Chapter 21 Pranic
Exercises
We
have told you in other chapters of this book, how
Prana may be obtained from the air, food and
water. We have given you detailed instruction in
breathing, in eating, in the use of fluids. There
remains but little more for us to say upon the
subject. But before leaving it, we have thought it
well to give you a bit of the higher theory and
practice of Hatha Yoga, touching upon the
acquirement and distribution of Prana. We allude
to what has been called "Rythmic Breathing," which
is the keynote to much of the Hatha Yoga
practices.
All
is
invibration. From the tiniest atom to the greatest
sun, everything is in a state of vibration. There
is nothing in absolute rest in nature. A single
atom deprived of vibration would wreck the
universe. In incessant vibration the universal
work is performed. Matter is being constantly
played upon by energy and countless forms and
numberless varieties result, and yet even the
forms and varieties are not permanent. They begin
to change the moment they are created, and from
them are born innumerable forms, which in turn
change and give rise to newer forms, and so on and
on, in infinite succession. Nothing is permanent
in the world of forms, and yet the great Reality
is unchangeable. Forms are but appearances—they
come, they go, but the Reality is eternal and
unchangeable.
The
atoms
of the human body are in constant vibration.
Unceasing changes are occurring. In a few months
there is almost a complete change in the matter
composing the body, and scarcely a single atom now
composing your body will be found in it a few
mouths hence. Vibration, constant vibration.
Change, constant change.
In
all
vibration is to be found a certain rhythm. Rhythm
pervades the universe. The swing of the planets
around the sun; the rise and fall of the sea; the
beating of the heart; the ebb and flow of the
tide; all follow rhythmic laws. The rays of the
sun reach us; the rain descends upon us, in
obedience to the same law. All growth is but an
exhibition of this law. All motion is a
manifestation of the law of rhythm.
Our
bodies
are as much subject to rhythmic laws as is the
planet in its revolution around the sun. Much of
the esoteric side of the Yogi Science of Breath is
based upon this known principle of nature. By
falling in with the rhythm of the body, the Yogi
manages to absorb a great amount of Prana, which
he disposes of to bring about results desired by
him. We will speak of this at greater length later
on.
The
body
which you occupy is like a small inlet running in
to the land from the sea. Although apparently
subject only to its own laws, it is really subject
to the ebb and flow of the tides of the ocean. The
great sea of life is swelling and receding, rising
and falling, and we are responding to its
vibrations and rhythm. In a normal condition we
receive the vibration and rhythm of the great
ocean of life, and respond to it, but at times the
mouth of the inlet seems choked up with debris,
and we fail to receive the impulse from Mother
Ocean, and inharmony manifests within us.
You
have
heard how a note on a violin, if sounded
repeatedly and in rhythm, will start into motion
vibrations which will in time destroy a bridge.
The same result is true when a regiment of
soldiers crosses a bridge, the order being always
given to "break step" on such an occasion, lest
the vibration bring down both bridge and regiment.
These manifestations of the effect of rhythmic
motion will give you an idea of the effect on the
body of rhythmic breathing. The whole system
catches the vibration and becomes in harmony with
the will, which causes the rhythmic motion of the
lungs, and while in such complete harmony will
respond readily to orders from the will. With the
body thus attuned, the Yogi finds no difficulty in
increasing the circulation in any part of the body
by an order from the will, and in the same way he
can direct an increased current of nerve force to
any part or organ, strengthening and stimulating
it.
In
the
same way the Yogi by rhythmic breathing “catches
the swing," as it were, and is able to absorb and
control a greatly increased amount of prana, which
is then at the disposal of his will. He can and
does use it as a vehicle for sending forth
thoughts to others and for attracting to him all
those whose thoughts are keyed in the same
vibration. The phenomena of telepathy, thought
transference, mental healing, mesmerism, etc.,
which subjects are creating such an interest in
the Western world at the present time, but which
have been known to the Yogis for centuries, can be
greatly increased and augmented if the person
sending forth the thoughts will do so after
rhythmic breathing. Rhythmic breathing will
increase the value of mental healing, magnetic
healing, etc., several hundred per cent.
