HATHA YOGA/PART 21
CHAPTER 21.
PRANIC EXERCISES
We have told you in other chapters of
this book, how Prana may be obtained from the air, food and water. We have
given you detailed instruction in breathing, in eating, in the use of fluids.
There remains but little more for us to say upon the subject. But before
leaving it, we have thought it well to give you a bit of the higher theory and
practice of Hatha Yoga, touching upon the acquirement and distribution of
Prana. We allude to what has been called "Rhythmic Breathing,” which is
the keynote to much of the Hatha Yoga practices.
All is in vibration. From the tiniest
atom to the greatest sun, everything is in a state of vibration. There is
nothing in absolute rest in nature. A single atom deprived of vibration would
wreck the universe. In incessant vibration the universal work is performed.
Matter is being constantly played upon by energy and countless forms and
numberless varieties result, and yet even the forms and varieties are not
permanent. They begin to change the moment they are created, and from them are
born innumerable forms, which in turn change and give rise to newer forms, and
so on and on, in infinite succession. Nothing is permanent in the world of
forms, and yet the great Reality is unchangeable. Forms are but
appearances—they come, they go, but the Reality is eternal and unchangeable.
The atoms of the human body are in
constant vibration. Unceasing changes are occurring. In a few months there is
almost a complete change in the matter composing the body, and scarcely a
single atom now composing your body will be found in it a few months hence. Vibration,
constant vibration. Change, constant change.
In all vibration is to be found a
certain rhythm. Rhythm pervades the universe. The swing of the planets around
the sun; the rise and fall of the sea; the beating of the heart; the ebb and
flow of the tide; all follow rhythmic laws. The rays of the sun reach us; the
rain descends upon us, in obedience to the same law. All growth is but an
exhibition of this law. All motion is a manifestation of the law of rhythm.
Our bodies are as much subject to
rhythmic laws as is the planet in its revolution around the sun. Much of the
esoteric side of the Yogi Science of Breath is based upon this known principle
of nature. By falling in with the rhythm of the body, the Yogi manages to
absorb a great amount of Prana, which he disposes of to bring about results
desired by him. We will speak of this at greater length later on.
The body which you occupy is like a
small inlet running in to the land from the sea. Although apparently subject
only to its own laws, it is really subject to the ebb and flow of the tides of
the ocean. The great sea of life is swelling and receding, rising and falling,
and we are responding to its vibrations and rhythm. In a normal condition we
receive the vibration and rhythm of the great ocean of life, and respond to it,
but at times the mouth of the inlet seems choked up with debris, and we fail to
receive the impulse from Mother Ocean, and inharmony manifests within
us.
You have heard how a note on a violin,
if sounded repeatedly and in rhythm, will start into motion vibrations which
will in time destroy a bridge. The same result is true when a regiment of
soldiers crosses a bridge, the order being always given to "break step” on
such an occasion, lest the vibration bring down both bridge and regiment. These
manifestations of the effect of rhythmic motion will give you an idea of the
effect on the body of rhythmic breathing. The whole system catches the
vibration and becomes in harmony with the will, which causes the rhythmic
motion of the lungs, and while in such complete harmony will respond readily to
orders from the will. With the body thus attuned, the Yogi finds no difficulty
in increasing the circulation in any part of the body by an order from the
will, and in the same way he can direct an increased current of nerve force to
any part or organ, strengthening and stimulating it.
In the same way the Yogi by rhythmic breathing "catches the swing,” as
it were, and is able to absorb and control a greatly increased amount of prana,
which is then at the disposal of his will. He can and does use it as a vehicle
for sending forth thoughts to others and for attracting to him all those whose
thoughts are keyed in the same vibration. The phenomena of telepathy, thought
transference, mental healing, mesmerism, etc., which subjects are creating such
an interest in the Western world at the present time, but which have been known to the Yogis for centuries, can be greatly
increased and augmented if the person sending forth the thoughts will do so
after rhythmic breathing. Rhythmic breathing will increase the value of mental
healing, magnetic healing, etc., several hundred per cent.
