This causes low metabolic rate at tissue site to decrease the body temperature. Method : First of all relax in Shavasana for a duration of 2 to 3 minutes, then sit in any meditative pose with the hands on the knees in chin or gyana mudra. Close the eyes & relax the whole body. Extend the tongue outside the mouth as far as possible without strain. Roll the sides of the tongue up so that it forms as a tube . Inhale & draw the breath in through this tube. At the end of inhalation draw the tongue in. Close the mouth & exhale through nose. The breath should produce a noise similar to rushing wind. A feeling of icy coldness will be experienced on the tongue & roof of the mouth. This is one round, practice 9 rounds then the initial oral temperature was noted down with the help of thermome...

Bhramari means a large black bumble- bee & this pranayama is so called because during exhalation a soft humming sound like that of a bumble bee is made. The best time to perform it is in the silence & quiet of the night. Bhramari may be done in two stages , one lying & one sitting. It is beneficial in case of mental stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease etc. According to the 68 shloka of second chapter of Hath Yoga Pradipika , “ By filling the air without making noise like Bhringi (wasp) & expelled it slowly , making noise in the same way ; this practice causes a lot of ecstasy in the mind of yogis”. This pranayama overcomes the playfulness of mind & cures the body & mind from all diseases. When the this practice become rigid the listening power of practitioner also increased & helpful in meditation. Detailed technique : Sit in a comfortable meditative pose , the spinal cord should be erect & the head straight. Close the eyes & relax...

Meaning : Bhastrika means bellows , air is forcibly drawn in & out as if using of bellows. In all other types of pranayama inhalation sets the pace , the pattern & rhythm for exhalation , but in Bhastrika exhalation sets the force & the pace. Here both out & in-beating are vigorous & forceful. The sound is like that made by a blacksmith’s bellows. According to 60 & 61 shloka of second chapter of Hath Yoga Pardipika , “ Sit in Padamasana & keeping the body straight , closing the mouth carefully , let the air be expelled through the nose. It should be filled up to the lotus of the heart , by drawing it in with force , making noise & touching the throat , the chest & the head”. Detailed Technique : Sit in any comfortable meditative pose . Hold the head & spine erect, close the eyes & relax. Breath rapidly 20 times through both the nostrils. Inhale deeply , retain the breath & perform Jalandharbandha or Mool Band ha. After a comfortable...

Meaning : This pranayama cools the system & hence the name. According to Hath Yoga pradipika , shaloka 57 of second chapter, “ The tongue to be pretended a little out of the lips, when the air is drawn in it is kept confined , as before & then expelled slowly through the nostril.” In this pranayama the external air is inhaled through a little pretended tongue into the stomach & is kept in stomach for as long as one can , then is exhaled through both the nostrils slowly. To fill air in the stomach is learned slowly & it cures many diseases of the body as well of the mind.The air should be inhaled deeply & slowly to fill the throat region then the belly. It provide mental tranquility & helpful for the practice of meditation. Detailed Technique : Sit in Padamasana or any meditative pose. Extend the tongue & fold the sides to form a narrow tube. Inhale slowly & deeply through the folded tongue, practice yoga breathing described in the introduction of pran...

Meaning : Loma means hair , the ‘vi’ denotes disjunction or negation. Viloma means anti-hair or against the natural order of things. According ro the hath Yoga Pradipika , shaloka 7, 8, 9 of chapter II, “Adapting the Padamasana the yogi should draw in breath through the Chandera (left nostril) & having retained it to capacity should exhale through the Surya (right nostril).Then he should again fill in the Thornie cavity by taking in breath through the Surya (right nostril) & exhale through the Chandra (left nostril) after performing the Kumbhaka in a systematic manner. Inhaling through that nostril by which he had exhaled & having retained the breath so long as it can be done without supplying the impulse to exhale, one should exhale by the other one slowly nerve rapidly”. Detailed Technique : Sit in Padamasana or any re laxative sitting pose , fold your forefingers & the middle finger of the right hand towards the palm. Now thumb should remain towards the rig...

The Siva Samhita discusses the four stages (avast ha) of pranayama in third chapter these are a) Commencement (arambha ) b) Intent endeavour (ghata) c) Intimate knowledge (parichaya) d) Consummation (nispatti) In the commencement(arambha) stage , the Sadhaka’s interest in pranayama is awakened. In the beginning he is nasty & by reason his exertion & the speed with which he wants result, his body trembles & he perspires. When by perseverance he continues his practice , the tremor & perspiration cease & the Sadhaka reaches the second stage of Intent endeavour(ghata). Ghata means a water pot. The body is compared to pot. Like an unbaked earthen pot , the physical body wears away. Bake it hard in the fire of pranayama to gain stability. In this stage the five Kosas & five Sari res are integrated. After this integration the Sadhaka reaches Intimate knowledge(parchaya avast ha) stage. Parichaya avast ha , where he obtains intimate knowledge of pranayama practi...

Ujjayi Pranayama : The prefix ‘Ud’ menas upward or expanding. It also conveys the sense of pre-eminence of power .‘ Jaya ’ means conquest or success & from another point of view , restraint. In Ujjai , the lungs are fully expanded , with the chest thrust put like that of a mighty conqueror. All stages of this Pranayama expect those with retention (kumbhaka) may be done at any time. However , if the heart feel heavy , full or painful or the diaphragm is hard , & if you are agitated or the heart beat is abnormal , lie down after lying two planks on the floor each about one feet square & half inch thick on the top of each other. Rest the back on the planks ,with your buttocks below them & arms stretched down wards. According to Hath yoga Pradipika ,“Having closed the opening of nadi(larynx), the air should be drawn in such a way that it goes touching from the throat to the chest ,& making noise while passing”. Detailed Technique : Sit in any comfortable posit...

Generally , Pranayama is composed of two words ; Pran + Ayaman Which means breath ,respiration , life , vitality , energy & strength. When used in the plural it denotes certain vital breath or current of energy(pranna – vayus) Ayama means means stretch extension , expansion , length , breath regulation , prolongation of breath. According to ‘Siva Samhita ‘ it is called vayu sodhana'. According to Patanjali Yoga sutras ,“ Pranayama is the cessation of movement of inhalation & exhalation. According to science of pranayama Swami Sivanand says, “ There is an intimate connection between breath , nerve current & the control of the inner prana or vital forces. Prana becomes visible on physical plane as motion or action , & on the mental plane as thought . Pranayama is the means by which a yogi tries to realize within his little body the whole comic life ,& attempts to attain perfection by obtaining all the powers of the universe.” Aims & Objective Of Pranayama...