kumbakh

[Guest guest]

Hi All...

 

I have a question about pranayama, specifically about prolonged breath

expulsion or retention techniques. breathe

 

When performing pranayama, I often feel led to retain breath.

Sometimes I feel only the slightest motion in the throat of an in and

out movement, which suffices for "breathing" reflex, and which usually

stops by itself eventually, leaving the body at rest. But other times,

the lungs feel they want to flex in and out as if breathing, so I let

them press and pull. Usually, they become "weary" of this or

satisfied, and come also to rest. My heart continues to beat, I do not

enter a samadhi, I just rest in deep meditation.

 

But once, sitting to practice after a 30 day fruit fast, the lungs

flexed strongly, and slowly gained speed of in and out. I became

detached. After a while, the heart suddenly leapt up and joined the

lungs in perfect sync and union. They raced at a strong speed

together, the lungs flexing rapidly in time with the heartbeat, with

the feelings of the heart quite evident and ecstatic. Just like a

motor. But the heat generated was strong, and the sweating profuse,

and I eventually stopped out of concern for the flesh and the novelty

of the experience. I noticed no ill effects other than heat and sweat.

 

So I ask, is this a common and well-known experience? What is

happening in this case? Is it safe, or productive of sound yoga?

 

Please help, I am not connected with any group or teacher and have

never read of or encountered this type of thing in all my years of

study.

 

thanks so much,

Scott