|
|
|
Podcast
Yoga
Tantra
Yantras
Meditation Music
Guru
No part of this Site may be reproduced in any form, without explicit written permission.
|
P R A N A M U D R A This does not mean that you cannot share this technique with some other people, it simply means that it is better if you perform it secretly. The asana-s can be practiced together with other people, without diminishing or affecting their effects in any way. However, the Prana Mudra should be performed in secret. The yogic texts are categorical regarding Prana Mudra and they assert clearly that any presence, including that of your lover is a disturbing element, preventing us from perceiving the secret effect of the technique, as well as its profound and spiritual sense of this complex pranayama technique. The recommendations and the urge to secrecy go even further regarding Prana Mudra, as not even the results obtained after its practice should not be shared with anyone, except for one’s trusted and trustworthy guru. More than any other technique, Prana Mudra is a genuine dialogue with ourselves, done in the intimacy of our own being. The maximum emotional intensity that can be triggered by Prana Mudra performed in solitude. THE AURA BECOMES SHINY AND BRIGHT Prana Mudra is a valuable exercise of breathing, whose numerous benefits had been confirmed by the greatest yogis of India. This exercise enhances the capacity of awareness and control of the subtle energies. Through intense activation of the subtle energies of the fire, our aura becomes larger, purer and brighter. Moreover, due to the focus in the chest area occurs a powerful process of awakening of the soul and revelation of our divine nature. The plus of energy of the pranic forces activated by this type of breathing, associated with the magnetic force irradiating from the fingers generate an unusual state, characterized at the same time by an effervescent dynamism and inner state of focus, and the balance of these two apparently contradicting tendencies leads to the desire to interiorize. This natural tendency is so intense, that some people have said that Prana Mudra awakens the faith in God. This technique is also included in the category of the mudras- symbolic gestures, expressions and apparently simple physical attitudes that trigger remarkable effects. 
Before approaching the first part of the exercise, we suggest you to have a close look at the pictures in order to understand properly both the final position and the intermediary stages. You will understand that Prana Mudra is a special pranayama exercise, combined with movements of the arms and hands. You can do Prana Mudra from Padmasana (The Lotus Pose), Siddhasana (The Perfect Pose), or Vajrasana (The Lightning Pose). People who cannot perform any of these asanas, due to health reasons, we recommend to practice it sitting on a chair. THE FIRST STAGE - RETENTION ON VOID The hands are oriented towards the abdomen, as if they irradiate towards this area. The spine should be perfectly straight. 
Exhale all the air from the lungs, performing in the last phase of the exhalation a contraction of the abdominal muscles. This contraction is associated with Mula Bandha. Before inhaling, stay in retention for several seconds. THE SECOND STAGE - THE DIAPHRAGMATIC STAGE Relax the abdominal muscles, cease to do Mula Bandha, decontracting the perineal area, and start to inhale slowly. The air enters the lungs and the diaphragm comes down, pressing the lower abdomen. THE THIRD STAGE - THE "RIB" STAGE While the diaphragm becomes flat, the hands climb towards the solar plexus (Manipura Chakra). The inhalation follows its own course, the lungs are filled with air, and the elbows are spread from the trunk in order to allow the thorax to open harmoniously and fully. The fingers are no longer oriented towards the body, but they are parallel with the thorax and continue to go upwards in front of the chest, until the lungs will be filled with air. 
At the end of this phase, the hands are close to the clavicle, the elbows are not close to the trunk and the arms are parallel to the floor. The fingers are oriented towards the body. 
THE FOURTH STAGE - THE "CLAVIVLE" STAGE After the diaphragm has become flat, and the thorax is completely open, you can inhale a certain quantity of air in the upper part of the lungs, by lifting the shoulders. The inhalation is complete when the hands pass before the throat and the face and go away from the body until the arms are wide open, and the palms are facing up, as if to capture the sun-rays. At this time, the muscles are relaxed, and the lungs are completely filled with air. 
THE FIFTH STAGE - THE RETENTION WITH THE LUNGS FILLED WITH AIR Stand still and retain the breath for as long as possible, without forcing ourselves, in a state of transfigured inwardness. 
Increase the duration of the retention progressively, without forcing it, while the organism becomes used to the longer retentions. This is the most important stage of the exercise because it requires a certain mental attitude, which we will describe later on. THE SIXTH STAGE - THE EXHALATION The exhalation requires the same gestures as in the case of the inhalation, only in the reverse order. Empty your lungs in their upper part, then the thorax, and then the abdominal area. The hands go down slowly, so that at the end of the exhalation they are oriented again towards the abdomen, which has to be contracted in order to eliminate the final residues of air.
|