In
rhythmic
breathing th emain thing to be acquired is the
mental idea of rhythm. To those who know anything
of music, the idea of measured counting is
familiar. To others the rhythmic step of the
soldier: "Left, right; left, right; left, right;
one, two, three, four; one, two, three, four,"
will convey the idea.
The
Yogi
bases his rhythmic time upon a unit corresponding
with the beat of his heart. The heart beat varies
in different persons, but the heart beat unit of
each person is the proper rhythmic standard for
that particular individual in his rhythmic
breathing. Ascertain your normal heart beat by
placing your fingers over your pulse, and then
count "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6," etc.,
until the rhythm becomes firmly fixed in your
mind. A little practice will fix the rhythm, so
that you will be able to easily reproduce it. The
beginner usually inhales in about six pulse units,
but he will be able to greatly increase this by
practice.
The
Yogi
rule for rhythmic breathing is that the units of
inhalation and exhalation should be the same,
while the units for retention and between breaths
should be one-half the number of those of
inhalation and exhalation.
The
following
exercise in Rhythmic Breathing should be
thoroughly mastered, as it forms the basis of
numerous other exercises, to which reference will
be made later.
(1)
Sit
erect, in an easy posture, being sure to hold the
chest—neck and head as nearly in a straight line
as possible, with shoulders slightly thrown back
and hands resting easily on the lap. In this
position the weight of the body is largely
supported by the ribs and the position may be
easily maintained. The Yogi has found that one
cannot get the best effect of rhythmic breathing
with the chest drawn in and the abdomen
protruding.
(2)
Inhale
slowly a Complete Breath, counting six pulse
units.
(3)
Retain,
counting three pulse units.
(4)
Exhale
slowly through the nostrils, counting six pulse
units.
(5)
Count
three pulse beatsbetween breaths.
(6)
Repeat
a number of times, but avoid fatiguing yourself at
the start.
(7)
When
you are ready to close the exercise, practice the
cleansing breath, which will rest you and cleanse
the lungs.
After
a
little practice you will be able to increase the
duration of the inhalations and exhalations, until
about fifteen pulse units are consumed. In this
increase, remember that the units for retention
and between breaths is one-half the units for
inhalation and exhalation.
Do
not
overdo yourself in your effort to increase the
duration of the breath, but pay as much attention
as possible to acquiring the "rhythm," as that is
more important than the length of the breath.
Practice and try until you get the measured
"swing" of the movement, and until you can almost
"feel" the rhythm of the vibratory motion
throughout your whole body. It will require a
little practice and perseverance, but your
pleasure at your improvement will make the task an
easy one. The Yogi is a most patient and
perseverant man, and his great attainments are due
largely to the possession of these qualities.
Prana Generating.
Lying
flat
on the floor or bed, completely relaxed, with
hands resting lightly over the Solar Plexus (over
the pit of the stomach, where the ribs begin to
separate), breathe rhythmically. After the rhythm
is fully established will that each inhalation
shall draw in an increased supply of prana or
vital energy from the Universal supply, which will
be taken up by the nervous system and stored in
the Solar Plexus. At each exhalation will that the
prana or vital energy shall be distributed all
over the body, to every organ and part; to every
muscle, cell and atom; to nerve, artery and vein;
from the top of your head to the soles of your
feet; invigorating, strengthening and stimulating
every nerve; recharging every nerve center;
sending energy, force and strength all over the
system. While exercising the will, try to form a
mental picture of the inrushing prana, coming in
through the lungs and being taken up at once by
the Solar Plexus, then with the exhaling effort,
being sent to all parts of the system, down to the
finger tips and down to the toes. It is not
necessary to use the Will with an effort. Simply
commanding that which you wish to produce and then
making the mental picture of it is all that is
necessary. Calm command with the mental picture is
far better than forcible willing, which only
dissipates force needlessly. The above exercise is
most helpful and greatly refreshes and strengthens
the nervous system and produces a restful feeling
all over the body. It is especially beneficial in
cases where one is tired or feels a lack of
energy.
Changing The Circulation.
