1.7 Concept And Principles Of Pranayama

Question 1

Define Pranayama in terms of the meanings of its root words

Answer 1

Prana - vital force
Ayama - to stretch or expand

It is a process by which the internal pranic store is increased.

Question 2

What are the elements of pranayama?

Answer 2

Puraka (Inhalation)

Rechaka (Exhalation)

Kumbhaka (Retention)

Antara Kumbhaka (Internal Retention)

Bahya Kumbhaka (External Retention)

Kevala Kumbhaka (A transcendental Kumbhaka, which occurs spontaneously through the regular practice of pranayama).

Question 3

What are the three main types of breathing?

Answer 3

Diaphragmatic
Thoracic
Clavicular

Question 4

Which mudra (s) complement Diaphragmatic breathing

Answer 4

Dhyana or Chin

Question 5

What is sectional breathing?

Answer 5

Sectional breathing describes focusing the breathing into one of three sections of the torso, either diaphragmatic, abdominal, and clavicular breathing.

Question 6

What mudra (s) complement Thoracic breathing?

Answer 6

Chinmayi mudra

Question 7

What mudra (s) complement Clavicular breathing?

Answer 7

Adi mudra

Question 8

Explain the full yogic breath

Answer 8

A full yogic breath involves all three types of breathing. The movements during the breathing are no longer separated.
One full yoga breath includes one smooth, continuous flow of breath in and out, involving non-jerky movements of the abdomen, chest, and collarbone.
Imagine filling the water in a pot. As we pour in the water, the bottom of the pot gets filled at first. While emptying the pot, the bottom of the pot gets emptied last.

Question 9

WHich asana is appropriate for performing full yogic breath?

Answer 9

Sukhasana
Padmasana
Vajrasana

Question 10

Which mudra is appropriate for the full yogic breath?

Answer 10

Bhairavi or
Bhairava

Question 11

What is an alternate term for Nadi Shodhan Pranayama?

Answer 11

Anuloma Viloma

Question 12

Nadi Shodhan Pranayama is mentioned separately from Pranayama/Kumbhaka in HYP. Why is this?

Answer 12

Both texts say that before the practitioner begins the pranayama / Kumbhakas, one should clean the Nadis by Nadi Shodhan Pranayama.

Question 13

According to GS, in which direction should one face to perform Nadi Shodhan Pranayam?

Answer 13

East or North

Question 14

How many Nadis are said to be in the body? Which three are the most important?

Answer 14

72,000
Ida
Pingala
Sushumna

Question 15

The left nostril nadi, representing the feminine, or moon side is called

Answer 15

Ida

Question 16

The right nostril nadi, representing the masculine or sun is called

Answer 16

Pingala

Question 17

The ____________nadi originates from the tailbone and rises up through the spinal cord.

Answer 17

Sushumna

Question 18

What is the most suggested asana for Nadi Shodhana?

Answer 18

Padmasana

Question 19

What is the basic ratio for Puraka:Kumbhaka:Rechaka?

Answer 19

1:4:2

Question 20

What is the usual ratio count for Nadi Shodhana per HYP?

Answer 20

4:16:8

Question 21

What is the maximum count for Nadi Shodhaha per HYP?

Answer 21

20:80:40

Question 22

What is the breath count ratio for Bahya Kumbhak?

Answer 22

1:4:2:3

Question 23

What is the maximum breath count ratio for Bayha Kumbhak?

Answer 23

20:80:40:60

Question 24

What are the two forms of Nadi Shodhana per GS?

Answer 24

Samanu and Nirmanu

Question 25

Describe Samanu Nadi Shodhana

Answer 25

Samanu- This is done with the Beeja mantra.

First, inhale through the left nostril while chanting the beej mantra for Vayu “yam” 16 times then hold your breath in (Antah-Kumbhaka) while chanting the “Yam” 64 times and exhale through the right nostril while chanting “yam” 32 chants.

Now inhale through the right nostril while chanting the Beeja mantra for fire “ram”, 16 times, then hold your breath while chanting the “ram” 64 times and exhale through the left nostrils while chanting “ram” 32 times.

Then think of the moon on the tip of the nose and inhale again through the left nostril while chanting “Tham” 16 times, then hold the breath in for 64 chants of “Vam” and exhale through the right while chanting “Lam” 32 times.

Question 26

What is Nirmanu?

Answer 26

Cleaning the Nadis with Dhauti karma

Question 27

In Nadi Shodhan, we always begin with the __________ nostril. Why?

Answer 27

Left
Left nostril breathing energizes Ida Nadi or lunar energy which brings coldness and anabolic effects to the body.

Question 28

What are the 8 types of Pranayama or Kumbhaka according to HYP?

Answer 28

Surya Bheda

Ujjayi

Seetkari

Sheetali

Bhastrika

Bhramri

Moorchha

Plavini

Question 29

What are the 8 types of pranayama according to GS?

Answer 29

Sahita

 Sagarbha Kumbhaka- With         Beejmantra

  Nigarbha Kumbhaka- Without Beejmantra

Surya Bhedana

Ujjayi

Sheetali

Bhastrika

Bhramri

Moorchha

Kevali

Question 30

Chale- Vatam- Chale- Chittam- Nishchale- Nishchalam- Bhavet |

Yogi- Sthanutvam- Apnoti - Tato- Vayum- Nirodhyet ||HYP||

Answer 30

When prana moves, Chitta (the mental force) moves, When prana is without movement, Chitta is without movement. By this (steadiness of prana) the yogi attains steadiness and should thus restrain the Vayu.