Prana, Kundalini & Yoga

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Prana, Kundalini Yoga
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Pranas
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Prâna in Indian Philosophy

• The Vedas in India are the oldest recorded major
  scriptures known to exist. Following them, came
  the Upanishads, Vedanta, Shaiva, Vaishnava,
  Buddhist and Tantric philosophies, to name a few
  of the primary ones. Thus, there was a continuous
  development of the science of Yoga for millennia
  during which time disciplines which led to the
  awakening of Kundalini were developed and refined
  to an extent that has been unmatched in any other
  known culture in the world.
• The ultimate reality behind the phenomenal
  universe, according to the Upanishads, is
  referred to as Brahman. Brahman is said to be
  attributeless. It has no size, no shape, no
  color, no taste, no smell nor form. Brahman is
  held to be infinite, unbounded by time or space,
  the source of all. It is a unity, with no degrees
  or differences or sub-divisions. Being infinite
  and formless, it is unknowable by the intellect.
  Perhaps the only characteristic by which we can
  comprehend Brahman is that it is an infinite
  unbounded super-conscious Intelligence.
• The Indian philosophies have subdivided Brahman
  into two complementary aspects. This consists of
  an unchanging Conscious Principle, that is in
  turn, completed by an infinite Creative Energy.
  The conscious principle has been designated as
  Atman or Shiva and the creative energy as Shakti.
  These may be thought of as the static and kinetic
  aspects of creation.
• Shakti, or Para-Shakti as it is known in its
  cosmic form, the super-intelligent creative
  energy, is said to be the power which creates,
  maintains and destroys the entire phenomenal
  universe. This Cosmic Shakti operates in the
  phenomenal world in two primary ways. It
  functions in inanimate matter by manifesting the
  elements, atoms and molecules of the physical
  world and the four (at this time) known forces
  which bind them together. It also functions in
  the animate or living world as a subtle
  immaterial essence pervading all life forms,
  governing all biological processes within them.
  This form of Shakti is termed Prâna-Shakti or
  just Prâna.

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Prâna- What It Is

• The Subtle body is a minute germ of a living
  substance. It contains the invisible particles of
  matter which are held together by vital force. It
  also possesses mind or thought-force in a
  potential state, just as the seed of a plant
  contains the life force and the power of growth.
  It consists of Antah-karana the internal organ
  or the mind substance with its various
  modifications mind, intellect, egoism, memory,
  and Bahya-karana the 5 instruments of
  perception the powers of seeing, hearing,
  smelling, tasting and touching the 5 instruments
  of action the powers of seizing, moving,
  speaking, evacuating and generating, and the 5
  Prânas.
• Prâna is the medium for the activity of thought
  and transference of sensations and impulses in
  living organisms, which controls the vital
  functions of all sentient life. This energy is
  said to become directly perceptible to the mind
  when some degree of true success is achieved in
  Yoga.
• In its cosmic form, Prâna is a highly diffused
  intelligent energy spread everywhere. But in the
  individual it takes a specific form as the
  bio-plasma or individual Prâna composed of an
  extremely subtle organic essence drawn from the
  elements and compounds forming the body. It is
  this essence which, transformed into psychic
  energy, becomes the fuel for thought. The
  bio-plasma, sustained by the cosmic ocean of
  Pâana, permeates each and every cell of an
  organism.
• Prâna is considered to be the basic vital life
  force which, disappearing at death, leads to the
  separation of the physical body from the Infinite
  Conscious Principle that had been linked to it.
  Prâna has a range or spectrum which varies from
  individual to individual and from species to
  species. It is this spectrum which is the source
  of the human aura that is described by psychics
  and clairvoyants and detected by Kirlian
  photography.

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Prâna- as a Yoga

• The term Hatha Yoga is a compound of the two
  Sanskrit words Ha and Tha, which mean the
  Sun and the Moon. They represent the two
  basic polarities of Prâna-Shakti, termed Prâna
  and Apâna, which are said to function in the
  nervous system producing a heating or cooling
  effect respectively. They correspond to the two
  channels or nâdis named Pingla and Ida on the
  right and left sides of the spinal cord.
• Hatha Yoga has as one of its primary objectives
  the ability to enhance the production,
  purification and control of Prâna in the
  practitioner and thereby to stimulate into
  heightened activity the mechanism of Kundalini.
  The term Prânayama, which is sometimes mistaken
  to mean simply the control of the breath, in
  actual fact denotes the control of this vital
  energy.
• While air is the gross/physical attribute, it
  contains within it the subtle energy of Prâna
  (life-force). Simply by breathing air, we receive
  the benefits of Prâna in an unconcentrated form.
  But the yogic practice of Prânayama is not simply
  to breathe air, rather it is to stoke the
  internal fires to distill the Prâna from the air
  and to concentrate its effects to expand ones
  consciousness.
• It is primarily through the medium of the
  respiratory system that Prâna is absorbed into
  the body from the surrounding air to replenish
  the store of vital energy which circulates in all
  parts of the body. Prâna appears to use Oxygen as
  the major vehicle for its activity in the body.
  The nervous system is thus the channel by which
  the Prânic energy stored in the cells of the body
  is collected and transmitted to the brain.
• Since the nervous system in the human body is
  the basis for all feeling, movement, muscle
  control, information transmission and
  coordination, it is almost certain that Prânas
  activity in the body is intimately connected with
  this system. This aspect of the energy is of
  great concern in Yoga theory.

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Prâna- a Super-Intelligence

• Within the slowly evolving human being, the
  immune system is undergoing a rapid internal
  evolution of its own. How can such an amazing
  system possibly exist without the control and
  guidance of some remarkable agency such as Prâna?
  When we physically damage our bodies, the healing
  process takes over, completely beyond our control
  or understanding, repairing bones, organs and
  tissues. The fact that these processes work much
  more quickly when we are asleepin a totally
  unconscious stateagain indicates the operation
  of an intelligent agency present in our bodies,
  but separate from and undetected by our normal
  consciousness.
• One of the most amazing aspects of Prâna is that
  it carries on all its intricate, complex and
  far-reaching activities in the human body without
  being in any way directly perceptible to us in
  our normal state of consciousness. Day after day
  we behold the miracles of conception and birth,
  healing, recovery from disease, regeneration
  during sleep, and for the most part do not even
  begin to suspect the possibility of a stupendous
  intelligence behind it all.
• Not only must this super-intelligence know
  intimately every aspect of our physical being,
  but almost certainly our mental and emotional
  natures too. It is for this reason that those who
  awakened the Serpent Power in the past referred
  to it as a goddessan all-knowing Intelligence
  which knew every aspect of their being.
• In the perspective of Sant-Mat, Prâna is
  considered merely the power behind the
  functioning of the Koshas or coverings that
  envelope the Soul, while the power behind the
  soul itself is Naam, Shabd or Holy Word,
  comprising the inner Sound and Light. It is Naam
  that creates Prâna. Hence, while Naam is
  considered to be a Chetan or conscious entity,
  Prâna is merely its Jada or inert covering that
  is concerned with duality of Mind and Matter. It
  is Prâna that creates the manifest world with the
  assistance of Naam, but cannot lead to the true
  Spiritual Goal.