In rhythmic breathing the main thing to
be acquired is the mental idea of rhythm. To those who know anything of music,
the idea of measured counting is familiar. To others, the rhythmic step of the
soldier: "Left, right; left, right; left, right; one, two, three, four;
one, two, three, four,” will convey the idea.
The Yogi bases his rhythmic time upon a
unit corresponding with the beat of his heart. The heart beat varies in
different persons, but the heart beat unit of each person is the proper
rhythmic standard for that particular individual in his rhythmic breathing.
Ascertain your normal heart beat by placing your fingers over your pulse, and
then count: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,” etc., until the rhythm
becomes firmly fixed in your mind. A little practice will fix the rhythm, so
that you will be able to easily reproduce it. The beginner usually inhales in
about six pulse units, but he will be able to greatly increase this by
practice.
The Yogi rule for rhythmic breathing is
that the units of inhalation and exhalation should be the same, while the units
for retention and between breaths should be one-half the number of those of
inhalation and exhalation.
The following exercise in Rhythmic
Breathing should be thoroughly mastered, as it forms the basis of numerous
other exercises, to which reference will be made later.
·
Sit erect, in an
easy posture, being sure to hold the chest, neck and head as nearly in a
straight line as possible, with shoulders slightly thrown back and hands
resting easily on the lap. In this position the weight of the body is largely
supported by the ribs and the position may be easily maintained. The Yogi has
found that one cannot get the best effect of rhythmic breathing with the chest
drawn in and the abdomen protruding.
·
Inhale slowly a
Complete Breath, counting six pulse units.
·
Retain, counting
three pulse units.
·
Exhale slowly
through the nostrils, counting six pulse units.
·
Count three pulse
beats between breaths.
·
Repeat a number of
times, but avoid fatiguing yourself at the start.
·
When you are ready
to close the exercise, practice the cleansing breath, which will rest you and
cleanse the lungs.
After a little practice you will be
able to increase the duration of the inhalations and exhalations, until about
fifteen pulse units are consumed. In this increase, remember that the units for
retention and between breaths is one-half the units for inhalation and
exhalation.
Do not overdo yourself in your effort
to increase the duration of the breath, but pay as much attention as possible
to acquiring the "rhythm,” as that is more important than the length of
the breath. Practice and try until you get the measured "swing” of the
movement, and until you can almost "feel” the rhythm of the vibratory
motion throughout your whole body. It will require a little practice and
perseverance, but your pleasure at your improvement will make the task an easy
one. The Yogi is a most patient and persevering man, and his great attainments
are due largely to the possession of these qualities.
Prana Generating.
Lying flat on the floor or bed, completely relaxed, with hands resting
lightly over the Solar Plexus (over the pit of the stomach, where the ribs
begin to separate), breathe rhythmically. After the rhythm is fully established
will that each inhalation shall draw in an increased supply of prana or vital
energy from the Universal supply, which will be taken up by the nervous system
and stored in the Solar Plexus. At each exhalation will that the prana
or vital energy shall be distributed all over the body, to every organ and
part; to every muscle, cell and atom; to nerve, artery and vein; from the top
of your head to the soles of your feet; invigorating, strengthening and
stimulating every nerve; recharging every nerve center; sending energy, force
and strength all over the system. While exercising the will, try to form a mental picture of the inrushing prana, coming in
through the lungs and being taken up at once by the Solar Plexus, then with the
exhaling effort, being sent to all parts of the system, down to the finger tips
and down to the toes. It is not necessary to use the Will with an effort.
Simply commanding that which you wish to produce and then making the mental
picture of it is all that is necessary. Calm command with the mental picture is
far better than forcible willing, which only dissipates force needlessly. The
above exercise is most helpful and greatly refreshes and strengthens the
nervous system and produces a restful feeling all over the body. It is
especially beneficial in cases where one is tired or feels a lack of energy.
Changing THE
Circulation.
