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Vitalizing Pranayamas
A
Il pranayamas are vitalizing in the sense that they enhance the pranic system. However, these techniques do so in a dynamic way, arousing body and mind, creating alertness and heat at both the physical and subtle levels. The tranquillizing techniques are cooling and soothing, while the vitalizing techniques produce the opposite effect. The vitalizing pranayamas can be used to increase the energy or to move out of introspective or dull states of mind. They may be regarded as more advanced techniques and should not be practised in hot weather or before sleep.
Whether one uses vitalizing or tranquillizing pranayamas, the awareness should remain constant, over and above the technique and its effects. From this viewpoint one can study the actions of body and mind under a whole range of conditions.
Swana Pranayama (panting breath)
In preparation for bhastrika and kapalbhati pranayama, it is useful to first practise swana pranayama. Swana means 'panting'. It is actually a simple form of agnisara kriya (see Appendix A). In swana pranayama, abdominal movement is combined with oral respiration. The word 'agnisara' is very meaningful in this context. Agni means fire, sar means movement. This practice is the movement of the fire element which is centralized in the visceral area from where the heat
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