PRANAYAMA SAMHITA

A Pranayama Compendium of Neglected, Little Known, or Forgotten Breathing Exercises of the

Hatha yogis There is no other method for controlling the mind and realizing the self except by
controlling the prana breaths ... There is no other method to control prana breaths except by
yoga sadhana (i.e., pranayama). From Bija Yoga (Seed of Yoga, 74-75)
PRIMARY TEXT CONSULTED:
KP: Kumbhaka Paddhati (Path of the Water Pot) by Raghuvira
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS:
GS: Gheranda Samhita (Gheranda’s Compendium) HRA: Hatha Ratna Avali (String of Jewels on
Hatha) by Shrinavasa HSC: Hatha Sanketa Candrika (Moonlight on the Conventions of Hatha
[Yoga]) by Sundaradeva HTK: Hatha Tatva Kaumudi (Moonlight on the Principles of Hatha [Yoga])
by Sundaradeva JP: Joga Pradipika by JayataramaShanU: Shandilya Upanishad (Shandilya’s
Secret Book) VS: Vasishtha Samhita (Vasishtha’s Compendium) YCU: Yoga Chudamani Upanishad
(Secret Book of the Crown Jewel of Yoga) YRah: Yoga Rahasya (Secret Yoga)
INTRODUCTION
This is a compendium of neglected, little known, or forgotten breathing exercises of the Hatha
yogis. The base material is taken from the Kumbhaka Paddhati (published by the Lonavla Yoga
Institute, India), and supplemented by the texts listed above.
ENTRY FORMAT:
ENGLISH NAME description of technique (aka: also known as, other names, if any);sanskrit nam
eBENEFITS (if any listed)
KEY ABBREVIATIONS:
IN = inhaleEX = exhale R = right nostril L = lef nostril B = bandhaK = kumbhaka > = next phase<>
= alternate IN /EX
PRACTICE CATEGORIES
Inhale through open nostrils/exhale variouslyInhale nostrils partially closedInhale/exhale
through one nostril Inhale/exhale through same nostril Inhale/exhale through
alternate nostrils Inhale/exhale through mouthHold breath at/move breath to specific areas in
the bodyExercises with major vayusExercises with the minor vayusOther visualizations
DEFINITION OF KUMBHAKA
The word kumbhaka derives from kumbha: “jar, pitcher, waterpot, ewer, small water-jar” (ka is
an affix added here to express similarity; i.e., kumbhaka literally means “like a pot” or “pot-
like”). Kumbhaka has two meanings. Specifically it names one of three breathing phases
generally said to comprise pranayama: puraka, “filling, completing, satisfying” (from pura,
“filling”), i.e., inhalation; recaka, “emptying, purging” (from reca, “emptying”), i.e., exhalation;
and kumbhaka, “pot.” The “pot” referred to in this sense is the torso (or lungs). The analogy is
that just as a clay pot holds water, the torso “pot” holds air; in this context, kumbhaka means
breath retention. There are actually two varieties of breath retention, Interior (abhyantara), in
which the inhale is held in the torso, and Exterior (bahya), in which the breath is held “outside”
the torso afer exhale; so to be precise, pranayama consists of four phases: inhale, inner
retention, exhale, outer retention. More generally however, which at times can be
somewhat confusing, kumbhaka refers to pranayama itself, which indicates that traditionally
among the three phases, kumbhaka is considered most important. Kumbhaka is said to have six
limbs (sadanga): mula bandha, puraka, jalandhara bandha, kumbhaka, uddiyana bandha, and
recaka. In addition, kumbhaka has two basic categories: Supported (sahita) and Isolated
(kevala). Supported in turn has two categories: Embryo-less (agarbha or nigarbha), which means
the practice includes neither mantra nor meditation; and Embryo (sagarbha), which means the
practice includes either or both mantra and meditation. There are then six varieties of Embryo:
Smokey (sadhuma), Smokeless (vidhuma), XXX (sajvala), Tranquil (prashanta), Marked
(salakshya), and Unmarked. MEASURE (matra)Another common technique of pranayama
is Measure (matra), the use of particular ratios between inhale, retention, and exhale. The most
common variety of Measure ration is 1:4:2; i.e., for every one count of inhale are four counts of
inner retention and two counts of exhale. This ratio is said to generate heat with concentration
on the navel; increase the flow of nectar with concentration on svadishthana cakra; and relieve
indigestion with concentration on muldhara cakra. Another ratio mentioned in the KP is 1:2:1.
