breath hold and root lock distributing energy

[Guest guest]

Sat Nam Christa,

 

I have heard that holding the breath and bringing up the root lock at the

end of an asana creates a lot of energy then distributes that energy

throughout the body and aura. Bringing up the root lock also prevents the

downward flow of apana (which naturally flows down) so that it can be used

to stimulate heat in the navel center by mixing with prana. I don't

actually feel all of that, but that is what I have read. Sometimes in the

directions it tells you to do that and for how many seconds (usually 30

seconds). I don't know the authoritative answer to whether when you should

do the hold on for example the cat or the cow part of the exercise if there

are no directions. I always do it on the cow part. Usually you don't come

back to the neutral postition to do the final breath holding. I always tell

my students that breath holding requires only the closing of a little flap

in the throat. No tension in the shoulders or other parts of the body is

required. Instinctively, I think I do a body scan and look for tension

while I am doing the hold.

 

Blessings,

 

Gian

 

-

"spatialagent1" <spatialagent1

<Kundaliniyoga>

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 8:08 AM

Re: Exs. for maintaining a flexible spine

 

 

> That's a great question, Krishan. I actually started hesitating on

> this point myself the other day. Up to now, as I have read and

> understood the instructions, I would hold the last pose (spine flexed

> forward) with root lock and then relax into a straight spine and

> absorb/feel the effects. But the more I learn about energy and the

> need for a clear, straight path, I begin to doubt that I'm doing it

> correctly. But then I remember the very clear instructions in

> cat/cow, in which the position in cow is held while root lock is

> applied. And the spine is definately flexed then as well. So I've

> rationalized that upon completion of certain sets, holding the final

> position and applying root lock is a way of extending or increasing

> the effect of the set itself. But I would love to hear from others

> who know much more about this than I.

>

> Christa

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gian!

 

I'll need to re-check my instructions. Many don't list a time to

hold, so I've been 'defaulting' to 10-15 seconds. I'll start holding

for 30 and see if I can tell a difference.

 

Christa