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Prânas- their Function

• The Subtle body is a minute germ of a living
  substance. It contains the invisible particles of
  matter which are held together by vital force. It
  also possesses mind or thought-force in a
  potential state, just as the seed of a plant
  contains the life force and the power of growth.
  It consists of Antah-karana the internal organ
  or the mind substance with its various
  modifications mind, intellect, egoism, memory,
  and Bahya-karana the 5 instruments of
  perception the powers of seeing, hearing,
  smelling, tasting and touching the 5 instruments
  of action the powers of seizing, moving,
  speaking, evacuating and generating, and the 5
  Prânas.
• Prâna means vital energy or the life-sustaining
  power in us. Although Prâna is one, it takes 5
  different names on account of the 5 different
  functions it performs. This word Prâna includes
  the five manifestations of the vital force.
• The first power of Vyâna is that which works in
  every part of the nervous system from head to
  foot, through every canal, which keeps the shape
  of the body, preserves it from putrefaction, and
  gives health and life to every cell and organ.
  Second, that power which moves the lungs and
  draws the atmospheric air from outside into the
  system. This is also called Prâna. Second, that
  power which throws out of the system such things
  as are not wanted. It is called in Sanskrit
  Apâna. Third, it is called Udâna when it is the
  cause of bringing down food from the mouth
  through the alimentary canal to the stomach, and
  also when it is the cause of the power of speech.
  Fourth, it takes the name of Samâna, as
  performing digestive functions and carrying the
  extract of food to every part of the body.
• These 5 Prânas stay in the grosser body. They
  are also in the finer or subtle body as the 5
  finer breaths corresponding to the 5 grosser
  Prânas.

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Prana
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Aura
Halo
Chakra centres of the bodies above the Physical
are all situated in the Brain
Chakras of the Etheric Double Egg
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Kundalini
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The Kundalini

• The knowledge of Kundalini is very ancient. It
  dates back at least to the time of the Indus
  Valley civilization which flourished from about
  3,000 B.C. onwards. Ancient seals from this time
  depicting a three-faced God, sitting on a throne
  in a crossed-legged Yoga posture on a deerskin,
  surrounded by a tiger, buffalo and rhinoceros are
  almost without doubt representations of the God
  Shiva of later Indian philosophies. The fact that
  the male God depicted on the seals is shown in
  Yoga posture with erect phallus demonstrates a
  definite knowledge of the intimate connection
  that Kundalini has with the reproductive system.
• Yoga traditions aim to awaken the Kundalini,
  because these traditions believe that the
  Kundalini is the power that is required to attain
  the ultimate goal of spiritual perfection.
  Kundalini is described as a sleeping, dormant
  potential force in the human organism. It is one
  of the components of the supra-physical body,
  which consists of Nâdis (energy channels),
  Chakras (psychic centres), Prâna (subtle energy),
  and Bindu (drops of essence).
• It is depicted a phenomenal energy in the body,
  which can be aroused and manipulated through
  meditation and breathing exercises to rise up the
  spine into the brain. It is often pictured as
  being a form of subtle electricity powering the
  chakras, leading to states of cosmic
  consciousness. It is also a believed that
  meditation, practiced for a period of time,
  results in the awakening of Kundalini and the
  experience of higher consciousness.
• Kundalini is the Goddess of speech. She is also
  called Saraswati, as she is the form of Shabda
  Brahman. She is the source of all Knowledge and
  Bliss. She is pure consciousness itself. She is
  Prâna Shakti, the Supreme Force, the Mother of
  Prâna, Agni, Bindu, and Nâda. It is by this
  Shakti that the world exists. Creation,
  preservation and dissolution are in her. It is
  through her Shakti on subtle Prâna, Nâda is
  produced. She maintains the individual soul
  through the subtle Prâna.

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Kundalini is Fire

• There are innumerable fires in the human
  body. The fire of stomach (Jatharagni) digests
  food and results in semen formation. Persons
  agitated by the fire of sexual passion (Kaamagni)
  burn themselves like a moth in a flame.  The fire
  of speech (Vaani Agni) makes friends or foes with
  good/bad speech.  The radiance of Ojas, Tejas and
  Varchas includes brilliance in all humans.  Fire
  of Brahman (Brahmagni) dwells in the Sahasrara
  Kanwal (1000-petalled lotus) and gives the
  individual soul a divine vision. The fire of
  sentiments (Bhavagni) in the heart manifests as
  compassion, friendship, sense of service etc. The
  fire of time (Kaalagni) induces death.  The fire
  of lethargy (Mandaagni) induces lethargy and
  diseases in man. The vital force fire is
  Kundalini which abounds in life force, daring and
  vigour in mankind.
• Kundalini is also called Kaamabeeja (seed of all
  desires and sexual passion). When the Shivalinga
  is bathed, symbolizing Kundalini awakening, then
  the water vessel is placed on the tripod stand
  and one by one drops of water bathe the
  Shivalinga. In order that Sexual passion does not
  manifest nectar needs to be dripped in these
  regions from the head area.  This nectar is
  called Soma Rasa.  In the Soham spiritual
  practice of Khechri Mudra, one gets to sip this
  Soma Rasa. The 3 legs of the tripod stand
  represent the Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Nadis.
• Kundalini is like a forest fire. If Kundalini
  enters the arena of desires, it can shatter a
  human being.  But when it is used for spiritual
  endeavours, then not only is itself happy, but
  that it gives joy. Mans basic power principle is
  Kundalini, which is joined to cosmic
  consciousness, and based on desires and needs, it
  imbibes energy from the cosmic storehouse. The
  latent serpent fire present in the Mooladhara
  Chakra keeps spitting venom while lying in the
  Kunda.  But this venom can be converted to
  nectar.  Kundalini awakening involves raising it
  to higher Chakras for drinking nectar and Soma
  Rasa (juice). It has also been called cosmic
  electricity.

