Kundalini Yoga Info: Prana - Apana Balance

[Guest guest]

Prana-Apana Balance

Originally given by Yogi Bhajan in Spring 1970

 

1). Sit on the ground between the heels in Celibate pose. Keep the spine

straight. Place the

hands palm down on the thighs. Meditate on the flow of breath. Feel the

breath fill the entire

body with vitality and carry all tension out of the body on the exhale.

Continue for 3-5

minutes. Then extend and stretch the legs.

 

2). Sit on the heels in rock pose. Extend the arms out to the sides

parallel to the ground with

the p palms facing up. Inhale deeply as you smoothly rise up to balance

on the knees. The

length of the inhale is a count of 6. Hold the breath in and balance in

this position for a

count of 12. Then slowly exhale as you sit back on the heels. The exhale

takes a count of 6.

Repeat this cycle 8 times. On the 8th cycle, clap the hands 12 times as

you hold the breath

in. Repeat the cycle of 8 once or twice.

 

3) Lie flat on the back with your arms on the ground along the sides

with palms up. (A)

Bring both knees to the chest. Begin a piston-like motion with alternate

legs extending

parallel to the ground in a smooth, powerful motion. Coordinate the

breath with the motion

of the legs in a natural way. Continue for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. (B)

Inhale as you extend and

hold both legs straight up at 90 degrees to the ground. Hold the posture

for 30 seconds. Then

slowly exhale and lower the legs. Relax.

 

4). Lie on the back with the arms on the ground along the sides with the

palms up. Keep the

lower back on the ground as you lift both heels 6 inches from the

ground. Press the toes

gently forward. Do a strong breath of fire. Continue for one minute,

inhale, hold briefly with

mulbandha and relax. After 30 seconds relaxation, repeat the exercise

for one more minute.

 

5). Lie on the stomach with arms on the ground along the sides.

Interlace the hands in venus

lock behind the back. Keep the elbows straight. Inhale powerfully and

quickly as you arch

the spine back and lift the arms up parallel to the ground. Close the

eyes when you inhale.

Hold the posture for 30 seconds. Then exhale completely as you open the

eyes and lower the

chest back to the ground. Repeat this cycle 10-15 times.

 

6). Lie flat on the back with the legs together. Raise the arms straight

up toward the ceiling

with the palms facing each other and the arms parallel. The hands are

open with fingers

straight. Press the toes gently forward. Do Breath of Fire for one

minute. Then inhale deeply

and hold the breath as you make fists of both hands and gradually draw

the fists to the center

of the chest. Create a huge tension in the hands and arms as if you pull

a great weight. The

arms will shake and sweat. When you finally touch the chest, exhale

powerfully. Then

extend the arms Lip and repeat the exercise 2 more times.

 

7). Relax completely on the back. Become aware of all the flows of

energy in the body. Let

your attention and life force gather at the navel point. Feel the beat

of the heart. Let your

inner rhythm guide you into a deep relaxation. Let your mental body go

freely to a pleasant

place. Continue for 5 to 15 minutes.

 

COMMENTS:

 

Prana means the basic life force of the body and mind. When it is strong

and it is distributed

properly in the body, you are healthy and have a clear mind. Prana

divides into prana and

apana. The first is a positive aggregating function in the body. The

second is an eliminating

function. They are polar functions of the same larger force, Prana. When

both prana and

apana are increased in strength and then blended together, there is an

inner stillness and

neutrality that allows the Kundalini energy of awareness to awaken and flow.

 

This kriya is simple, subtle and powerful. It is systematic. Practice it

each day for forty days

to experience a great improvement in health and emotional balance.

 

Exercises 1, 2 and 3 work on the lower chakras. They stimulate the

sexual, eliminative and

digestive functions. The combination activates the reserve energy at the

navel point. It is the

navel point that acts as a cauldron to mix the prana and apana. Exercise

3 must always

follow exercise 2 for this effect to work. Exercises 4, 5 and 6

emphasize the higher chakras

and enhance the functions of the lungs, heart and eyes. Keep the eyes

closed as you hold the

breath in 5 or you may get dizzy. This combination releases pent-up

angers and tension and

establishes a positive outlook on life.