Yoga: Three Reasons You Should Not do Bhastrika Pranayama

By Subodh Gupta

Bhastrika Pranayama - (Bellows Breath)

“Too much stoking burns out the boiler of the engine. So also too much practice of Bhastrika wears out the system as the breathing process is forceful” - BKS Iyengar.

The meaning of the Sanskrit word ‘Bhastrika’ is ‘Bellows’, thus the Bhastrika Pranayama is called the ‘bellows breath’. This form of breathing increases the flow of air into the body to produce inner heat at the physical and subtle level.

Bhastrika breathing is a dynamic and highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise requiring a large expenditure of physical energy. It is accomplished by breathing abdominally at the rate of 1-4 breaths per second, with inhalations and exhalations equally emphasized and equally active.

Beginners are advised to practice Bhastrika at a slow breath rate, using 2-second inhalation and 2-seconds exhalation; (15 breaths per minute) with no force on inhalation and exhalation. With regular practice of this pranayama the abdominal muscles will become stronger, so the speed can be increased to 30 breaths per minute, using 1-second inhalation and 1-second exhalation.

Intermediate and advanced students may practice at medium breath rate (1-2 breaths per second) and at fast breath rate (3-4 breaths per second).

Note: Be aware of hyperventilating, and built your capacity slowly.

The Bellows breath activates and invigorates the liver, pancreas, spleen and abdominal muscles, thus toning the digestive system and improving digestion.

During Bhastrika there is an increase in the exchange of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into and out of the bloodstream. This action stimulates the metabolic rate, producing heat and flushing toxins and waste out of the body.

This breathing strengthens and balances the nervous system, bringing peace and tranquility to the mind in preparation for meditation.

The Bhastrika pranayama brings many benefits to a practitioner. However, in some health conditions this particular breathing exercise is not recommended.

Three important reasons (out of many) not to do Bhastrika:

1) Anyone suffering from High blood pressure should not practice this breathing.

2) Person with poor lungs capacity should not attempt Bellows breath.

3) If you are suffering from hernia avoid this pranayama.

Caution: Always check with your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the suitability of this posture for you. It is best to perform this yoga posture in presence of a qualified yoga teacher.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Mr. Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

For reaching to Subodh Gupta Yoga website http://www.subodhgupta.com/ and for Subodh Gupta Corporate yoga webpage http://www.subodhgupta.com/corporateyoga.html

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Yoga and Ethics

By Dharmbir Sharma

The word yoga brings to mind, especially in the West a system of exercises or meditation to keep the body and mind healthy. But yoga is actually a philosophy, one of the six ancient schools of philosophy in India. The literal meaning of the word is union and the aim of yoga philosophy is the union of the individual soul and the Super-soul usually called God. The goal is to evolve the individual human being to spiritual perfection following a long and arduous path of self-discipline. The most authoritative book on yoga is Yoga Sutra of Paatanjali who expounded the philosophy. Yoga is also a science as most of the concepts discussed in Yoga Sutra are rational and even compatible with the views of modern science.

The system of yoga described in Yoga Sutra has eight components and thus it is called ashtaanga yoga. The first two components are called yama and niyama. Yama can be expressed as ‘vows of self-restraint or abstention’; niyama may be understood as ‘binding rules that must be observed’. The next two components belong to the category of exercises that most people are familiar with (aasana and praanayaam. The significance of putting yama and niyama even before the exercises is crucial to the understanding of the philosophy.

In order to start on the spiritual path it is essential that a person has the moral and ethical foundation for the endeavor. The first two components therefore provide the steps for character building. Each of these consists of different but related sub-components. Yama has five – nonviolence (ahimsaa), truthfulness (satya), honesty or lack of tendency to misappropriate (aasteya), sexual continence or restraint (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha). Niyama also has five and they are: purity or cleanliness (shaucha), contentment (santosha), austerity (tapah), self-study leading to the knowledge of the Self (svaadhyaaya), and complete surrender to God (Ishwar-pranidhaan).

It may be seen that the elements included in these two components define the traits of character that constitute ethical behavior in modern civilized societies. The practice of these elements has the common purpose of character building in the person starting yoga training. However, there is a subtle difference in the nature of practices involved under each component. Those under yama are moral and prohibitive in nature, while those under niyama are constructive and disciplinary in nature. Yama lays down the foundations of an ethical life and niyama helps the practitioner in making life organized and disciplined.

We thus see that the very basis of yoga is character building with emphasis on moral and ethical behavior. It is of course possible to start directly with exercises and meditation; that will certainly keep the body and mind healthy but will not take the person on the path of spiritual uplift. In this sense we can define two types of yoga – physical and spiritual. The former includes exercises and meditation (non-transcendental). It can also include practices of some adept yogis who may have acquired special psychic capabilities like clairvoyance. These are physical in the sense that they deal mainly with the phenomenal world. The spiritual yoga, on the other hand, deals with the inner world and strives for the lofty goal of Self-realization; having the proper ethical and moral foundation is a prerequisite for attaining this goal.

Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to philosophy, science, and self-development.

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Kundalini Yoga

By Richard Pettinger

Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of prana. Prana is the life energy we have within. In Kundalini Yoga a seeker aspires to harness this tremendous power through concentration and meditation. Kundalini Yoga is also known as the power of the Mother aspect of the Divine.