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Kundalini
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Kundalini- Its Location

• Kundalini is the dormant cosmic power in
  individual bodies. It has been described as a
  residual power of pure desire. It is not a
  material force like electricity or magnetism. It
  is an electric fiery occult power, the great
  pristine force which underlies all organic and
  inorganic matter. It is a spiritual potential
  Shakti or cosmic power. In reality it has no
  form. Prâna, Ahamkara, Buddhi, Indriyas, mind,
  five gross elements, nerves are all the products
  of Kundalini.
• Kundalini resides in the Kanda, the triangular
  shaped sacrum bone in 3.1/2 coils, coiled up
  around a smokey grey lingam at the base of the
  spine. The location of the Kanda is 12 angulis
  (or about 9 inches) above the anus and 3 inches
  long and 3 inches in breadth. It is the shape of
  a bird's egg and covered with a soft white piece
  of cloth. There sleeps the Kundalini.
• Kundalini, the Serpent Power or mystic fire,
  is the primordial energy or Shakti that lies
  dormant or sleeping in the Mooladhara Chakra. It
  is called the serpentine or annular power on
  account of serpentine form. Hence Kundalini is
  also called Bhujangini, serpent power. The 3
  coils represent the 3 Gunas of Prakriti Sattva,
  Rajas and Tamas, and the ½ coil represents the
  Vikritis, the modification of Prakriti.
• In the Mooladhara chakra, there is Swayambhu
  Linga. The head of the Linga is the space where
  Sushumna Nâdi is attached to the Kânda. The
  Kundalini lies face downwards at the mouth of
  Sushumna Nâdi upon the head of Swayambhu Linga.
  When it is awakened, it makes a hissing sound
  like that of a serpent beaten with a stick, and
  proceeds to the other chakras through the Brahma
  Nâdi, which is also called Chitra Nâdi within
  Sushumna.
• Kundalini is awakened by the Yogi being seated
  on the Vajrasana and taking hold of the ankles,
  slowly beating the Kanda.

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Kundalini is located In the Kanda
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Kundalini- Its Location

• Mooladhara is the source of Prâna (vital force)
  but its widespread nature, behaviour and
  distribution function is possible only through
  the medium of Merudanda. Just above the
  Mooladhara and slightly below the Swadhishthana
  chakra is the prostrate gland.  Here lies the
  semen center.  The waves emanating from this
  induces area sexual passion.  The hormones
  emitted by it are responsible for sperm
  production.  The womb of women too lies in this
  region.  In the lower area of the Sushumna lies
  the lumbar and sacral plexus.  These 2 plexuses
  control urine emission and sexual passion of the
  genitals. This is the area of all useful
  inspirations of life and is also called Kanda,
  Kurd or Kaam Beej (seed of sexual passion). 
• Kanda also has another name called Koorma
  (tortoise).  It is the representative of Koorma
  Avatar i.e. tortoise incarnation of God.  Because
  of its activity of withdrawing and stretching its
  legs it is said to be the symbol of divine
  powers.  The shape of Kanda region is like that
  of an egg.  It is compared to the withdrawn state
  of the hands and legs of an tortoise.  In the
  legend of ocean churning the churning rod was the
  Mandarachala mountain.  Lord Koorma as the
  tortoise sat under this mountain and took its
  weight on his shoulders.  This is a symbolic
  description for the churning and power of the
  inner world of the Kanda region or tortoise.
• The sleeping Kundalini Shakti wound around the
  Shivalinga dwells there like a sleeping female
  snake.  But when it evolves and rises up towards
  the head region she dwells in the grey matter of
  the brain i.e. in the subtle nerve network of
  Sahasrara Kamal.  After a rise the small
  Shivalinga takes the form of a gigantic mount
  Kailash. It evolves further in the blooming
  1000petalled lotus called the Sahasradal
  Kamal. Mooladhara chakra is also called the seed
  of sexual passion and Sahasrara Kamal is the seed
  of divine wisdom. The purification-coordination
  of both results in discriminative activities. 

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Kundalini Awakening

• Kundalini has connection with subtle Prâna.
  Subtle Prâna has connection with the subtle nadis
  and chakras. Subtle nâdis have connection with
  the mind. Mind has connection all through the
  body. Prâna is the dynamic working force of the
  body. This static Shakti is affected by Prânayama
  and other Yogic practices and becomes dynamic.
  These two functions, static and dynamic, are
  termed sleeping and awakening of the
  Kundalini.
• After being awakened, Kundalini is said to be
  able to remove the knots of the major chakras,
  cleanse, open and develop them until they are
  fully developed into full-blooming lotus forms.
  In the Mooladhara chakra the soul light appears
  as fire.  In the Swadhishthâna chakra it appears
  as a shoot of coral.  In the Manipura  chakra it
  shines like electricity.  In the Nâbhi chakra it
  is like the light of lightning.  In the Anahata
  Chakra it is like the shape of a phallus, in the
  Vishuddhi Chakra as white in colour and in the
  Taalu chakra there is an experience of oneness
  and formlessness.  In the Bhroo chakra it is like
  the flame of the shape of our thumb.  In the Ajna
  Chakra it is like a flame of smoke and in the
  Sahasrar like a shining axe.
• However, only a few are said to really able to
  awaken their Kundalini. For those who are lucky
  enough to have their Kundalini awakened, the
  cleansing process of the Kundalini would still
  take decades. Kundalini requires years to
  cleanse, open and develop a chakra completely,
  and the process is done from the base chakra
  upwards in sequential order.
• As the Kundalini starts at the lowest chakra and
  spends a few years at this base chakra, it takes
  decades before the Kundalini can start working on
  the crown, the 7th chakra. In most cases, one
  will die before achieving the final goal since
  the time required is too long. Even if the
  Kundalini reaches the crown chakra, it is just
  the beginning of the real journey of the
  Kundalini.

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Kundalini Awakening

• There are 4 different stages in the Kundalini
  awakening process 1. Awakening stage
  (Arambha) Technically speaking, the Kundalini is
  considered awakened when the shell of the
  Kundalini is broken and so is the knot of the
  base chakra, the Brahma Granthi as this is very
  close to the Kundalini center. 2. Cleansing stage
  (Ghata) After the Kundalini energy opens the
  second knot at the heart chakra, the Vishnu
  Granthi, Kundalini energy can flow easier toward
  different parts of the body to do more thorough
  cleansing. 3. Absorption stage (Parichaya) At
  this stage, the cleansing is done in different
  body layers. 4. Final stage (Nishpatti) When the
  Kundalini opens the third knot at the Ajna (Third
  eye) chakra, called the Rudra Granthi, the
  person is only one step away from getting the
  crown chakra opened. As the crown chakra opens,
  one is able to achieve self realization, cosmic
  realization, and then achieve Yoga.
• Kundalini can be classified into three parts
  the core, the fire, and the energy. The Core of
  the Kundalini itself is the Kundalini proper. It
  is the last part that moves. It can only move
  after the Sushumna is open quite wide and is
  clean. The cleansing is actually done by the fire
  of the Kundalini. The fire is released/uncoiled
  energy from the Kundalini. Released energy from
  the Kundalini looks like fire and it cleanses by
  burning. The fire burns all negativities and
  blockages in the energy body to cleanse the
  energy body. Burnt negativities and blockages are
  brought up and out from the body. If the crown
  chakra is already open, the energy flows out
  through the crown chakra.
• Kundalini is a magnificent power and requires
  one to be cleansed and pure enough before one is
  ready for its awakening. Otherwise, one could
  have serious problems and sickness after the
  Kundalini is awakened. After preparing themselves
  for years, people normally do special exercises
  to awaken their Kundalini.