Lying
down
or sitting erect, breathe rhythmically, and with
the exhalations direct the circulation to any part
you wish, which may be suffering from imperfect
circulation. This is effective in cases of cold
feet or in cases of headache, the blood being sent
downward in both cases, in the first case warming
the feet, and in the latter, relieving the brain
from too great pressure. You will often feel a
warm feeling in the legs as the circulation moves
downward. The circulation is largely under the
control of the will and rhythmic breathing renders
the task easier.
Recharging.
If
you
feel that your vital energy is at a low ebb, and
that you need to store up a new supply quickly,
the best plan is to place the feet close together
(side by side, of course) and to lock the fingers
of both hands in any way that seems the most
comfortable. This closes the circuit, as it were,
and prevents any escape of prana through the
extremities. Then breathe rhythmically a few
times, and you will feel the effect of the
recharging.Â
Brain Stimulation.
The
Yogis
have found the following exercise most useful in
stimulating the action of the brain for the
purpose of producing clear thinking and reasoning.
It has a wonderful effect in clearing the brain
and nervous system, and those engaged in mental
work will find it most useful to them, both in the
direction of enabling them to do better work and
also as a means of refreshing the mind and
clearing it after arduous mental labor.
Sit
in
an erect posture, keeping the spinal column
straight, and the eyes well to the front, letting
the hands rest on the upper part of the legs.
Breathe rhythmically, but instead of breathing
through both nostrils, as in the ordinary
exercises, press the left nostril close with the
thumb, and inhale through the right nostril. Then
remove the thumb, and close the right nostril with
the finger, and then exhale through the left
nostril. Then, without changing the fingers,
inhale through the left nostril, and changing
fingers, exhale through the right. Then inhale
through right and exhale through left, and so on,
alternating nostrils as above mentioned, closing
the unused nostril with the thumb or forefinger.
This is one of the oldest forms of Yogi breathing,
and is quite important and valuable, and is well
worthy of acquirement. But it is quite amusing to
the Yogis to know that to the Western world this
method is often held out as being the "whole
secret" of Yogi Breathing. To the minds of many
Western readers, "Yogi Breathing" suggests nothing
more than a picture of a Hindu, sitting erect, and
alternating nostrils in the act of breathing.
"Only this and nothing more." We trust that this
little work will open the eyes of the Western
world to the great possibilities of Yogi
Breathing, and the numerous methods whereby it may
be employed.
Yogi Grand Psychic Breath.
The
Yogis
have a favorite form of psychic breathing which
they practice occasionally, to which has beee
given a Sanscrit term of which the above is a
general equivalent. We have given it last, as it
requires practice on the part of the student in
the line of rhythmic breathing and mental imagery,
which he has now acquired by means of the
preceding exercises. The general principles of the
Grand Breath may be summed up in the old Hindu
saying: "Blessed is the Yogi who can breathe
through his bones." This exercise will fill the
entire system with prana, and the student will
emerge from it with every bone, muscle, nerve,
cell, tissue, organ and part energized and attuned
by the prana and the rhythm of the breath. It is a
general housecleaning of the system, and he who
practices it carefully will feel as if he had been
given a new body, freshly created, from the crown
of his head to the tips of his toes. We will let
the exercise speak for itself.
(1)
Lie
in a relaxed position, at perfect ease.
(2)
Breathe
rhythmically until the rhythm is perfectly
established.
(3)
Then,
inhaling and exhaling, from the mental image of
the breath being drawn up through—the bones of the
legs, and then forced out through them; then
through the bones of the arms; then through the
top of the skull; then through the stomach; then
through the reproductive region; then as if it
were traveling upward and downward along the
spinal column; and then as if the breath were
being inhaled and exhaled through every pore of
the skin, the whole body being filled with prana
and life.
(4)
Then
(breathing rhythmically) send the current of prana
to the Seven Vital Centers, in turn, as follows,
using the mental picture as in previous exercises:
(a)
To the forehead.
(b) To the back of the head.
(c) To the base of the brain.
(d) To the Solar Plexus.
(e) To the Sacral Region (lower part of the
spine).
(f) To the region of the navel.
(g) To the reproductive region.
Finish
by
sweeping the current of prana, to and fro, from
head to feet, several times.
(5)
Finish with Cleansing Breath.