Lying down or
sitting erect, breathe rhythmically, and with the exhalations direct the
circulation to any part you wish, which may be suffering from imperfect
circulation. This is effective in cases of cold feet or in cases of headache,
the blood being sent downward in both cases, in the first case warming the
feet, and in the latter, relieving the brain from too great pressure. You will
often feel a warm feeling in the legs as the circulation moves downward. The
circulation is largely under the control of the will and rhythmic breathing
renders the task easier.
Recharging.
If you feel that
your vital energy is at a low ebb, and that you need to store up a new supply
quickly, the best plan is to place the feet close together (side by side, of
course) and to lock the fingers of both hands in any way that seems the most
comfortable. This closes the circuit, as it were, and prevents any escape of
prana through the extremities. Then breathe rhythmically a few times, and you
will feel the effect of the recharging.
Brain Stimulation.
The Yogis have found the following exercise most useful
in stimulating the action of the brain for the purpose of producing clear
thinking and reasoning. It has a wonderful effect in clearing the brain and
nervous system, and those engaged in mental work will find it most useful to
them, both in the
direction of enabling them to do better work and also as a means of refreshing
the mind and clearing it after arduous mental labor.
Sit in an erect posture, keeping the
spinal column straight, and the eyes well to the front, letting the hands rest
on the upper part of the legs. Breathe rhythmically, but instead of breathing
through both nostrils, as in the ordinary exercises, press the left nostril
close with the thumb, and inhale through the right nostril. Then remove the
thumb, and close the right nostril with the finger, and then exhale through the
left nostril. Then, without changing the fingers, inhale through the left
nostril, and changing fingers, exhale through the right. Then inhale through
right and exhale through left, and so on, alternating nostrils as above
mentioned, closing the unused nostril with the thumb or forefinger. This is one
of the oldest forms of Yogi breathing, and is quite important and valuable, and
is well worthy of acquirement. But it is quite amusing to the Yogis to know
that to the Western world this method is often held out as being the
"whole secret” of Yogi Breathing. To the minds of many Western readers,
"Yogi Breathing” suggests nothing more than a picture of a Hindu, sitting
erect, and alternating nostrils in the act of breathing. "Only this and
nothing more.” We trust that this little work will open the eyes of the Western
world to the great possibilities of Yogi Breathing, and the numerous methods
whereby it may be employed.
Yogi Grand Psychic
Breath.
The Yogis have a
favorite form of psychic breathing which they practice occasionally, to which
has been given a Sanscrit term of which the above is a general equivalent. We
have given it last, as it requires practice on the part of the student in the
line of rhythmic breathing and mental imagery, which he has now acquired by
means of the preceding exercises. The general principles of the Grand Breath
may be summed up in the old Hindu saying: "Blessed is the Yogi who can
breathe through his bones.” This exercise will fill the entire system with
prana, and the student will emerge from it with every bone, muscle, nerve,
cell, tissue, organ and part energized and attuned by the prana and the rhythm
of the breath. It is a general housecleaning of the system, and he who
practices it carefully will feel as if he had
been given a new body, freshly created, from the crown of his head to the tips
of his toes. We will let the exercise speak for itself.
·
Lie in a relaxed
position, at perfect ease.
·
Breathe
rhythmically until the rhythm is perfectly established.
·
Then, inhaling and
exhaling, form the mental image of the breath being drawn up through the bones
of the legs, and then forced out through them; then through the bones of the
arms; then through the top of the skull; then through the stomach; then through
the reproductive region; then as if it were traveling upward and downward along
the spinal column; and then as if the breath were being inhaled and exhaled
through every pore of the skin, the whole body being filled with prana and
life.
·
Then (breathing rhythmically) send the current of prana to the Seven Vital
Centers, in turn, as follows, using the mental picture as in previous
exercises:
o
To the forehead.
o
To the back of the
head.
o
To the base of the
brain.
o
To the Solar
Plexus.
o
To the Sacral
Region (lower part of the spine).
o
To the region of
the navel.
o
To the
reproductive region.
Finish by sweeping
the current of prana, to and fro, from head to feet, several times.
·
Finish with
Cleansing Breath.
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