The YCU (103) recommends a very odd ratio: 6:8:5, which it names Making OM (omkara)
pranayama.
INHALE THROUGH OPEN NOSTRILS/EXHALE VARIOUSLYPLEASANT GOING
IN both nostrils “with noise” > hold > EX both nostrils
(aka:vama gati FOUNDATION GOING, vartma gati). BENEFITS: overcome hunger, thirst, sleep;
achieve levitation (from HSC). SUGGESTEDMEDITATIONS during IN: on HAMSA (from HTK
10.31); on bija (seed) syllable VAM
CONQUEROR
IN both nostrils “causing a sonorous sound at the root of the throat” >
holdujjayiuntil sensation felt to “tip of hair and nails” > EX L. BENEFITS:removes disorders of
phlegm, dropsy, phlegmatic disorders of the throat, morbidity of the nadis, vitiation of humors
in the body constituents (dhatus), stimulates gastric fire
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
?IN both nostrils > hold > EX R. BENEFIT: strengthensgada (aka: shri gada)practitioner
BODY CHAIN
?IN both nostrils > hold > IN both nostrils > hold > repeat IN to capacity >svanga shrinkhlathen
hold > then EX both nostrils > hold > EX both nostrils > hold > repeat to completion of EX.
Should not be practiced without hamsa vedha?
ABSOLUTE
IN both nostrils > hold, mentally recite so’ham 15 times/minute > EX
both kevalinostrils (from GS)
UNTRANSLATED
sit in Fortunate (bhadra) > turn tongue upwards > IN both nostrils > hold
>tratakaEX both nostrils > adopt all bandhas. BENEFIT: purifies nadis (from JP 5.491-493)
POT KING
IN both nostrils forcefully > hold to capacitykumbharaja
BELLOWS
three versions in KP, a fourth from commentary on HP 2.64
1) rapidly IN <> EX both nostrils (like the “bellows of an iron smith”) until tired > then IN R > hold
with jalandhara B > EX L 2)
MIDDLE BELLOWS
: close L nostril, IN R > quickly close R, EX through open L > repeat several times, alternating
between L and R > then IN R > hold with jalandhara B > EX L3)
INTERIOR BELLOWS
two versions a) rapidly IN <> EX both nostrils until tired > then IN R > hold with jalandhara B > EX
both b) sit in Lotus (padma) > close L > IN <> EX rapidly through R. When tired, IN through R and
close both nostrils > hold to capacity > EX through L. Nostrils can be reversed 4)close L, rapidly
and forcefully IN <> EX R several times > then hold to capacity > close R, EX through open L >
rapidly and forcefully IN <> EX through L several times > hold to capacity > close L > EX R
INHALE NOSTRILS PARTIALLY CLOSEDPULLING TO AND FRO
two versions; only one listed, Raising (utkarshaka) not listed,
verykarshakasimilar to Pleasant Going
DRAWING DOWN
IN <> EX with both nostrils partially closed (alternative from HTK apakarshaka10.23-
24: IN <> EX through one nostril only. BENEFITS: breathing becomes prolonged and subtle,
breath retained without force)EXPERIMENTAL BREATHSIN both half open > a) EX both opena) EX
R open b) EX L open
INHALE/EXHALE THROUGH ONE NOSTRIL
INHALE/EXHALE THROUGH SAME NOSTRIL ??? sit in a pleasant posture (sukha?), IN R > hold
(from top of hair to toenails) > EX R. BENEFITS: brain is purified, diseases
destroyed INHALE/EXHALE THROUGH ALTERNATE NOSTRILS (RIGHT FIRST)
SUN PIERCING
sit in Thunderbolt (vajra) > IN R with a “friction” in the throat producing a surya bhedana“sonor
ous” sound > hold to capacity > EX L (add from HTK 10.31: while meditating on a luminous solar
disk like that of the sun at noon in summer,situated at the navel; from the JP: meditate on the
sun blazing brightly in the heart). (aka: LOTUS, kamala; RIGHT TURNING WHEEL, dakshina varta
cakra). BENEFITS: produces heat in the body, removes disorders of vata in abdomen, disorders
of heart and throat, purifies frontal sinus
FIRE
???IN R (agni) > hold > EX L (shoma), then reverse: IN L > hold > EX R.
