Pran and Pranayam

Author(s): Niranjananand Saraswati Swami
Publisher: Yoga Publication Trust

Page 315

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Variation required. The ring finger controls the flow of air in the left nostril in the same way. The little finger is not used and is comfortably folded. Each side of the nostrils should be pressed with light pressure only, so the septum does not bend to one side or the other; be firm but gentle. The arm should be in front and near the centre of the chest, but not touching or crowding the chest so as to obstruct the expansion of the lungs. The elbow should point downward, because if it is out at the sides, it can cause the arm to ache after some time. Keep the arms and shoulders relaxed; the less tension, the more rounds you will be able to complete without physical
discomfort and interruption of the pranayama practice. Practice note: The two concave depressions on each side of
the nostrils are the most efficient positions to place the thumb and ring finger for the control of the two nostrils, as less pressure is needed to close the nostril. The fingers do not have to make such a large movement when changing from one nostril to the other. This lessens disruptions, however minimal, to both the body and the
pranayama practice itself. Variation: Another variation of nasikagra mudra is where
the index and middle fingers are bent or folded into the palm of the hand. However, this eliminates the added
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