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Kundalini Awakening Practices

• ParâShakti united with Shiva, whose substance is
  the pure nectar or bliss, red-like unto
  vermillion, the sunset sky, who having crept her
  way through the mass of sound issuing from the
  clashing and dashing of the two winds in the
  midst of the Sushumna, rises to the brilliant
  energy which glitters with the lustre of ten
  million lightnings. She, the Kundalini, who
  quickly goes to and returns from Shiva, grants us
  the fruit of Yoga! Being awakened, she is the
  Cow of Plenty to Kaulas, and the Kalpa Creeper
  of all things desired for those who worship her.
• There are two common techniques of Kundalini
  awakening. The first one is called Kumbhaka (vase
  breath technique). The other is called Bandha
  Traya (three locks). Kundalini can also be
  awakened instantly with the help of someone else.
  This method is called Shaktipat  (energy
  transfer). In this method someone uses his energy
  to help another awaken his Kundalini.
• The gist of Kundalini awakening involves
  attracting vital consciousness from the cosmos so
  as to unite this great consciousness with ones
  own vital force and thus attain higher divine
  powers.  Hence Yogic practices are encouraged so
  as to utilize these divine powers for higher
  sacred goals.  This capacity increases in
  proportion to ones mental control and with
  wastage of this force this capacity decreases and
  ultimately gets destroyed.
• Yogic exercises like Bandhas, Mudras such as
  Shaktichalini, Prânayama, Asanas such as
  Siddhasana, Vajrasana, etc.  are carried out for
  this very purpose.  The energy of Mooladhara is
  activated /awakened and raised upwards so as to
  unite it with self fulfilled centers.  But all
  these Hatha Yoga and Kriya Yoga practices are but
  the first step in Kundalini activation. 
• Kundalini is sleeping, closing the door of
  Sushumna. She sleeps above the Kanda or where
  nâdis unite. She gives liberation to Yogi and
  bondage to fools. He who knows her knows Yoga."

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The Kundalini Awakening Practices

• During meditation, the individual is confronted
  with his subconscious or unconscious mind. This
  is associated with a lowering of EEG frequency
  and an increase of amplitudes (more alpha and
  theta waves). In deep meditation, more and more
  neurons of the brain work in synchrony at a
  slower and slower pace directed by bodily and
  sub-cortical mechanisms. This is an attempt by
  the brain to confront, contain, and eventually
  integrate blocked feelings and old repressed
  traumas at deeper levels of consciousness.
• Meditation may increase attention, sensitivity
  and access, while the expression of feelings
  during psychotherapy can promote the actual
  release of physical and mental blocks in the body
  and nervous system making the person more whole.
• Special physical postures, controlled breathing
  exercises, meditation, chanting, etc are done to
  prepare themselves for the Kundalini awakening.
  However, as the energy released from the
  Kundalini that has been awakened is so huge and
  unlimited, they may still experience different
  problems even though they may have done special
  preparations for years. So, the Kundalini
  awakening may not always be a pleasant
  experience. When the energy is aroused, it
  ascends thru the spinal column in Sushumna,
  passing thru each of the chakras on its way to
  the brain. If the energy rises thru Ida or
  Pingala instead, it may cause severe mental
  disturbance.
• Many people become interested in Kundalini
  energy mainly due to its powerful energy that can
  give Riddhi-Siddhis, the psychic powers. The
  psychic powers are a by-product of the Kundalini
  awakening process. Practicing psychic powers is
  not recommended at all, because it boosts ego and
  creates arrogance, thereby distracting one away
  from the attainment of yoga.

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Yoga
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Yoga

• Yoga is derived from the root Yuj, to join or
  weld together. Yoga then signifies a spiritual
  condition of universal equality and God Union. In
  all Yogas, union with the Universal is the one
  dominant and recurrent note, however different
  may be the process.
• Yoga has five principal meanings z as a
  disciplined method for attaining a goal, z as
  techniques of controlling the body and the mind,
  z as a name of one of the schools or systems of
  philosophy (darshana), z in connection with other
  words, such as "hatha-, mantra- and laya-, z
  referring to traditions specializing in
  particular techniques of yoga, as the goal of
  Yoga practice.
• Founded by sage Yajnavalkya, Yoga school of
  Hindu philosophy incorporates ethical precepts
  (Yamas and Niyamas) and an introspective way of
  life focused on perfecting one's self physically,
  mentally and spiritually, with the ultimate goal
  being Kaivalya (liberated, unified, content state
  of existence). Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Yoga
  Vashistha and Bhagavad Geeta are its main texts.
  Patanjali's Yoga Sutras is also referred to as
  the Raja Yoga text, which defines Yoga Yoga?
  chitta-v?tti-nirodha? i.e. Yoga is restraining
  the mind-stuff (Chitta) from taking various forms
  (Vrittis).
• Yoga is used for treatment of cancer patients to
  decrease depression, insomnia, pain and fatigue
  and to increase anxiety control. Yoga as a
  complementary treatment may help alleviate
  symptoms of schizophrenia, asthma and heart
  disease.
• Yoga is undoubtedly a Hindu movement for
  spiritual meditation, yet is now being marketed
  as a supplement to a cardio routine. Historical
  origins of Yoga are the Indus Valley Civilization
  (3300-1900 BCE) and pre-Vedic north-eastern India
  (Bihar region), the Vedic civilization (1500-500
  BCE), and the Sramana movement (starting ca. 500
  BCE). Yoga philosophy is reckoned to be part of
  the non-Vedic system, which also includes
  Hindu Samkhya school, Jainism and Buddhism.

30
History of Yoga

• Origins of Yoga have been speculated to date
  back to pre-Vedic traditions, but most likely
  developed around the 6th and 5th cent. BCE in
  ancient India's ascetic circles, which are also
  credited with early Sramana movements. Chronology
  of earliest Yoga texts is unclear, varyingly
  credited to Upanishads and Buddhist Pali Canon
  probably of 3rd cent. BCE or later. Yoga Sutras
  of Patanjali date from the first half of the 1st
  mill. CE, but only gained prominence in the 20th
  cent. Hatha Yoga texts emerged around 11th cent.
  CE, and in its origins was related to Tantrism.
• Although Rig Veda mentions the word Yoga,
  references to it are to be found in the early
  Upanishads such as Brihadaranyaka and Chhandogya,
  as well as in Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. Katha
  Upanishad (3rd cent. BCE) integrates the monism
  of early Upanishads with concepts of Samkhya and
  Yoga in the modern sense. Shvetashvatara
  Upanishad, Maitrayaniya Upanishad developed the
  Yoga theme before Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.
• Swami Vivekananda, the first Hindu teacher to
  actively advocate and disseminate aspects of Yoga
  in the west, toured Europe and the US in the
  1890s. Modern scientific study of Yoga began with
  the works of N.C. Paul and Major D. Basu in the
  late 19th cent.-early 20th cent. with Shri
  Yogendra and Swami Kuvalayananda to study Yoga as
  a science. During 1960s, most influential Indian
  teachers of Yoga came from lineages of Sivananda
  Saraswati (18871963) and Tirumalai
  Krishnamacharya (18881989). Teachers of Hatha
  yoga who were active in the west included B.K.S.
  Iyengar (1918-2014), K. Pattabhi Jois
  (1915-2009), Swami Vishnudevananda (1927-1993)
  and Swami Satchidananda (1914-2002). Yogi Bhajan
  brought Kundalini Yoga to the US in 1969.
  Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (19182008) popularized
  Yoga by the name Transcendental Meditation and
  achieved fame as the guru of the Beatles and
  other celebrities in the west. Popularity of Yoga
  worldwide has led to the establishment of
  International Day of Yoga on 21st June.

