11/10/2024
On describing Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing without retention), Gregor Maehle details the Lunar and Solar elements found in each round.
During Ujjayi breathing we internalise the mantra of OM 🕉️
but during Nadi Shuddhi this is different.
Here we pronounce two syllables;
1. Vam (water) 💧
2. Ram (fire) 🔥
Gregor writes (so poetically) :
“🌙The lunar cycle consists of an inhalation through the left nostril and an exhalation through the right nostril. During that time, pronounce the bija akshara (seed syllable) ‘Vam’
🌞The solar cycle constitutes an inhalation through the right nostril and an exhalation through the left. During that time pronounce the bija akshara ‘Ram’
The location into which we pronounce the mantra is also of importance.
🌙💧Intonate the syllable of water in the centre of the skull, the larger area of the third ventricle of the brain. This area in yogic parlance is called ‘the moon’, as it constitutes the lunar, life-giving, anabolic, nurturing reservoir of prana called amrita. While we pronounce Vam in this area, we visualize this centre as the disc of the full moon, shining like an ocean of liquid silver, with a cooling, nectar-like quality.
🌞🔥During the solar cycle we pronounce Ram in the circle of fire, i.e. the Manipura Chakra. The Manipura is called the circle of fire because it is the seat of agni, the element of fire.
Each chakra is a representation of a particular element and it carries that element within itself.
The Manipura (navel chakra) represents the element fire, in the body most notable as the digestive fire. Each chakra also has a seed syllable (bija aksharas) associated with it, which again represents the element. The bija mantra of the navel chakra is the syllable of fire, which is Ram.
Strike the mantra Ram into the circle of fire, which you visualize at the navel or, precisely speaking, the point behind the navel where a projected horizontal line emanating from the navel would meet the spinal cord.
This is the location of the Manipura Chakra”
🖌️Hand-painted mandala of the Manipura Chakra by Rebecca Mercer.
📖 Words from Gregor Maehle’s Pranayama; The breath of yoga
