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Surya Bheda Pranayama (vitality stimulating breath)
The Sanskrit word surya means 'sun', which refers to pingala nadi, while bheda means 'to pierce', 'pass through' or 'awaken'. Surya bheda pierces or purifies pingala nadi. This practice is similar to chandra bheda, but it stimulates prana shakti, the opposite energy force. By inhaling through the right nostril, the left brain hemisphere and pingala nadi are activated. By retaining the breath after inhalation, the prana is held in pingala. By exhaling through the left nostril the energy is released along with any impurities that remain in ida.
Surya bheda is a powerful practice and should be learned under proper guidance, so that its effects may be checked. Internal retention and bandhas should be perfected before attempting this practice.
Technique I: with alternate nostrils
Stage I: Assume a comfortable meditation asana.
Place the hands on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra.
Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
When the body is comfortable and still, watch the breath until it spontaneously becomes slow and deep.
Adopt nasagra mudra.
Close the left nostril and inhale slowly and deeply through the right nostril.
At the end of inhalation, close both nostrils and retain the breath inside.
Lower the head in jalandhara bandha.
Hold the breath and the lock for as long as is comfortable. Raise the head and when the head is upright, exhale slowly through the left nostril.
This is one round.
Repeat the same process: inhalation through the right nostril and exhalation through the left nostril.
Practise 10 rounds, gradually increasing the length of inhalation/retention/exhalation.
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