31
(No Transcript)
32
Types of Yogas

• There are the three main types of yoga designed
  and fashioned according to human nature. Each one
  receives the mystic call, as one may be inclined
  temperamentally. The spiritual aspirant endowed
  with an emotional mind gets it asLeave all else
  and lose thyself in my love To the reflective
  philosopher gifted with a logical mind, it comes
  as Leave all else and know me while a highly
  practical and active mind gets the call asLeave
  all else and serve me. The spiritual yoga
  (Surat-Shabd yogaa special yoga of devotion)
  begins directly at the Brow chakra, while the
  journey in mental yogas (such as Raja or Jnana
  yoga) is started at the Heart chakra, and that in
  material class yogas (such as Kundalini yoga) at
  the Anal chakra.
• The Bhagavad Geeta is truly a compendium of the
  yoga systems prevailing at the time of its
  exposition, and in fact mentions as many as
  eighteen Vishaada Yoga (Ch. I), Sankhya Yoga
  (Ch. II), Karma Yoga (Ch. III), Gyan Karma
  Sanyasa Yoga (Ch. IV), Karma Sanyasa Yoga (Ch.
  V), Atma Sanyam Yoga or Dhyana Yoga (Ch. VI),
  Gyana Vigyana Yoga (Ch. VII), Akshara Brahma Yoga
  (Ch. VIII), Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (Ch. IX),
  Vibhooti Yoga (Ch. X), Vishva Rupa Darshan (Ch.
  XI), Bhakti Yoga (Ch. XII), Kshetra Kshetragya
  Vibhaga Yoga (Ch. XIII), Guna Trai Vibhaga Yoga
  (Ch. XIV), Purshottama Yoga (Ch. XV), Devasura
  Sampada Vibhaga Yoga (Ch. XVI), Shraddha Trai
  Vibhaga Yoga (Ch. XVII), and Mokshar Sanyasa Yoga
  (Ch. XVIII).
• A Karma Yogi purifies the heart through constant
  selfless service. He kills egoism through
  self-sacrifice, attains illumination and thus
  achieves conquest of self. Here, one needs to
  know and realize that one has a right to action
  or work and not to the fruit thereof. As one
  cannot but do work, the work is therefore to be
  performed in the true spirit of ones duty, a
  dedication unto the Lord, with the mind fixed on
  Him. The renunciation of attachment to the fruits
  brings evenness of temper, and in the calm of
  self-surrender lies true yoga of contemplation, a
  perfect peace born of total surrender of ones
  life to God.

33
Types of Yogas

• A Tantra Yogi (Buddhist/HinduShaiva, Shakta)
  practices deity visualizations using geometrical
  arrays and drawings (mandala), fierce male and
  particularly female deities, transgressive
  life-stage related rituals, extensive use of
  chakras, mantras and sexual techniques, all aimed
  to help one's health, long life and liberation.
  Tantra comprises meditation and ritual practices
  that seek to channel the divine energy of the
  macrocosm or godhead into the human microcosm, in
  order to attain Siddhis and Moksha. The Tantric
  aim is to sublimate (rather than negate)
  reality. The Tantric practitioner seeks to use 
  Prana to attain goals which may be spiritual,
  material or both.
• A Mantra Yogi effects union through the
  repetition of Om, Soham or any other name of God.
  It is concerned, with the acquisition of one or
  the other material or mental power or powers
  through the constant repetition of a particular
  mantra or oral formula in order to attract the
  presiding power or deity to which the mantra
  relates, and then to press that power into
  service, good or bad, according to the will and
  pleasure of the practitioner. It is the yoga of
  rhythmic repetition of hermetically sealed
  formulassacred and secretprepared by the
  ancient mantrakaras (adepts in phonetics and in
  the power of sounds, including supersonics or
  sounds beyond the human ken), each designed
  separately for winning over the particular god or
  goddess representing one or the other powers of
  nature.
• A Laya Yogi is, by a deep and continued
  absorption through concentration, gradually led
  to a state of forgetfulness of everything else,
  including the bodily self, and to having only one
  thought uppermost in ones mind, which is the
  objective before him for realization. This
  obsession may be for anything, worldly gain,
  power and pelf, name and fame even for acquiring
  Riddhis and Siddhis or supernatural powers or,
  above all, for attaining the Ultimate Reality we
  call God.

34
Types of Yogas

• A Hatha Yogi awakens the Kundalini Shakti, that
  is lying dormant in the Mooladhara chakra through
  Asanas (postures), Prânayama (breath control),
  Bandhas (catches) and Mudras (gestures), takes it
  through different chakras and unites Shakti with
  Shiva in Sahasrara chakra. Hatha Yoga Pradeepika,
  Shiva Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, Goraksha
  Samhita are some of its texts. Hatha yoga deals
  with the control of the body and the bodily
  activities as the means of stilling the mind.
  Even the routine of Hatha Yoga Kriyas is too
  difficult to perform, and often leads to inner
  complications which at times prove serious and
  incurable and endanger life. These kriyas are
  meant for purification of the arteries and other
  channels in the body of all kinds of accumulated
  mineral deposits like chalk, lime and salt, etc.,
  which clog the system and are the root cause of
  decay and disease. This process of deintoxication
  and rejuvenation is done by means of purificatory
  acts called Shat Karma (meaning six acts).
• A Raja Yogi practises control and concentration
  of mind thru Yama- self-restraint and Niyama-
  ethical observances. He sits, restrains the
  breath, withdraws the senses, controls the
  thoughts, practises Dharana- concentration,
  Dhyana- meditation and Samadhi- absorption unto
  the Lord. Raja Yoga is the royal road to
  reintegration the reintegration of soul which
  is now in a state of disintegration, having lost
  its cohesion through the diversifying influence
  of the mind running into so many outgoing
  channels. The job of a Raja yogin then, is to
  unmask the reality within him by removing the
  numberless masks or false identifications, and
  thereby to separate the great Self from the
  enshrouding sheaths by which it is encumbered.
  Ashtanga Yoga or the eightfold path of Patanjali
  leads to what is commonly known as Raja Yoga. It
  aims at Samadhi (the final step in Patanjalis
  yoga system), whereby the individual is
  deindividualized and perceives within him the
  totality, unbounded and unembodied, limitless and
  free, all pervading like the ether. It is seeing
  all things in the aspect of eternity.

