Bahya Pranayama

Bahya means out side (of body). Here it is retention of breathing out.

Duration – 3 to 5 Minutes

Caution

A. Yoga Aspirants who have history or complaint of High blood pressure or any kind of cardiac problem, should not attempt to practice this  Pranayama. Instead, they can pump stomach in and out while gently holding breath out (known as Agnisar Kriya, invigorates Jatharagnai-appetite). Both kinds of practices can be done alternatively (one after other) by regulars also.

B. Those who have chronic neck pain, should avoid straining neck and not bend the head to touch chin to throat pit at all. (Should skip to perform Jallandhar-Bandha)

1. Sit in any Comfortable Asana ( Padmasana, ArdhaPadmasana and Vajrasana etc. )

2. Inhale fully through nostrils, (simultaneously stretch body straight upright, elevate chest and hold the body in this posture) and exhale completely.

3. Hold the breath out for some time (to individual’s capacity) and apply three Bandha (locks) in sequence.

4. First apply Moola Bandha (Root Lock), means tighten and draw your anus upwards with the help of internal anal sphincter muscles, lock it (it is called Ashvini Mudra, like a staling horse).

5. Then apply Uddiyana Bandha, means draw your abdominal organs maximum towards lumber vertebras (with the help of vacuum so created by holding exhalation).

6. Finally the Jallandhar Bandha, means draw your chin towards sternum notch (or Kantha-kup, pit of throat) with slightly bending head downward. Hold the three Locks called Maha Bandha.

7. when practiced in tandem  for a while and when it is felt necessary to inhale, first raise your head up, loose down abdomen, inhale from nostrils deeply and  finally open Moola Bandha (relax anus).

8. Rest for a while and breathe normally 2-3 times before attempting next cycle of Bahya Pranayama.

9. While applying Jallandhar Bandha, don’t bend head much as it will induce a tendency to release Moola-Bandha; rather bring chin nearer to the center of Collar Bone. (You can slightly lift the thoracic frame also)

Benefits of Bahya Pranayama - Practicing Bahya Pranayama and Mastering over it is rejuvenating, enhances concentration level manifolds for supporting Meditation. Bahya Pranayama empowers the practitioner with enormous sitting capacity in meditating postures which leads to touch further dimensions of Yoga Practice. Wavering mind comes to rest, becomes composed and focused.

In physical terms, practice of Bahya Pranayama is beneficial in problems related to Piles, Fishers, Uterus, Diabetes, Thyroids, throat, prostate, regenerative organs and urinary disorders.

Note -1. It would be worthwhile to precisely explain here the working principle of Bandhas, Locks.

Prana is usually translated as breath, yet this is only one of the manifestations in the body. Ancient sages knew that all functions of the body were performed by five types of vital energy (Prana Vayu). These are known as…..

1. Prana: (Generic name) moves in the thoracic region and controls breathing.

2. Apana: moves in lower abdomen and controls elimination of urine, semen,  and faeces.

3. Samana: strokes the gastric fire s, aiding digestion and maintaining the harmonious functioning of the abdominal organs.

4. Udana: working through the throat, controls the vocal cord and the intake of food and air.

5. Vyana: pervades entire body, distributes the energy derived from food and breath to arteries, veins and nerves.

Though the vital force is one, but the emancipated sages designated it by various names as of the God is one but seen in different forms or names.

By applying different Bandhas during Pranayama, the corresponding regions of body are (separated and) locked and the vital force circulates within that region giving strength to it. That is how the efficacy of Bandhas can be explained.

2. Improper or even proper performance of Moola Bandha is gravely dangerous for ignorant aspirants for the reason that it increases the sexual retentive power which the practitioner is tempted to abuse. If he succumbs to this temptation, his dormant desires arouse and he becomes lethal like a sleeping serpent stirred by a stick. Improper performance of Uddiyana Bandha is likely to cause involuntary discharge of semen and hence the loss of vitality and good health. With the mastery of three Bandhas, the practitioner is at the cross roads of his destiny; one leads to Bhoga (enjoyments of slippery worldly pleasures, and miseries coupled to it) and the other to Yoga or the union with Supreme Soul (the beatitude). The choice is absolutely yours of course. It is better not to practice Bahya Pranayama than to abuse its resulting powers.

Therefore perform this Pranayama reverentially and knowledgeably for higher (spiritual) pursuits of life. That is the glory of Yoga and Yoga-Sadhana.