breath of fire

04-17-2003, 08:07 AM

Dear Mehtab Singh,

The min thing for breath of fire is that it is done properly, using the whole
length of the diaphragm going evenly in with pressure on the navel and solar
plexus, and out, where the lower, middle and upper areas of the diaphragm
project out.

To feel the inhalation aspect of the outward distending diaphragm, you might
want to try to sniff some air in and feeling it through the lungs evenly,
suspend the breath, as though you were still inhaling, but without the
continuation of the filling of the upper clavacular area, as with LDB.

You should feel a sensation all along the diaphragm, that may even be felt in
the face, brow and crown, like a radiation. Then compress the diaphragm
inwards, without squeezing the air out completely, as with LDB or, moreso,
kapalabati at the navel and solar plexus.

After doing this sniffing in, suspension and contracting back a few times, so
that you can feel the length and breadth of the diaphragm and like one side of a
board that opens evenly in a bellows, begin to expand and contract the diaphragm
rhythmically, then begin to add more speed and power to the breath, evenly
expanding and contracting.

Often people will do the breath of fire using just the upper area of the
diaphragm, and even try to use the rib cage and shoulders to act as a pumping
mechanism, or they may focus on just moving the navel, or they may mistakenly
pump the navel with an inward force, relaxing the breath on the inhale, similar
to kapalabati. None of these is correct or a substitute for breath of fire
done, as described above with the even full length of the diaphragm expanding
and contracting rhythmically with increasing power.

The speed and power of the breath of fire depends on the capacity and
development of the student / practitioner. Some may take quite some time to get
it right, others will get it right from the beginning. Others will get it
right, but it will take time to be able to do the breath with speed and power.

All this to say that so long as you are aware that everyone is doing the breath
properly, the rhythm power and speed are up to the practitioner's capability.
It's better to do it right and develop the right breathing habit than do it
wrong, and not receive the full benefit of the leverage that breath of fire
brings to the kundalini yoga exercise, set, kriya, meditation.

In our classes here in BKK, we start the classes first with an exercise in long
deep breathing, which also assists in discovering the fill length and capacity
of the diaphragm and then we do an exercise, variations as described above, in
breath of fire. As these 2 pranayamas are the prerequisite for gaining the full
benefit of kundalini yoga exercises and full vibratory effect of mantras, we
practice these first. It also brings the mind into a clear state of awareness,
as the blood becomes alkali with the long deep breathing exercise, and electric
from the breath of fire. With the mind still and clear, it becomes much easier
to watch the flow of awareness towards the movements and positions in each
kundalini yoga exercise and link that awareness (which is the universal
consciousness pervading and shining within each of us) to the breath, which in
turn further amplifies the flow of (cosmic) energy into the areas of the body
put under pressure by the posture, movement or position of the exercise, or
kriya, so that you begin to feel the radiance and flow of prana throughout the
body and through the arc-line and aura.... merging with the all-pervasive
consciousness.

At the end of the exercise in long deep breathing and breath of fire, inhale
deeply and hold the breath. The root lock and neck lock should be applied, as
when you do these pranayamas correctly, there will be a great flow of energy
prana circulating throughout the nervous, circulatory and glandular systems, and
the locks channel the energy into nerves and centers that are able to carry a
higher voltage easily, namely the ida, pingala and sushumna.

As you know, root lock is the tightening or pulling in of the anus and sex
organs to lock the anal sphincter muscles, while pulling in on the navel
(arching forward the lower spine), which creates a triangulation effect in the
area between the navel and 4th vertebra, called the Kandal, which regulates the
energy in the body. From the Kandal, the energy will automatically flow to the
base of the spine and upwards through the spine. In the beginning people don't
feel this flow, but after a while the energy awareness is strong enough that you
do feel it naturally.

The neck lock involves pressing the shoulders back and the chest forward, which
converts the inhalation holding the breath to a suspension of the breath, in
particular when you also bring the chin back slightly and extend the neck
upwards by sensing the atlas and axis (top 2 vertebra) and pulling them back and
up with a slight pressure, keeping the head straight. If you do this properly,
the suspended breath will circulate, flow downward to the root lock and
circulate easily up the spine towards and through the brow point and crown.
Just a note that the pulling in of the chin and pulling back and up of the atlas
and axis is slight, not forceful as we sometimes see a soldier at attention.
When the neck lock is done in this way, you will also feel the shoulders, which
you have pressed back, also arch back and seem to lock downwards. Try it and
you will see what is meant here, and feel the difference, if you haven't been
practicing root lock and neck lock in this way.

These locks are important to assist in the easy smooth flow of the prana that is
generated and released when you do long deep breathing and breath of fire
properly as a pranayama on its own or in any position, asana or movement, or
with any meditation or chanting of mantras, where the release of vibratory
energy can be even greater.

When the electromagnetic field becomes balanced and strong, the lower spine will
arch forward pulling from within, the chest will come forward with an inward
pushing pressure, and the root lock and neck lock will pull into place with a
magnetic sensation automatically, and the whole body will fill with light.

While this is a long answer to a simple question, it is important from the
outset of kundalini yoga sets, kriyas and meditations, to breath properly and
execute the locks properly.

One other area of importance, is that as the energy is so much greater, when you
practice properly, it is even more important to be sure that between each
pranayama or kundalini yoga exercise that you wait, pause and let the energy
make it's complete release in the pressured areas related to the exercise, and
then completely circulate so that the glands can secrete, nerves settle with the
restabilizing of the prana and the magnetic field balance. Then you will also
receive and experience the full intended benefit of the kriya and set and
meditation you practice. The difference of effect from pausing between
exercises and not, is enormous. You will feel the whole body radiating
terrifically. Many students, including yourself, as the teacher, will want to
stay on long after the class and meditate in the deepening stillness that by
itself draws you into the seer, until you suddenly realize your Self as the
screen upon which and within which everything appears.

Pieter
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----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 9:07 PM
Subject: [Kundalini Yoga] Digest Number 1511

Message: 20
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 05:37:35 -0500
From: "brian kilton"
Subject: breath of fire

Sat Nam.
When in class (3rd class) and doing the "breath of fire" in various poses should
everyone try and be in the same rhythm or can each person go fast or slow as
suits them? They are all beginners and have different levels of commitment with
practice at home.
thanks again
Brian- Wisconsin
Mehtab Singh

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