To practise Kundalini yoga we need to take the greatest care, it is advisable to always practise Kundalini yoga under the guidance of a spiritual teacher. The powers of Kundalini yoga can easily be misused causing problems for the seeker.

Sri Chinmoy says:

“If the spiritual centres – muladhara, svadhisthana and manipura – are opened untimely, without full preparation, they can create untold misery for the seeker.”

For this reason Sri Chinmoy advises concentration on the heart centre (anahata) It is here that a seeker can enjoy oneness and pure joy. The anahata centre has purity in abundant measure. This purity can be used to illumine the other centres, especially the lower ones. To open a charka a seeker needs to concentrate all his awareness on the particular energy centre, and invoke the presiding deity of the charka. Successful practise of Kundalini Yoga requires a seeker to gain control over his thoughts. He must become one-pointed and able to concentrate solely on his spiritual practise. For this there is no short-cut. Like other yoga’s an aspirant needs to develop spiritual discipline and learn the art of concentration.

Through practising Kundalini yoga an aspirant can develop occult, psychic powers. These powers can be used for constructive or destructive purposes, but quite often they are misused. For example the ability to read someone else’s mind can create problems and is likely to be resented by those who it is used on. The temptation is for seekers to use the Kundalini powers from an egoistic perspective. This is when problems will start to occur.

Compared to real spiritual power Kundalini powers are like a toy. On there own occult powers do nothing to expedite the spiritual progress of a seeker. Real spiritual progress comes from praying and meditating on God. Great aspirants and spiritual masters often find that Kundalini powers come of their own accord if they attain a certain level of spiritual realisation. However the powers come at a time when they have conquered the ego and so will not misuse them.

There is a story about Sri Ramakrishna and his dearest disciple Swami Vivekananda. Sri Ramakrishna offered to Swami Vivekananda all his occult powers. Vivekananda asked whether these would help him to realise God. Ramakrishna replied they wouldn’t but he could use these occult powers to do good in the world. Vivekananda replied that if these powers didn’t help his spiritual realisation he didn’t want them. Ramakrishna was so proud of his disciple for not being interested in the temptation of occult powers. Vivekananda went on to become a great Spiritual teacher, becoming one of the first Indian Guru’s to travel to the west.

If a seeker wishes to practise Kundalini yoga then it is vital he practises with the utmost sincerity. In particular he must follow the path devotedly. He should feel the need the importance of purity and love. Here we mean Divine love, love for the Divine Mother. We cannot follow the path of Kundalini Yoga whilst also wallowing in the pleasures of the world.

Also at the same time we should feel that the path of Kundalini Yoga is not indispensable. To make the fastest and safest spiritual progress we can follow other less arduous paths.

Richard lives in Oxford and is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre. Richard writes a blog on different topics such as spirituality meditation and inspiring photos.

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A Look at Yoga and Its Different Branches

By Jim King

Yoga has been around for nearly two millenniums and has evolved gradually into various forms. It is considered one of the best forms of physical and mental exercise. People practice different kinds of yoga according to their needs. The main aim of yoga is to bring about a balance between the mind and body of an individual. Meditation is a part of all forms of yoga.

The basic form of yoga is the Hatha Yoga that enhances the physical aspect of an individual and is also recommended by the doctors as physical therapy. It consists of postures which are also known as asanas accompanied with breathing techniques known as pranayamas. The combination of asanas and pranayamas has been found very effective in treating and controlling a number of diseases.

Raja Yoga is another form of yoga that is closely linked with the Hatha Yoga. Once an individual becomes acquainted with it and has gained some proficiency in performing the asanas and pranayamas, this acts like a prerequisite to move to a higher level, that is, the Raja Yoga which is a more classical form of yoga which enables an individual to prepare himself for meditation for a longer duration of time. Certain religious groups follow this branch of yoga to attain more focus and concentration during meditation, for example, the Brahmakumaris. This is undertaken by people who have a more philosophical bent of mind and believe in asceticism and leading a life of deep meditation.

Karma Yoga is a practical application of yoga where the emphasis is on the deeds of an individual. The concept is that whatever an individual does in the present has a direct bearing on the future just as the present is the direct result of past deeds. The people who practice this form of yoga are conscious of leading a selfless life and are inclined to helping others as much as they can. This should be practiced on a daily basis whether at home or at work. This is a goal oriented yoga which makes a person introspect and meditate on life after death. Peace Corps, NGOs are examples of people who perform karma yoga at a conscious level.

Jnana Yoga can be cited as the most difficult form of yoga as it is directly related to the intellectual aspect of an individual. It involves the development of intelligence and wisdom through the study of the ancient texts and scriptures. This can be undertaken by scholars who have the interest and can devote their time patiently to unraveling the mysteries from the past.

Another form of yoga that is quite popular among the masses is the path of devotion called the Bhakti Yoga. In this form it is believed that everything is a creation of God hence God is everywhere and thus one must appreciate, respect and tolerate all forms of life one encounters.

It may not be possible to practice all forms of yoga by an individual considering his circumstances but it is certainly recommended that a person can choose the form of yoga that is suitable to him and try to achieve that balance between his body and mind to become a more productive and useful individual in his society.

For more helpful information on yoga and the fundamental principals of yoga visit http://www.yoga-explained.com

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