35
Ashtanga Yoga

• Raja Yoga or Royal Yoga originally referred to
  the ultimate goal of Yoga, which is
  usually Samadhi, but was popularized by
  Vivekananda as the common name for Ashtanga Yoga,
  the eight limbs to be practiced to attain
  Samadhi, as described in the Yoga Sutras of
  Patanjali.
• Ashtanga Yoga is a system of Yoga containing
  eight spiritual practices Yama, Niyama, Asana,
  Prânayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi,
  recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga
  Korunta, an ancient manuscript. The four are
  preparatory internal cleansing practicesthe mind
  under control. When purification is complete and
  mind control occurs, the poisons surrounding the
  spiritual heart, one by one, go completely,
  revealing the Universal Self.
• The method for purifying and strengthening the
  body is called Asana (posture) to make the body
  strong and healthy. With the body and sense
  organs thus stabilized, the mind can be steady
  and controlled. With mind control, one is able to
  pursue and grasp these first two limbs,
  Yama and Niyama. To perform Asana correctly
  in Ashtanga Yoga, one must incorporate the use
  of Vinyasa (breathing and movement system)
  and Tristhana (three places of attention or
  action posture, breathing system and looking
  place). 
• Prânayama, the breathing technique performed
  with Vinyasa is called Ujjayi (victorious
  breath), which consists of Puraka (inhalation)
  and Rechaka (exhalation). The purpose of
  Bandha (lock or seal)  is to
  unlock prânic energy and direct it into the
  72,000 nâdis. Samyama or one-pointed
  concentration is the combination of Dharana
  (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi
  (absorption).
• The present human Sutratma or soul-string
  comprises triple Koshas or bodies Physical,
  Supra-Physical and Astral (Quarter-IV). Broadly
  speaking, the composite Ashtanga Yoga, comprising
  the Hatha Yoga, Prâna Yoga and Raja Yoga, hence
  deals with these triple bodies.

36
Sage Patanjali as an avatar of the divine
serpent, Sesha.
Ashtanga Yoga
37
Types of Yogas

• A Jnana Yogi exercises discrimination between
  spirit--matter, self--not-self and equips himself
  with Sadhana Chatushtaya- 4 means of salvation
  Viveka (wisdom), Vairagya (dispassion),
  Shad-Sampat (sixfold virtues) and Mumukshutva
  (intense yearning for final emancipation). Then
  he approaches a Brahma-Shrotri, Brahma-Nishtha
  Guru, hears Shrutis or Upanishads, reflects on
  what he has heard, meditates on Nirguna Brahman
  and attains self-realization. The path of Jnana
  Yoga is for those who are gifted with strong
  intellect or mental grasp and have a keen
  insight, capable of penetrating into the why and
  wherefore of things, so as to reach the core of
  reality. It means right discrimination and
  knowledge.
• A Bhakti Yogi develops the finer emotions
  through Navavidha Bhakti- nine-fold modes of
  devotion. He does Japa of Mantra, does Kirtan and
  serves the devotees and ungrudgingly
  self-surrenders to the Lord, and attaining the
  vision of the Lord, obtains mastery over death. A
  bhakta- devotee has, as a preliminary step, to
  understand the true significance of bhakti-
  devotion to the Lord and then to develop in
  himself a correct perspective, which may enable
  him to see the light of his Ishta-Deva not only
  in all forms of life. Bhakti is characterized by
  3 salient features japa, prema and the symbolic
  representation of the object of veneration.
• Surat-Shabda Yoga (union of Celestial Sound and
  spirit) is a Vishishtha or special form of Bhakti
  yoga- a spiritual practice followed in Sant-Mat.
  Surat means spirit or soul or attention,
  its outward expression. Shabd means Naam, Kalma
  or holy Word, the creational Audible Life
  Stream that expresses itself as the inner Light
  and Sound. It is considered to be a Sehaj Yoga
  (an easy path leading to equipoise). It comprises
  taking spiritual initiation from a Sant or
  perfect Master and regular meditation within
  human body-temple. It begins with Sumiran or
  remembrance of the charged verbal names given by
  the Guru, culminating in Dhyan- affixation on
  inner Light, and a second practice called Bhajan
  for hearing the spirit elevating inner Sound.

38
Prâna-Yoga

• Prânayama Yoga, Mudra Yoga and Dhârana Yoga are
  all for the control of the 5 Prânas and mind.
  Mind without Prâna is like a bird without wings.
  The practice of the Mudras is to control the
  dynamic energy of the Kundalini, namely, Prâna,
  Apâna, etc. The practice of Prânayama is also to
  control the dynamic energy of the Kundalini, and
  with it awaken the static energy of the
  Kundalini, which is sleeping at the Mooladhara,
  or root chakra. When the 5 Prânas are controlled
  or made to stop at the desired place, the
  Muladhara chakra, or at the door of the Sushumna,
  it will work like a spark to the static energy of
  the Kundalini Shakti at rest or 'coiled'.
• The task of the Yogi is to gather together or
  control the 5 Prânas the life force of the
  Kundalini that the dynamic energy of the
  Kundalini may be used to awaken the static energy
  of it. In the tissues of a living body, again,
  the operative energy ('vital force') polarizes
  itself into two similar forms- anabolic and
  katabolic one tending to change and the other to
  conserve the tissues, the actual condition of the
  tissues being simply the resultant of these two
  coexistent or concurrent activities. When the
  Yogin has opened the inner eye, then he sees the
  different chakras and the energy of the
  Kundalini.
• Prânayama powerfully reacts on Mooladhara
  Shakti, so much so that it awakes the dormant
  power and sends it piercing through the centres.
  The common description that the Kundali uncoils
  herself then and goes up the Sushumna, leaving
  the Mooladhara, should be admitted with caution.
  Kundali, when powerfully worked upon by Yoga,
  sends forth an emanation or ejection in the
  likeness of Her own self (like the 'etheric
  double' of the Theosophists and Spiritualists)
  which pierces through the various centres until
  it becomes blended with the Maha-kundali of Shiva
  at the highest or seventh centre. While this
  self-ejection of the coiled power at the
  Mooladhara ascends the Sushumna, the coiled power
  itself does not and need not stir from its place.

39
Prâna-Yoga

• The traditional Yoga systems have always
  regarded the awakening of Kundalini for the
  attainment of higher consciousness as an arduous
  life-long undertaking, suitable for only a few.
• When Apâna rises upward to the 'Fire chakra,'
  the flame of divine fire grows strong and bright,
  being fanned by Apâna. When the Apâna fire mixes
  with the Prâna, which is naturally hot, the
  spiritual heat of the body becomes bright and
  powerful. When the Kundalini feels this extra
  heat, she awakens from sleep then she goes into
  the Sushumna.
• The Kundalini is coiled like a serpent, and by
  Mudras or Prânayama processes, Kundalini moves
  and opens the mouth of Sushumna. When Kundalini
  awakens or moves, it goes up to the different
  chakras and returns again and again. While she
  reaches to the Sahasrara, still she is at her
  home at the Mooladhara chakra.
• The Kundali at Mooladhara is the whole
  primordial Shakti in monad or germ or latency
  that is why it is coiled. The Kundali that mounts
  up the nâdi is also the whole Shakti in a
  specially dynamic form an eject likeness of the
  Eternal Serpent. The result of the last fusion
  (there are successive fusions in the various
  centres also) in the Sahasrara is also the whole,
  or Purna. In this conception, the permanent
  static background is not really depleted, much
  less is it dispensed with. It is merely the
  conversion of static (potential) energy into
  dynamic (kinetic) energy in part, the sum
  remaining constant. The Yogi therefore simply
  'awakens', and never creates Shakti.
• The mind is made to move by two things, the
  Prâna and desire. If Prâna is controlled, desire
  is also controlled. Therefore, Prâna and mind are
  as one. As long as the mind is not mastered, so
  long the senses are not mastered. When the three
  are controlled, then the Yoga can hold them on
  any Chakra, and awaken or move the Kundalini. By
  control of the Prâna and mind, the Yogi gains
  strength by this strength he arises above all
  diseases. So Yogi practice Prânayama and the
  Mudras to master Prâna.

