Mastering Pranayama · From Breathing Techniques to Kundalini Awakening by Shah Grouven, Radhika -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Front Matter

Imprint Dedication Acknowledgement Chapter Summaries Preface

Part 1: The Foundation 1. Pranayama, the Shortcut to Immortality

Meaning of Pranayama Difference between Breathing Exercises and Pranayama Difference between Breath and Prana Breath and Mind Breath and Life Span What happens when the breath slows down Benefits of Breathing Exercises Dangers of Incorrect Breathing Exercises Precautionary Measures

2. Are you breathing right?

Why is our breathing incorrect? How to correct faulty breathing The 7 Step Program Criteria for a Natural and Optimal Respiratory Pattern Are you breathing right? How to train Diaphragmatic Breathing Equal Diaphragmatic Breathing Smooth out Irregularities of the Breath Limitations Jalaneti: A Cleansing Technique Q&A

3. Finding the Best Posture or the Science of Sitting

Postures for Pranayama: Seated and Supine Five Important Criteria for a Seated Posture Maitri Asana: The Friendship Pose How to make a Meditation Seat Vajrasana: The Thunderbolt Pose Sukhasana: The Easy Pose Ardha Padmasana: The Half Lotus Pose Padmasana: The Lotus Pose Svastikasana: The Auspicious Pose Siddhasana: The Accomplished Pose What is the Best Posture for me? Q&A

4. Basic Breathing Techniques

Order of Practice The Most Important Step: Check the Base Count Equal Breathing

Variation 1: With Counts Variation 2: Without Counts

Rechaka or 2:1 Breathing

Variation 1: With Counts Variation 2: Without counts

Kapalabhati Bhastrika: The Bellows Ujjayi Bhramari Breathing and One-pointedness Purpose of Breathing Exercises and Pranayama Q&A

5. Svarodaya, the Mystical Science of Breath

What is Anuloma Viloma? Nadi Shodhanam: Alternate Breathing

How to practice Vishnu Mudra Base for Nadi Shodhanam

How to practice Nadi Shodhanam Understanding the Three Variations of Nadi Shodhanam The Science of Breath and Prana

Breath and the Pranavadins Breath, Mind and Nadis

Dangers of Nadi Shodhanam

Part 2: Advanced 6. An Ancient Secret is revealed

The Secret to Mastering Pranayama How to practice Nadi Shodhanam without Vishnu Mudra Important Tips Sushumna Kriya

Variation 1: Simple Sushumna Kriya Variation 2: Sushumna Kriya with Soham Variation 3: Sushumna Kriya without Pause Variation 4: Sushumna Kriya with Aum

The Light of Sushumna The Chakras Bhuta Shuddhi and Sushumna Kriya Q&A

7. The Wedding of the Sun and the Moon

Sandhya: The Meeting of Day and Night The Natural Cycles of our World How to practice Sandhya Kriya

With external aids Without external aids

Sukhamana: Threshold to an Unknown World Inviting the Hidden to come forward Sandhya Bhasha: Mystical Language of the Sages Q&A

8. Holding on to the Thread of Awareness

Principles of Advanced Pranayama

Movement to stillness External to internal Multi-pointedness to one-pointedness

The Margas: The Three Paths

Dissolution Manifestation The Complete Path

The Transitions The Fourth Pranayama is Prana itself Nine Factors influencing your Practice Q&A

9. The Importance of Lifestyle or How to enjoy Life

Sexuality Food Sleep Self-Preservation The Four Primitive Urges and Awareness Q&A

10. Kumbhaka, the Elusive Breathless State

What is Kumbhaka?

Bahya Kumbhaka: Suspension Abhyantara Kumbhaka: Retention Kevala Kumbhaka: Natural Cessation of Breath Kevala Kumbhaka: The Breathless State

Understanding Kevala Kumbhaka The Five Koshas: The Yogic Body Piercing the Five Layers

11. The Mysterious Fourth Pranayama

General Guidelines Aum Kriya

Variation 1: Equal Breath short Variation 2: Equal Breath long Variation 3: Equal Breath elongated Variation 4: Equal Breath with Aum

Shavyatra

Variation 3: 61 points Variation 2: 31 points Variation 1: Shavasana

Shitalikarana Yoga Nidra

Variation 1: Short version without preparation Variation 2: Longer version with preparation Yoga Nidra and Sleep Yoga Nidra and the Three States of Consciousness

Q&A

12. Reversal of Subtle Energy or Kundalini Awakening

Nadis and Chakras Manipura Chakra and Agni Sara

How to practice Agni Sara Mastering Agni Sara: 7 Month Plan

Granthis or Knots

Rudra Granthi Vishnu Granthi Brahma Granthi Understanding the Granthis

Bandhas and the Reversal of Energy

Mula Bandha, the Root Lock Uddiyana Bandha, the Upward Flying Lock Jalandhara Bandha, the Chin Lock How the Bandhas work

Mudras

Anjali Mudra Jnana Mudra Other Mudras

Awakening and Leading Kundalini Q&A 

13. Leading Kundalini

Kundalini is also called Adi Prana The Wish-fulfilling Genie The Modern Word for Kundalini Shakti: the Cosmic Breath

Appendix

List of Illustrations List of Tables

Useful Links About the Author

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