What is the eligibility criterion for practicing Kumbhak?

Q : In the Sixth Chapter of Geeta, ‘Dhyaan Yog’, Lord Krishna said “Concentrate between the two eyebrows and stop the prana vayu and apaan vayu”. I tried to meditate this way. I started practicing kumbhak slowly. Now I do kumbhak for 3-5 minutes each time. When I sit to do kumbhak, I lift my apaan vayu and retain it for 3-5 minutes, in this situation, my body temperature rises within 2 minutes and after 4 minutes I see an open space like a black ocean within myself and I keep on going deeper and deeper into it. All this happens on its own and when I do kumbhak for 4 minutes, I feel afraid at this point. I don’t know what to do further. Please guide me.
Munish

Answer

Munish, it’s true that Krishna has talked about concentrating between the eyebrows but I have a huge question about your interpretation about the stoppage of the prana and the apaan vayu. Where have you got this understanding from?

Well, regarding Kumbhak I can tell you that you cannot afford to be in a rush with Kumbhak. Kumbhak cannot be practiced by a body which has not been purified.

The body becomes eligible for doing kumbhak only after having practiced Yoga Asana for at least 2 years along with the practice of pranayama like Anulom-Vilom, Kapalbhati, Bhastrika etc.

Having followed the regime of Yoga Asana and pranayama, holistically you can start up with 2-4 minutes of Kumbhak (retention of breath). The retention of breath must be learnt from a right teacher. You cannot play with prana, it’s like a snake which can kill you. Any practice, which is not done with right understanding, can be dangerous. Thus, I suggest that don’t do kumbhak on your own.

Practice Yoga Asanas like Surya Namaskara, Ushtra Asana, Mandook Asana, Janu Shirsha Asana, Ardha Matsyendra Asana, Sarvaanga Asana, Shirsha Asana etc. This is a basic catalogue you need to follow along with a saatvik - pure vegetarian diet coupled with disciplined sleeping time, wake up time. Also, you must do pranayama for at least 1 hour every day. After following this protocol for a year or so, your body will be able to take the whole pressure and energy generated by doing kumbhak.

Gurumaa

Views: 1,606

Tags: kumbhak, prana energy