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etern s e i wrote:

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In the same way, for Swami Kuvalayananda less than a minute can be too litle but this doesn't means that someone who can't use one minute per round has a pranayama practice not good enough. To me it looks like Swami Kuvalayananda stated this just to let others know that after some practice they can do and must do better.




Actually the statement comes from a discussion where he explains that Pranayama is not for oxygenation, since the normal 15-20 shallow breaths of about 400 cc per minute will give you more oxygen per minute than breathing in Pranayama, since any Pranayama worth its name last more than a minute per round.

Viktor wrote:

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I would argue that the quote "any pranayama worth its name must be of a duration of one minute or more" is a dangerous concept to use. Pranayama is an incredibly subtle and delicate practice and more harm than good will come from overtaxing your system.I have not timed my pranayama breath ratios for many years but I do remember some years ago noticing that my breath cycle lasted about 30 seconds. Currently I begun observing the timing again and it varies from 50 seconds to one minute. I guess in my 26 years of daily practice I haven't begun to do actual pranayama yet! Actually this concept is quite disturbing to me. To measure breath ratios with a clock can be quite dangerous especially if the desired ratio exceeds your capacity.Note that I mentioned *observed* my timing rather than *practice a timing*. I use a different cue to measure how long is the right kumbhaka.
There comes a point during the kumbhaka when my body spontaneously either swallows or automatically begins to inhale a bit deeper. I take this as the signal to begin the exhalation. This inner cue has held me in good stead for many years and I reccomend it rather than timed breathing cycles.

I always assumed that the cycles would get longer and longer, without any effort, just by regular practice. Your cue seems lika a good idea. My first 2-3 cycles in SB are quite long and easy because of the Kap. Then the Kap effect wears off and I feeel a bit short of breath for 3-4 cycles, before coming to a balance for the last 8-10. Shitali is smooth and regular right from the beginning.

Viktor wrote:

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Lavazza,
My experience has shown that the breath cycle lengthens when the layers of inner tension begin to be released. It is not a progressive increase due to increased strength or stamina. perhaps this does happen in the beginning as one becomes acustomed to the practice but then one can go for some years without any noticable increase in breath cycle length (which is fine). This practice is not about how long you can hold your breath (which to me would seem quite silly) but rather a way to have conciousness reach a deeper place internally than it had before, and giving an internal stretch and release to previously deep hidden areas. When genuine releases happen then the breath cycle can indeed lengthen but tryng to make this a mechanical or competitive practice is counteproductive and even dangerous. The practice is about deepening sensitivity and finding the release in previously unexplored areas and as well as deliberately and guiding the pressure of the breath in specific directions.

Thanks for your interesting input. What is your reading of the more "technical" parts of the HYP?

It seems that my reading of more technical commentaries has influenced my memory of HYP. But I am thinking of these:

7. Sitting in the Padmasana posture the Yogi should fill in the air through the left nostril (closing the right one); and, keeping it confined according to one's ability, it should be expelled slowly through the surya (right nostril).

8. Then, drawing in the air through the surya slowly, the belly should be filled, and after performing Kumbhaka as before, it should be expelled slowly through the chandra (left nostril).

9. Inhaling thus through the one, through which it was expelled, and having restrained it there, till possible, it should be exhaled through the other, slowly and not forcibly.

10. If the air be inhaled through the left nostril, it should be expelled again through the other, and filling it through the right nostril, confining it there, it should be expelled through the left nostril. By practicing in this way, through the right and the left nostrils alternately, the whole of the collection of the nadis of the yamis (practisers) becomes clean, i.e., free from impurities, after 3 months and over.

11. Kumbhakas should be performed gradually four times during day and night (i.e., morning, noon, evening and midnight), till the number of Kumbhakas for one time is 80 and for day and night together it is 320.

12. In the beginning there is perspiration, in the middle stage there is quivering, and in the last or third stage, one obtains steadiness; and then the breath should be made steady or motionless.

13. The perspiration exuding from exertion of practice should be rubbed into the body (and not wiped), as by so doing the body becomes strong.

14. During the first stage of practice the food consisting of milk and ghee is wholesome. When the practice becomes established, no such restriction is necessary.

15. Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise (i.e., by being hasty or using too much force) it kills the practitioner himself.

18. The air should be expelled with proper tact and should be filled in skillfully; and when it has been kept confined properly it brings success.

19. When the nadis become free from impurities, and there appear the outward signs of success, such as lean body and glowing color, then one should feel certain of success.

20. By removing the impurities, the air can be restrained, according to one's wish and the appetite is increased, the divine sound is awakened, and the body becomes healthy.

78. When the body becomes lean, the face glows with delight, Anahata-nada manifests, and eyes are clear, the body is healthy, bindu under control, and appetite increases, then one should know that the Nadis are purified and success in Hatha Yoga is approaching.