The Key to Correct Breathing

 

Author: Addanki Srirangacharyulu

Published 1965

(Copy Right)

 

Extracts from the book:

 

Introduction:

 

Air is the quickening principle of life in all living organisms including human beings and the part it plays in the economy of life cannot therefore be overstated.

It is also called Swara Sastra or the science of breathing. These are a supplement and not substitute for “PraanaYaama”. “Praana Yaama” is the fourth anga or part of   “Astaanga  YOga Sadhana.”. The secular utility of this science is as great as its spiritual value. The contents will guide you to the aspects of correct breathing and derive its benefits.

It is about the secrets of principles of breathing. It is scientifically proven in the findings of “The Law of Rhythmic Breathing” by E.A. Fletcher.

 

“And enterprises of great pith and moment. With this regard, their currents turn awry and lose the name of action.” (William Shakespeare).

I shall only deal with this science as it applies to everyday life from intensely utilitarian point of view. His majesty the air is the king emperor of our body. Respiration (Inhalation) is both inspiration and expiration Exhalation).

 

For healthy living, many modes of breathing have been prescribed from time to time by ancient Rishis as well as the modern physical culturists.

 

  1. Cultivation of correct posture:
  2. .Special exercises for increasing lung capacity.
  3. Costal respiration and diaphragmatic respiration:

 

PRAANA YAAMA :

 

Retention and control of Praana or life breath promotes mental equilibrium and spiritual equanimity leading to the Yogic states of Dhaarana, Dhyaana, and Samaadhi. The eight kinds of kumbhaaka praanayaama may be mentioned here to arouse readers curiosity.

1. Surya Bedha   2. Ujjayi   3. Sitkari   4. Sitali     5. Bastrika   6. Bhramari                7. Murcha           8. Plavani.

The aspirant may practice any one of these as a  preliminary step for purification of Nadis . This may lead to advanced Praana Yaama consisting of puraka(inhalation), Kumbhaka ( Retention) and Rechaka( Exhalation).

In the time ratio of 1:3: 2. For detailed Instructions Reference: Raja Yoga of Swami Vivekananda  and Sivananda’s Yoga asanas  section V or get initiated by a competent Guru.

The nose is having  two nostrils:

Usually, we will be breathing through one nostril at time and on rare occasions both nostrils work.

Breathing with Left nostril is called:   IDA

      Breathing through right nostril is called :  PINGALA.

     Breathing through both nostrils is called : SUSHUMNA

 

There are 72000 nadis  or astral tubes that carry prana currents. Ida , pingala and sushumna are three nadis lying the spinal column.

How to find out which nadi is playing :

 

Feel the breath or use right hand thumb and middle finger to close right nostril and left respectively.

The nadis have their own time table and work like a clock according to some laws. The clock works on sunrise and lunar calendar or Thidhis . They usually alternate every hour.  The details are given in the book. One can see and verify from the chart whether his correct  nadi is working  at that point of time. Ofcourse , you can with practice can make the correct nadi work for you!

 

Favourable nadi for doing of some of the  following works is IDA or breathing through left nostril:

 

  1. All permananet and public works ( Sthira Karma)
  2. Decoration or adornment of a person or a place ( Alankarana)
  3. Long Journeys
  4. Entrance into a  holy place or hermitage
  5. Construction of  building
  6. Construction of a compound wall
  7. Digging of well, tanks canals etc
  8. Performance of a marriage
  9. Taking medicines
  10. Social reforms and doing self less service etc.,

 

Actions that can favourably performed when Right Nostril PINGALA is breathing:

 

  1. Learning balck arts
  2. punishing the enemy
  3. Sexual actions
  4. Sea voyage
  5. Learning sciences
  6. Physical execrcises
  7. Bathing
  8. Taking food
  9. Selling and buying
  10. Practice of music
  11. Arrival  etc.,

 

 

Actions in Sushumna or both nostrils are breathing:

 

  1. Practice of Yoga
  2. Prayer and Japa
  3. Blessing
  4. Cursing  etc.,

 

 

The Different ways of changing Nadis :

 

  1. Yoga Danda:
  2. Insertion of knee
  3. Lying posture
  4. Ardhamatsyendra Asanama
  5. Mechanical obstruction

 

SUSHUMNA:

 

We can induce this nadi by these methods

  1. Bastrika pranayaama
  2. Pachimottana Asana
  3. Sirsha Asana

 

This is beneficial nadi and bliss and happiness will be yours with Sushuman.

 

Though..

“There is  a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how you will”

Yet:…

“Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,

Which we ascribe to heaven”

 

 

Sarvam Sri krishnaarpanamastu

5th March 2006