Pranayama

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/11/1999 9:25:17 PM Atlantic Daylight Time,

kvy9 writes:

 

<< For someone like Gorakhnath, my once held little pranayama practice of

taking one breath per minute during 120 hours must be a joke but how many

present day practitioners of Hatha Yoga could perform such a triviality?

 

Jan

>>

 

Harsha: Having had some experience with pranayama, I doubt many could, not

even those living in present day ashrams practicing this on a full time

basis. Taking pranayama to the limit or close to it requires, careful

regulation of food and sensual conduct, and both physical and mental stamina

and a lot of confidence. As I have stated many times, advanced pranayama with

long term forced breath retention is not suitable for most people. Mild

pranayama is a good sedative and can help to balance the emotions. Once the

Kundalini has been awakened, whether pranayama should be practiced, and how

much should be practiced is left to each person's judgment. It is helpful to

have some guidance in these matters.

 

Harsha

[Guest guest]

> HarshaIMTM

>

> In a message dated 5/11/1999 9:25:17 PM Atlantic Daylight Time,

> kvy9 writes:

>

> << For someone like Gorakhnath, my once held little pranayama practice of

> taking one breath per minute during 120 hours must be a joke but how many

> present day practitioners of Hatha Yoga could perform such a triviality?

>

> Jan

> >>

>

> Harsha: Having had some experience with pranayama, I doubt many

> could, not

> even those living in present day ashrams practicing this on a full time

> basis. Taking pranayama to the limit or close to it requires, careful

> regulation of food and sensual conduct, and both physical and

> mental stamina

> and a lot of confidence. As I have stated many times, advanced

> pranayama with

> long term forced breath retention is not suitable for most people. Mild

> pranayama is a good sedative and can help to balance the

> emotions. Once the

> Kundalini has been awakened, whether pranayama should be

> practiced, and how

> much should be practiced is left to each person's judgment. It is

> helpful to

> have some guidance in these matters.

>

> Harsha

 

Some time ago I mentioned my practice of pranayama during walking meditation

that rapidly became a pleasant habit, lasting for some twenty years, much

longer than would have been necessary. When the body has to perform, it will

give accurate feedback signals so one can easily observe the effects. Of

course the body has to be healthy in order to interpret these signals

correctly. With this practice as the basis, the 120 hour pranayama practice

was relatively easy.

 

Jan