Ritual

Asana schematically analysed to
indicate circuits of Pranic and
psychic energy.
Asana-mandala. Diagram of the
five elements, Panehabhuta.
146
a stable triangular base on which the whole body makes a 'closed
circuit' of the energy field so that the currents do not flow out from
the tips of the hands and feet but are continually retained or
'locked' within the body circuit while the position is held. After
mastery over the posture of the body, the next step is to build
energy within the system by taking deeper breaths in order to fill
the lungs from apex to base, so as to absorb a maximum quantity of
Prana current.
Next, and of equal importance, is achieving rhythmical
respiration by striking a correct ratio between the different phases
of a breath unit. A breath unit consists of three parts: inhalation
(shallow or deep), retention of the breath at any point of
inhalation, and exhalation. Rhythm in breathing is a balance, a
correct ratio, between these three. The correct timing of inhalation
(puraka), retention (kumbhaka) and exhalation (rechaka) is 1 : 4 :2.
Thus the duration of the breath control in degrees enumerated in
seconds will be:
Low
Intermediate
High
Breathing
in
6
4
8
Inner chalice
(retention)
16 1/2
33i
50
Breathing
out
8
10-12
12-16
Outer
chalice
(repose)
The air is breathed in slowly through the left nostril, connected
with the lunar channel, Ida, while the other is closed with the
thumb. The breath is held and exhaled according to a specific
rhythm. The exercise is repeated in the same rhythm and timing
with the right nostril, which is connected with the solar channel,
Pingala. During the exercise the syllable Om or a bija mantra is
repeated to measure the relative duration of inhalation and
exhalation; at the same time it is also essential to concentrate on the
two nerve currents (Ida and Pingala) by their repeated and
rhythmic filling and emptying; one feels, as it were, that one is
sending the current impulses to strike at the root impulses of
Kundalini.
After completing a round of Pranayama, it is necessary to lie flat
on the back, like a corpse (known as Savasana), to relax and calm
the mind. The number of exercises should be increased gradually.
When the breath is retained over a longer period more energy is
2
1
3