Inhale Breath

[Guest guest]

Dear Sky,

 

In principle holding your breath in will not cause physical damage.

However, you need to be the judge. Intense energy is one thing. Pain is

another. Seems like you have this distinction figured out. Also what you

have explained about doing the breath while in the standing Tai Chi posture

illustrates a basic principle that you can apply even when sitting.

Maintaining a grounded center is always beneficial.

 

Sounds like you can get some great highs from the breath. Have fun. And

then relax afterwards and be with your experience until it stabilizes into

stillness.

 

And let us know.

 

Sat Nam,

 

Gururattan Kaur

 

> Another issue I'd like to hear opinions on is my use of a certain

> 'customized' pranayama. I found while performing Hastapadasana, that if I

> inhaled to my full capacity while rising and held it, an enormous

> overwhelming 'surge' would rocket through my body, causing tremors,

flooding

> my vision with a milky glow, and leaving me feeling light and invigorated.

I

> wasn't sure if I was experiencing an ordinary, although very intense

> headrush, due to lack of oxygen or something else. I practiced this

> infrequently, not wanting to cause any physical damage as there was a fair

> amount of 'pain' (more like pure intensity) when doing it. I started doing

> tai chi a few months ago and tried filling my lungs in the same way but

> while standing in the traditional tai chi stance (toes slightly inward,

> knees bent, spine erect with my weight resting on the tan tien/manipura).

I

> found that if I rouse while inhaling a full yogic breathe and then sank

back

> down while restraining, concentrating the pressure around my solar plexus,

> the surge was almost as powerful but much more 'controlled'. I'd like to

> know whether those of you experienced in pranayama consider such a

technique

> to be potentially damaging or not?