40
Pranayama
41
Shiva Yoga

• The principle of Shiva Yoga aims at transcending
  the symbol thru the symbol. Symbol is used of the
  Linga, assumes two forms as Ishta and Prâna like
  within and without, they are also inseparably
  related to each other. When thru unblinking gaze
  the aspirant is lost in meditation on Linga, he
  loses consciousness of within and without and
  finds himself in identity with truth.
• Shiva Yoga aims at the awakening of the dormant
  pineal gland. When, by the process of Shiva-yoga,
  the dormant pineal gland begins to vibrate, it
  releases flood of light. Ishta linga which is a
  stone with a shiny covering is a crystal magnet
  used in the process. It is made of light grey
  slate stone which contains and generates
  electricity. To be kept intact, it is coated all
  over with a fine durable paste made of certain
  ingredients. The colour of the paste is indigo or
  blue-black. The colour of bhroo-madhya chakra
  (Agneya chakra) is also indigo. Their colours,
  being akin in nature, they act and react upon
  each other thus generating electromagnetic waves
  which dash against the pineal gland situated in
  the third ventricle of the brain.
• By sustained focus upon Linga, transmuted
  energies rise up the nerve channel into medulla
  oblongata through the pons, then pass down into
  the pituitary behind the eyes. The increasing
  pituitary radiations finally pass through the
  third ventricle until they awaken the dormant
  pineal, and the Shiva netra lights up between
  them. Concentrated gaze generates psychic heat or
  Tapas which stirs pineal gland into activity.
  This produces psychic light (Tejas) which, in
  turn, leads to the release of thought force
  (Ojas), a power of vision and power of execution.
  
• Linga is the connecting and co-ordinating link
  between Shiva and Shakti or the unifying
  principle of truth and will. Shiva is the Sat
  aspect of reality, while Shakti is its Chit
  aspect. Shiva and Shakti are the transcendent and
  immanent, static and dynamic, personal and
  impersonal aspect of reality. Sat and Chit become
  one in Ananda Sat-Chit-Ananda.

42
Shiva Yoga
43
Kriya Yoga

• Kriya Yoga is the ancient Yoga system, revived
  in modern times by  Mahavatar Babaji through his
  disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, ca. 1861. To
  Westerners, it was brought into popular awareness
  through Paramahansa Yoganandas book
  Autobiography of a Yogi. Through Lahiri
  Mahasaya, Kriya Yoga soon spread throughout
  India. Yogananda, a disciple of Shri Yukteswar
  Giri who was himself a disciple of Lahiri
  Mahasaya, then brought Kriya Yoga to the US and
  Europe during the 20th cent. It is being
  popularized today by several groups incl. the
  Isha Fdn., Art of Living etc.
• Yogananda also stated that Krishna was referring
  to Kriya Yoga when "Lord Krishna ... relates that
  it was 'he', in a former incarnation, who
  communicated the indestructible yoga to an
  ancient illuminato, Vivasvat, who gave it to
  Manu, the great legislator. He, in turn,
  instructed Ikshwaku, the father of Indias solar
  warrior dynasty." And again he says, "Liberation
  can be accomplished by that Prânayama which is
  attained by disjoining the course of inhalation
  and exhalation. "
• In Kriya Yoga, offering inhaling breath into the
  outgoing breath, and offering the outgoing breath
  into the inhaling breath, the yogi neutralizes
  both these breaths he thus releases the life
  force from the heart and brings it under his
  control. Patanjali refers to the Kriya technique
  when he wrote in the Yoga Sutras II49
  "Liberation can be attained by that Prânayama
  which is accomplished by disjoining the course of
  inspiration and expiration."
• The Kriya Yogi mentally directs his life energy
  to revolve, upward and downward, around the six
  chakras, which correspond to the twelve astral
  signs of the zodiac, the symbolic Cosmic Man.
  Kriya entails several acts that have evidently
  been adapted from the Geeta, the Yoga Sutras,
  Tantra shastras and from conceptions on the
  Yugas. The science of Kriya Yoga was given to
  Manu, the original Adam, and through him to
  Janaka and other royal sages.

44
Soma Rasa
Candidate plants for Soma include Honey, Fly
agaric (Amanita muscaria), genus Ephedra (Haoma),
Poppy seeds, Cannabis, Bhang (Indian hemp)- its
derivatives are Marijuana and Hashish, Psilocybe
cubenis- a hallucinogenic mushroom.

• Soma is a substance secreted by the Yogis body
  as a result of perfecting certain practices and
  attaining a higher consciousness. It is described
  as green-tinted and bright-shining in the
  RigVeda. Soma was kept and distributed by the
  Gandharvas. King of gods, Indra became
  intoxicated after drinking the Soma and was able
  to destroy the cosmic serpent wrapped around the
  cosmic egg.
• Soma evolved into a lunar deity. Full moon is
  the time to collect and press the divine drink.
  The moon is also the cup from which the gods
  drink Soma, thus identifying Soma with the moon
  god Chandra. A waxing moon meant Soma was
  recreating himself, ready to be drunk again.
  Soma's 27 wives were the star goddesses, the
  Nakshatrasdaughters of the cosmic progenitor
  Daksha, who told their father that he paid too
  much attention to just one of them, Rohini.
  Daksha subsequently cursed Soma to wither and
  die, but the wives intervened and the death
  became periodic and temporary, and is symbolized
  by the waxing and waning of the moon.
• Nectar is something that is produced by the
  raising of the Kundalini energy, which is the
  result of certain yogic and tantric practices.
  Khechari mudra stimulates the production and
  retention of the nectar. It stops the movement of
  Prâna or life-force energy in the side channels
  and enables it to move into the central channel.
  When the Prâna moves properly in the central
  channel, the mind stills and the practitioner
  enters into a heightened state of awareness. Even
  then, the nectar is not produced unless the
  Kundalini rises in the central channel and that
  can only happen if there is sufficient sexual
  essence or Prâna to fuel its passage.

