Hi everyone
Just wondering if anyone can explain the connection between full exhalations and its role in stimulating the metabolism, and burning the waste that’s accumulated in the apana region. I learned this in a pretty Indian way. ie - was told to just accept it. I’m thinking I might benefit from a bit more of a Western explanation. Does anyone know?
Thanks very much!
Y
Good teacher!
A Western explanation, no matter how eloquent, will be terribly inadequate, but that never stopped me from trying.
You’re teacher is right. There’s a lot of reasons why it increases metabolism, starting with the simple act of squeezing air out actively. Complete exhalation takes work: work increases metabolism. But then the apana part gets better. The action of squeezing that air out IS apana to which the natural response is PRANA! In fact, squeezing in general is apana. Squeezing any thing out is apana, penetration or being penetrated is apana, from which we get PRANA. It’s why it feels so good! HONEST! They go hand-in-hand.
I think there may be a bit of a mixed metaphor in the “burning waste” part of what he/she was saying, and “apana region?” I don’t know. There’s no specific “apana region” except for wherever it happens to be happening at the moment.
Getting a hug is apana, and prana is why they feel so good. Do they increase metabolism. Probably. Hug a dozen people eveyday and you’ll probably loose weight. They might too.
peace,
siva
Thanks Siva
I think we’re referring to two different things when talking about apana here.
My teacher is referring to apana in this context:
Prana is classified into five major types depending on its location and function.
prana: being located in the chest, responsible for respiration, cardiac function and emotional expression.
apana: being located in the lower abdominal region, responsible for elimination, sexual and reproductive functions.
samana: in the umbilical region, responsible for digestion, assimilation.
udana: in the throat, responsible for communication for eyes, nose, mouth etc.
My teacher says that when we get granthis, they usually reside in the apana region because that’s the region which is responsible for waste disposal, be it crudely, or less tangibly, ie in the case of emotional garbage.
My question is whether there’s a Western explanation for this concept. OK, I get that we need to go to the loo. But as for emotional ‘constipation’ so to speak residing there, I don’t get. Stress, for example can live on the shoulders, or in the back, or in the hips right? I recall asking this question, but the answer was a reiteration of the statement that led to my confusion in the first place. I’m wondering if any of you might be able to shed light on this.
For background, I’m studying in the Krishnamacharya tradition.
Thanks for your time!
Yonita,
Prana is undifferentiated: not “types,” but qualities. Your question is about the fluctuations of resonance between apana and prana, which is actually Spirit. Do we have a Western explanation for the Spirit being bound to the body? The best we can do is art, and meditation. Language can’t touch it, and it’s why your teacher told you to just accept it. It’s a conundrum: something to be experienced, observed, but without “understanding.” It’s like asking…“what’s the Western explanation for nature.”
siva
Siva - thanks for taking the time.
I’m in over my head and now feel as though I don’t even understand my own question anymore.
I’ll accept that more fermentation time is needed.
Thanks!
Yonita
Hi
In my humble opinion, I don’t think there is a “Western” (I guess you mean scientific) explanation for these concepts. If I were you I would continue practising yoga and let the wisdom unfold.
yonita,
That’s because your question is spiritual, which is exactly where you want to be.
Good sign. Be happy.
siva
The yogic sciences are based on confirmation of thousands of year?s human trial and error therefore, other than curiosity, exhaustive understanding of how/why skillful techniques and comprehensive methodologies work is sometimes neither here nor there.
Aurora,
Right on! Just practice and be happy. If you have doubt, dig deeper, practice harder and see for yourself.
Western or scientific explanation however, is not the problem, even for spiritual matters, which to me are completely scientific. The question is how can we share the experience, which is language?
The Spirit is an equilibrium between prana and apana that results in the resonance of The vibration, OM. Granthis are a dampening of that resonance due to tension and misalignment, weakness of the body, mental/emotional imbalance, etc. Like someone holding the bell and ringing the handle: the spirit does not ring. Why does a dampening in the heart region effect our emotions? This we cannot know, but only that it does.
See what i mean? I can explain it and yonita’s teacher probably can too, but how will you believe us? Language will not suffice. Ever. Until you experience it yourself, you have to rely on analogy, art, and of course observe it through the expression of love and compassion.
peace,
siva