May
14
The word ‘Sadhana’ doesn’t hold any meaning in itself. It is another thing that we have assigned meaning of our own choice to it. But in the purest sense of a word, ‘Sadhana’ is free from denotation. Meaning is instilled in Sadhana, when some aim, rationale and action get exhibited through it. The deed of a spiritualistic saint is ‘Sadhana’ and, in the context of science, the deeds of a space traveler are also ‘Sadhana’. A mother prepares meal for her children, her family – this is also ‘Sadhana’. The value of this ‘Sadhana’ is not understood, but when untrained hands are entrusted with the responsibility of preparing meals, at that time it is unveiled how huge ‘Sadhana’ is.”
-Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya
Translated from – Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s work
Jeevan Devta Ki Sadhna Aaradhna – Vol 2 – Page 3.73
May
14
How to perform Jalandhara Bandha
Sit in Vajrasana, Siddhasana , Bhadrasana, Guptasana or Padmasana. This lock can be performed after inhalation or exhalation. For practicing it, you bend your chin to the collarbone by contracting your throat muscles.
The locking will prevent you from bringing outer air in or inner air out.
Benefits of Jalandhara Bandha
Jalandhara Bandha is beneficial for the thyroid gland and the parathyroid gland.
It is one of the best exercises to prevent and to get rid of double chin. Not only your double chin will disappear, it will also make you glow from the inside and work against wrinkles.
With this pose you stimulate the fifth chakra, the Vishuddhi Chakra, which will help you to express your feelings andemotions.
Performing this exercise is good for singers and speakers as it increases the strength and the blood flow in your vocal cord.
It is also good for the circulatory system and has a positive effect on your blood pressure and heart. Due to the tension created by bending your chin, Jalandhara Bandha can help you with problems of your ears like tinnitus, eyes and all kinds of throat problems.
The stimulation of the top of the spinal cord prevents upper back and shoulder pain.
The bending of your chin will also cause the thyroid gland to release a fluid which will increase the number of white blood cells in your blood. This strengthens your immune system and can prevent many different menstruation problems that women experience.
Focus Points
Make sure that you focus on the muscles of your throat so that you can contract them.
Tips and Help
Closing your eyes helps you to focus on the pose and to do it properly.
May
14
Names: Surya Bheda Pranayama, Surya Bhedana Pranayama, Right Nostril Breathing
Surya means sun, Bheda means breaking through something. The right nostril is the doorway of Pingala Nadi, representing the sun energy, the hot energy or the masculine energy in our body. It is the energy which is responsible for activeness and physical work. By practicing this exercise we are intensively activating the sun energy or in other words making a break-through of sun energy by activating the right nostril breathing.
For practicing this breathing exercise, sit comfortably in Siddhasana , Padmasana or Bhadrasana. Make the Vishnu Mudra. Close your left nostril with your little and ring finger. Now inhale deeply and slowly without making any noise. After completing the inhalation close your right nostril with your thumb. Make Kumbhaka and hold the breath. Now makeJalandhara Bandha. For exhalation, you go out of the Jalandhara Bandha Open the left nostril and exhale accordingly. You can repeat this pose in the same manner 3 to 5 times.
During the exercise the you should count in the following way:
Count to 2 during inhalation, to 8 while holding the breath and to 4 during exhalation. You can also count 4, 16, 8 or 8, 32, 16 if it fits you better.
Benefits of Surya Bheda Pranayama
Surya Bheda Pranayama is a very good exercise for Vata problems and cures problems with gas in the abdominal region.
It stimulates the brain and Kundalini energy as it activates the sun energy which increases the heat in the body.
It is helpful for women who are suffering from a lack of sexual desire or have problems to achieve an orgasm.
If you often have cold feet and hands do this exercise and get warm again!
Of course, if you have some knowledge about the chakras, this energy is also the energy of the third chakra, the fire and the heat. So at the same time you stimulate your Manipoor Chakra!
Focus Points
Make sure and be aware that you are actively breathing from the right nostril.
Tips and Help
You can start with the low counting and then increase it.
In the very beginning of your practice you can even start doing it without Kumbhaka (the holding) and Jalandhara Bandha. That will make you feel more comfortable with the breathing. Then you slowly introduce those elements into the exercise.
When to Avoid Surya Bheda Pranayama
It should not be performed if you are suffering from any kind of fever as it increases the heat your body. If you currently have diarrhea, please also avoid this pose.
People who have high Pitta or acidity should avoid this posture as well.
May
1
Men imbibe the traditions of their communities, their society, their caste, and their region, and they imbibe them mainly because of proximity and association. It is in human nature to imitate and follow whatever is happening around. While we do use our deeper wisdom, logic, and rationality, we do it rarely so.
The reason being that it requires significant mental exertion. Just as our physical body shies away from work that is physically tedious, so is our mind, avoiding hard mental exertion when it can. As a result, we are often doing things without thinking them through with insight and without properly investigating what is true and what is false. This just furthers the tradition of imitation and mimicry that is almost blind. In time, these imitated traditions and practices begin to morph into the first seeds of faith and belief.
-Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya
Translated from – Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s work
Aatmagyan Aur Atmakalyan page 3