This agni shomaequals one round
GUIDED PROCESS
quickly IN R > hold > IN L > hold. EX in same order. Also can
bekrama netrareversed (vyutkrama “inverted order”)
GUIDE
IN R > hold > IN L > hold > repeat sequence until complete. Can also be done in netrareverse or
der. Repeat order on EX. INHALE/EXHALE THROUGH ALTERNATE NOSTRILS (LEFT FIRST)
MOON PIERCING
opposite SUN PIERCING (add from HTK 10.32: meditate on nectar chandra bhedanaoozing from
full moon of an autumn night, situated in the sahasrara) (aka: LEFT TURNING WHEEL, vama
varta cakra). BENEFITS: cools, nourishes the body

EXCITING JOY
IN L > hold > EX through both kumuda
THREE EYED
IN L quickly > IN R quickly > hold > IN both nostrils > hold > EX. tri netra (name of
Shiva) BENEFITS: gives three-fold siddhis
CHANNEL PURIFYING
sit in Bound Lotus? (baddha padma) > IN L > hold > EX R, then nadi shuddhireverse: IN R > hold
> EX L. BENEFITS: purifies energy channels, gives good health, inner subtle sound is
heard SUGGESTED MEDITATIONS for nadi shuddhion IN L meditate on half moon, pure, full of
nectar, located at confluence of three nadis at ajna cakra (from JP); gaze at nose tip, visualize
“harmonious orb” of moon, silently repeat bija mantra VAM (from VS) on EX Rmeditate on
flashing fire element, silently repeat bija mantra RAM (from VS)on IN
Rmeditate on full moon with millions of rays at ajna, also sun at navel
(from JP); meditate on luminous disk of moon, like an ocean of nectar and white like milk (from
YCU)
WAVE
short IN <> EX, first through one nostril, then the other (YRah)lahiri
INHALE/EXHALE THROUGH MOUTHTRIDENT
IN through nose and mouth simultaneously > hold > EX trishula
CROW BEAK
IN over the tongue formed into a tube > EX through open nostrils.
Should kaka cancuka be performed for 80 rounds. BENEFITS: removes hunger, thirst, fever (alter
native: press teeth together > hold with upturned tongue > EXthrough open nostrils. BENEFITS:
practiced for six months, gets rid of disease and overcomes premature death)
SEET [SOUND] MAKING
turn the tongue upwards > IN through mouth making a
hissingsit kari sound (seet) > hold > EX through open nostrils. Concentrate on the pressed
tongue. BENEFITS: contributes to all the accomplishments(siddhi), with this practice the
practitioner becomes handsome, controls hunger, sleep, laziness, disease; enjoys the multitude
of powers
COOLING CROW BEAK
form mouth like crow beak > IN > hold, raise tongue and
tastesit kari kaka cancukaflow of nectar > EX through both nostrils. BENEFITS: practicedfor a
month gets rid of heat due to exertion, disease, and overcomes premature death ???
sit in Hero (vira), raise tongue and bring it slightly outside > IN across tongue > bhuyaGgamahold
> EX across tongue. Apply all bandhas, gaze at nose tip (from JP 5.487-490)???place the tongue
near to but not touching front teeth, form mouth like crow beak and draw in air. BENEFITS:
overcomes fatigue, fever ?? ?turn tip of tongue back in throat, form mouth like crow beak > IN.
