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with additions, see the AYP
Easy Lessons for Ecstatic Living Books.
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.
Note: For detailed instructions on spinal
breathing, see the
AYP Spinal Breathing Pranayama book.
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