45
Khechri Mudra

• Pineal gland not only produces the neuro-hormone
  Melatonin, one of body's most potent
  anti-oxidents, and pinoline, as well as other
  beta-carbolines, having miraculous powers.
  Ancients used the plant that has these
  componentsthe well-known Soma plant (Assyrian
  Rue or Pegunam Harmala). Soma plant mixed with
  gold, meteorite and special elements has been
  used in Ayurveda.
• By sublimating and conserving sexual energy, the
  vital fluid (semen) rises to Sahasrara, becomes
  Soma, the nectar of immortality and spreads
  through the lymphatic system, eventually finding
  its way to the brain, where it becomes Ojas
  (vigour) and Tejas (splendour), essential for
  obtaining super-consciousness. This ascent of
  conserved energy is called Urdhvaretas. 
• While practicing Kriya Yoga, mind becomes
  enchanted while listening to nada, a divine
  nectar-like current flows from the Sahasrara.
  Through Khechari mudra, touching the tip of the
  tongue to the uvula or little tongue (or
  placing it in the nasal cavity behind the uvula),
  that divine life-current draws Prâna from the
  senses into the spine and directs it up through
  the chakras to Vaishvanara (Universal Spirit),
  uniting the consciousness with Spirit. The entire
  body is thereby spiritualized and energized. As a
  result, a perceptible glow may emanate from the
  body.
• Once Khechari mudra has been mastered, it
  activates Bindu Visarga chakra to produce
  ambrosial fluid, the Elixir of Life. The
  ambrosial fluid travels in Sushumna to the 7th
  chakra and then drips down the throat enabling
  Yogis to enter Jada (inert) samadhi and sustain
  breathless life. However, if Khechari mudra is
  attempted before the lower chakras are purified,
  a poison will be secreted.
• From Chandra or Indu chakra is shed the essence
  of the body, which causes death of men. It
  should, therefore, be stopped from shedding by
  Khechari mudra. He who drinks Soma, the liquor of
  moon falling from the brain to the 16-petalled
  lotus, obtained by means of Prâna, by applying
  the tongue to the hole of the pendant in the
  palate, and by meditating on the great power
  (Kundalini), becomes free from disease and tender
  in body and lives a very long life.

46
Khechri Mudra

•  Bindu Visagra, is the psychic center at the top
  of the head towards the back, but at the same
  plane where the 3rd eye is located. Bindu means
  point and dot, and refers to the point where
  each individual contains the potential
  consciousness and creative force. It is said to
  be the place where the moon resides and when it
  is full, it sheds its nectar or ambrosial
  fluid down to permeate the entire body, The flow
  of nectar produced by the bindu make the body
  resistant to toxins in the system and the immune
  system strengthens towards all viruses. In
  physiological terms, this flow of nectar is
  associated with the release of hormones from the
  pituitary gland into the bloodstream.
• In Vishuddha (throat) chakra the nectar amrita
  drips down the Chitrini nâdi, and is split into a
  pure form and a poison. Through practices such as
  Khechari Mudra and Jalandhara Bandha the nectar
  reaching Vishuddha is purified, the poison from
  the body is cleansed and amrita becomes the
  nectar of immortality. The nectar and poison
  originate from the Hindu episode of the churning
  of the Ocean of Milk in which gods and demons
  churn the ocean to obtain Amrita, the nectar of
  immortal life.
• During Shirsasana and Sarvangasana, Amrita is
  increased, bestowing health and
  longevity. According to Hatha Yoga, if one
  practices Kechari mudra the process of
  degeneration of the body can be
  reversed. Khechari mudra is turning the tongue
  backwards into the cavity of the cranium and
  turning the eyes inwards towards the eyebrow
  center.
• Khechari mudra is a cleansing technique that can
  change the structure of the tongue the tongue
  becomes flexible and can be inserted into the
  upper epiglottis. This is when the nectar begins
  to flow! It flows from Bindu Visagra to Vishuddhi
  chakra, where it gets purified and processed for
  further use and distribution to the whole body.
  To gain immortality though one needs to perform
  techniques and practices so that the nectar is
  trapped and consumed within the human body. One
  of the purpose of Jalandhara Bandha (throat
  lockwhere jal means water) is to hold the
  nectar in Vishuddhi and prevent it from falling
  into the digestive fire. In this way, Prâna is
  conserved.

47
Samudra Manthan

•  When the devas (good supernatural deities)
  and asuras (the supenatural forces of chaos that
  are in constant battle with the devas) were
  churning the ocean they extracted 14 elements,
  two of which were nectar and deadly poison.
  Neither of the two parties wanted the poison, but
  both wanted the nectar. When it came to the
  distribution of the nectar, devas and asuras sat
  in two lines. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a
  beautiful young maiden and danced between the two
  lines, discreetly pouring the nectar only into
  the glasses of the devas. One asura sat in the
  devas line and also received the nectar.
  However, as he swallowed and it reached his
  throat, the sun and moon, who had been watching
  the whole situation, informed Vishnu, who then
  destroyed the asura before the nectar had time to
  circulate through the body and endow him with
  immortality.
• Now when the poison was extracted everyone was
  afraid. Whoever drank the poison would be
  finished, and yet there was no safe place to
  discard it either. If it was thrown away the
  three worlds would be burnt. So they took the
  poison to Lord Shiva to ask for his help because
  he was the only one able to drink it without
  being destroyed. Shiva drank the poison and
  retained it in his throat. He managed to purify
  the poison and liberated the world from a deadly
  danger.  Therefore, he is often depicted with a
  blue throat and called Neela-kantha. This myth
  signifies the capacity of the Yogi who has
  awakened Vishuddhi chakra to assimilate both
  positive and negative aspects of life to retain
  balance, health and equanimity in the midst of
  the dualities of pain and pleasure, light and
  dark, life and death, body and mind etc.
• The conduit of immortality, Amrita nâdi
  manifests upon full enlightenment and creates a
  link between the ascending sushumna nâdi and the
  centre of the heart. It is as if a line of Light
  were plumbed between the deep centre of the upper
  coil (midbrain to crown) and the deep centre of
  the lower coil (below and behind the navel). The
  whole body becomes full of Light and Radiant
  Bliss.

48
Sudarshan Kriya Mind-Body Relationship

• The interaction of the conscious and
  subconscious mind requires a congruent
  interaction between the corresponding systems of
  nerves, our Autonomic Nervous Systems and our
  Cerebrospinal Nervous Systems. Vagus nerve acts
  as the central switchboard between our two
  nervous systems, acting as a bio-informational
  data-bus that routes the impulses going through
  in both directions. The Vagus nerve passes out of
  the cerebral region as a portion of the voluntary
  system to the thorax, networking out to our
  hearts and lungs, and ultimately passing through
  the diaphragm it loses its outer coating and
  becomes merged with the nerves of the Solar
  Plexus, thus establishing a binding connection
  between the two, and making humans the self aware
  beings that we are.
• Having an understanding of the dual nervous
  systems, the relationship between unhealthy vagal
  activity and a myriad of diseases, the knowledge
  of how the health of our nervous systems directly
  corresponds do our mental health, it makes sense
  that healing the Vagus nerve can provide profound
  benefits. it also acts as a br