Siva,
Thanks for the clarification & illumination. Very helpful.
I say that because i have been recently trying to get my head round the subtle differences and nuances between-
[ol]
[li]Swana Pranayama ( it would appear to awaken control of the abdominal muscles)[/li][li]Agni sara kriya- activating the digestive fire[/li][li]Agni prasana kriya - aka [I]Breath of Fire[/I][/li][li]Kapalabhati[/li][/ol]
The first two are the prepratory part of a chakra programme i have been following past few months from the Bihar school and a prep for awakening manipura chakra and proceeding with uddiyana and nauli practice.
I have ascertained, i am led to believe that most of my obstruction lie mainly principally in the chandra/ida nadi networks- for which i am using the iyengar method of pranayama which seems rather good for this as it starts you off with basics.
Further more my manipura and anahata chakras( iseemed to have a boulder of an obstruction here ever since i began asana 4 years ago) have blockages.
However these tantric techniques do actually seem to work and they take a systematic approach.My time using a another yoga system/school last year has proven well in terms of understanding the body/mind matrix and the potency of the more esoteric side of yoga practices- the stuff that just does’nt seem to be taught in the studios , or at least the ones i’ve been to…
To add to the confusion between these practices outlined above, is that various authors sometimes provide different instructions, some with kumbhaka for example, some without, also- they sometimes are using different names for the same practices.Start watching some of the U-tube videos where you suspect someof the folk may be more self-publicists than yogis and, like someoneelse pointed out, there can often be a lack of technical detail so the practices end up so sounding rather samey and you end up in this fuzzy realm where which version do you choose. But i agree some of the nuances invloved in learning pranayama are best learnt with a teacher. What i ahev discerned through practice is that one nurtures a rhthym in the breath and the physical actions and anatomical structures that control the breath such as the diaphragm and the lungs( understanding how for example how these two components relate as a dynamic is very useful-for example when the diaphragm muscle below contracts causing the lungs to expand ,the lower belly remains still as does the upper thoracic ribcage-only the lower ribs move forward and laterally out to the sides-expansion- only after looking at medical pictures of a cadaver opened up and photographed from a few differ angels coupled with an diagram of arrows explained by a swami did i gain a better understanding of true diaphragmatic breathing for example)
Also some say use the lower abdomen, others the diaphragm or phrasings like ‘the upper part of the respiration’ etc.
I could pick out various online sources with instructions for the above 4 practices that could still leave some doubt in the miind of the aspirant/student. .I can say that the words -‘rapid’ or ‘quick’ and ‘vigourous’ were used by pranayama.net and swamiji.com when describing kapalabhati. However gradual pacing for gaining a rhythm were suggested starting off gentle.
pranayama.net- kapalabhati
Use the diaphragm to create the force required for quick inhalation and exhalation.
swamiji.com -Kapalabhati
Kapalabhati (Shining skull):
Also called the “Shining Skull” this practice emphasizes the exhalation in a very quick, thrusting motion at the base of the abdomen. The inhalation is then allow to release naturally. Unless there are health problems, most people can do this practice. To do a few before meditation, such as 10-20 or so can have a centering effect.
I can interpret it this way -that the diapghragm is used (as with all breathing- how else can the lungs respire-? i.e take in air-expand,expel air) but that the abdomen if the abdomen moves like you say that any action is passive.
“Bhastrika also uses middle section breath from the diaphragm” like K. & agniprasan kriya(fire breath-) according to Swamiji.com
Bihar book ‘Kundalini Tantra’ says- with the first 2 practices listed above “contract & expand the abdominal muscles”.
Pranayama.net says regarding swana pranayama-Svana Pranayama - Dog Breathing
"The Fire breath open the top part of the inhalation when performed. It makes the inhalation easier and holding the breath easier. The Dog Breathing causes the exhalations to improve and also makes it easier to retain the breath after exhalation."
also-
“Begin to take fast rapid breaths trying to exhale all of the air each time and only breathing in slightly. Do this about 8 times before doing one last long one.
Then breathe normally or beging Ujjayi
After your lungs have recovered repeat the exercise increasing the durartion.
”
I think the last two suport each otheer and indeed perhaps they all do ,but sometimes i have been left feeling a little confused.BTW i have been learning the first two. Kapalabhati is not yet in my repertiore but i am keen on using it as a shatkarma as i feel it could be useful cleanser.
If you have the time( I know this is my usual long post )and can be arsed. Could you feel confident explain any or ,rather, the main differences between the 4 practices i have given here - i am aware it could be outside the scope of a potentially fruitful explanation given the limitations of the internet( and the lack of visual demonstration,monitoring & correction,nuances, feel for rhthym & pace etc) and the benefit, as you say , of a ‘flesh & blood’ teacher.
I feel i am making progress however.The Bihar school appraoch for awakening manipura chakra advises to keep observe a pure or clean diet- for me this means currently dietary restriction on amount as i probably eat too much …hehehe
I still have’nt figured out why these Swami’s often have paunches- fat bellies -have they forsaken their nauli practice every morning?.+laugh+
Cheers.