BENEFITS: practiced for six months, practitioner becomes a poet
HOLD BREATH AT/MOVE BREATH TO SPECIFIC AREAS IN THE BODY

EXERCISES WITH MAJOR VAYUS

MOVING THE SELF

IN > hold > move prana through all the parts of the body jiva cala
DEER
hold breath (apana) at front of sacrum > apply mula B and concentrate on thatmrigaregion
EQUAL
hold breath (samana) at navel and concentrate on that region. BENEFITS: helpssamanaattain
uddiyana B, increases gastric fire, controls hunger and thirst
COVERING
“draw the breath in through the whole body” > then hold breath by contracting
thevyana whole body “with subtle concentration.” BENEFITS: immunity from cold, removal of di
sease EXERCISES WITH THE MINOR VAYUS
SERPENT
FUNCTION: eructation, i.e., belching. Swallow air slowly like a bit of rice > holdnagato
capacity with jalandhara B > EX through throat. BENEFITS: control hunger and thirst
TORTOISE
FUNCTION: blinking. Control blinking of eyes in a posture, become “perfectlykurmasteady” like
a “log of wood,” no movement anywhere (aka: trataka). BENEFIT: attain steadiness of vayu and
mind
KR-MAKING
FUNCTION: hunger and thirst. Just before a sneeze, rub index and
ringkrkarafingers with thumb. BENEFIT: controls sneeze
GOD-GIVEN
FUNCTION: yawning. Just before a yawn, close mouth and push air
downdevadattathroat. BENEFIT: controls yawn OTHER VISUALIZATIONS
UPPER
IN > hold breath from heart up to crown uttara
ADHARA
IN > hold breath from crown down to heart lower
MOST BEAUTIFUL
hold breath with progressive concentration on the throat, palate,krit shreshthamid-brow, and
crown and then maintain it there
ELEMENT PURIFYING
plug nostrils > hold breath in the six cakras sequentially bhuta shuddhi
UPPER
Afer EX > hold, visualize moon at base of spine, and “concentrate from place tourdhvajaplace
going along the spine”
[SUBTLE] SOUND
sit in Lotus (padma) > IN both nostrils and make sound of OM in low tonenadaand rising from n
avel through heart, throat, and ending at Brahman Hole (brahma randhra). BENEFIT: helps
prolong kumbhaka (from HSC)
VOID, EMPTY
EX both nostrils > hold breath outside, contemplate and absorb
nectar shunyakaoozing from Moon (from SauP 12.22-24)
THROAT
?? sit in Half Accomplished (ardha siddha: L heel under pelvis, R foot on Lkantha vetali thigh) > I
N both nostrils > hold in throat > EX both nostrils. Practice in summer. BENEFIT: afer 6 months
nadis purified (from JP 494-498)???between stomach and chest is a downward-facing Lotus,
through recaka turn it face up and meditate on it. This is the resting abode of the sun disk,
above which is the moon (vidhu) cakra, and above this is the triangular body of anala. Above
this (UNCLEAR ) is:
fourth state (kevala) five gaganasatma and brahma nanda ???in the center of the spine
where the head is supported, there’s a cavity from which white ambrosia secretes from the
moon. The moon lies in the sashasrara with a murmuring sound (vajra nadi).
BENEFITS: overcomes
death??? IN through both nostrils, fill the cavity (torso?) and hold at navel (BENEFIT: overcomes
disease), at nose tip (BENEFIT: helps control prana), at big toes (BENEFIT: body becomes light)
(cf VS 3.34).
Order? ??? Take vahni (fire, kundalini + prana) from “respective places,” condense it in the Heart
Lotus, then unite in Brahma Hole (brahma randhra) at the crown. BENEFIT: gain control over
vayus (winds), which then enter sushumna. Same result achieved by: control of EX; exhaling
vayu in navel through right nostril (surya nadi); practice of samadhiTHREE RELATED
VISUALIZATIONSON THE VISUALIZE, COLOR, LOCATION (ELEMENT) IN padmayoni (LOTUS WOMB
) brahma, red, navel (fire)vishnu, dark blue, navel
(brhadyogiyajnavalkyasmrti)hold vishnu, dark blue, lotus of heart (air) brahma, reddish yellow,
heart (brhadyogiyajnavalkyasmrti) EX shambhu (Shiva), ----, forehead (water) ishvara, spotless
crystal, forehead (brhadyogiyajnavalkyasmrti)