Lesson 46 - Pranayama Q&A – Which way is up?

From: Yogani
Date: Mon Dec 15, 2003 2:17pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: Why do we go up the sushumna on inhalation and down on exhalation?
Can it work just as well the other way, down on inhalation and up on
exhalation?

A: In the beginning stages, pranayama can work either way. With basic
spinal breathing, a case can be made for one approach or the other.
However, later on, it becomes clear that learning spinal breathing
going up on inhalation and down on exhalation is the preferred
approach. It will become obvious when we get into new advanced yoga
practices that involve deliberate suspensions of the breath when the
lungs are full. At this time it is necessary for the attention to be
near the top at the sushumna for performing yoga procedures in the
upper part of the body. Also, there will come a time when the breath
suspends automatically with the lungs empty in connection with the
internal biology of prana being released from its vast storehouse
near the base of the spine. This will manifest as an emptying of the
lungs and then a drawing up from near the bottom of the spine. We
will learn means to facilitate this automatic drawing up process that
occurs when the lungs are empty, so the attention will be near the
bottom of the spine then and not at the top. These two types of
suspension of breath are primary determinants on which way we go in
the sushumna with our attention during spinal breathing.

When our breathing stops, we know without a doubt which way is up.
Ultimately, the direction our breathing takes us in the sushumna is
not an arbitrary thing at all.

We will get into more detail on suspension of breath
(called "kumbaka") further down the road in these lessons. By going
up inside the sushumna with your attention during inhalation and down
during exhalation, know that you are laying the right foundation for
all that is to come.

The guru is in you.

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