Using mantra to measure time and focus

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I am responding to a now erased response to a very interesting combination

of pranayamas and unknown kriya. The responder asked about counting during

pranayama. I am wondering if my creative use of mantra is appropriate.

 

Recently I have been doing a lot of breath counting. I have been using the

very even 8 part mantra, "ra ma da sa, sa se so hung." Hung is usually

longer than the other syllables and there is a pause/breath at the comma so

it may not be the most appropriate mantra. I wish I knew another more even

8 part mantra. Since the mantra is not specified in the directions, I think

it is alright to chose a mantra. I measure out the number of times for the

mantra in one minute at whatever is my rythmn. I guess I would be thrown

off if I were feeling particularily fast or slow.

 

On the other hand, I like to be free of timers. Before the advent of cheap

timers, yogis must have used mantra to measure time in the same way that a

malha (a string of beads) is used. Also, mantra has its own good effects

such as focus and the meaning of the mantra etc. I have very poor eye sight

and just don't like searching around for my timer. I don't like to

practice in the bright light necessary to see or find my timer. This mantra

counting does not work with every exercise and it is only useful if you are

doing an exercise many times so you know the count and your energy level is

relatively even and predictable.

 

I am using the joints of my fingers to count. I start at the bottom joint

(nearest to my palm) of my index finger. Unlike the thumb, every on other

finger has 3 joints and then I count the top of my finger. When the asana

allows putting the thumb against the joint I remember by the placement of my

thumb, but also just imagining the finger seems ok. For example, for spinal

flexes, back and forth would be two syllables such as ra ma. All four

fingers plus two more joints equals about a minute in my movements.

 

I use the mool mantra when I practice a movement that requires smooth

concentrated effort. There is a kriya where the mool mantra is specified

for sit ups. In that case, it is the longer version of the mool mantra (it

includes the part past "jap" (Aad such, Jugaad such, Hai bhee such, Naank

hosi bhee such). You lay down and sit upand then lean over going all the

way to your toes with your hands and legs spread apart. Palms are up. It's

for glandular balance. I get a bit dizzy doing this so it doesn't work to

try to count, but the mantra itself seems to regulate my breath,

concentration and expenditure of energy. You do it for 11 minutes.

 

The mool mantra works for other movements as well. This morning I did what

I call the "catepillar" to this 30 second mool mantra. On my hands and

knees I bowed to the floor and slithered forward into first "chataranga" or

lying parallel to the floor hovering several inches above the floor and then

pushing up to a cobra. It is a hatha/ashtanga?? yoga move. Maybe doing

this hatha move is inappropriate??? I am not doing it as part of a kriya, I

am just moving from asana to asana as fancy moves me. Sometimes I don't

want to be so efficient and proper. I just want to explore. As I read more

and more about Kundalini yoga, I find other yoga forms. Maybe I will find

this move someday in the Kundalini literature. I would not recommend mixing

in a very streneous breath such as the breath of fire with other hatha yoga

asana, but this feels very mild and natural.