Nauli - Bastrika

[Guest guest]

It seems there is a whole stream of teachers

initiated by David Williams who start the practice by

teaching Nauli. It is an excellent practice, but is a Kria

- a special cleansing exercise normally performed

for a period of time to deal with specific

problems.<br><br>When I first went to Mysore 10 years ago no one was

practicing it (at least publicly).<br><br>Even though

Ashtanga Yoga seems like a standardized form, in practice

it is taught in a subtly different way to each

student. It may be that Guruji taught nauli to David W and

he then took it to be universal system for

everyone.<br><br>Only recently, since Yoga Mala came out in English (it

was written 30 years ago) - does Guruji mention Nauli

to be done in Kukkutasana. I've asked him about it

in Mysore, and as I said above he says its a kriya

and not part of the practice. He also said it should

not be done by women as it can adversely affect the

uterus.<br><br>Having said that I know teachers who have been

practicing and teaching it for 25 years with no adverse

effects - and with great benefits.<br><br>Ujjia breathing

is really not a pranayama - it can only be called

pranayama if used in conjunction with retention of breath.

Mula Bandha is to be held at all times, not just

during practice (except while going to the toilet).

<br><br>According to BNS Iyengar (Mysore) - uddiana bandha -

contracting the abdomen below the navel, initiates mula

bandha as well. <br><br>Bastrika is another Kriya.

Guruji teaches slow breathing (with sound) in Ut

Pluthihi - and encourages one to build up to 100 breaths

or more. The same teachers who start the practice

with Nauli, use Bastrika too - but with a strong in

and exhale from the throat like ujjia. I learned

Bastrika from BNS Iyengar - he teaches to breathe from the

nostril (not the throat) only emphasizing the exhale and

letting the inhale come by itself.