swara yoga- the ancient science of breathing

8/18/2019 Swara Yoga- The Ancient Science of Breathing

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Swara Yoga: The Ancient Science

of Breathing

The Sanskrit word swara means sound or note. It is also a continuous flow of

air through one nostril. Yoga means union, so Swara yoga is a science, which

is realization of cosmic consciousness through control and manipulation of

breath.

Swara Yoga is the science, which is a complete study of observations, control

and manipulation of breath or Swara. Pranayama is only related to the

control of breath in various ways. In Swara yoga, you will find association of


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breath in relation to activities of sun, moon, other astral bodies, seasons,

physical and mental conditions of individuals etc. So Swara Yoga is more

comprehensive in theory and practices related to breath.

Applications of Swara Yoga as Per Sanskrti Text “ShivaSwarodaya”

Swara yoga is useful while initiating any action starting from waking up in

the morning, having bath, eating, involving in different works, mental

activities, physical activities etc. Swara Yoga touches all parts of human life.

Applications of Swara Yoga

Swara Yoga can be used in winning friends and overcoming enemies

Swara Yoga can be used to gain wealth, prosperity and popularity

Swara Yoga can be used to gain nowledge of the past, present ! future

"chieving sound mental, physical ! spiritual health

Swara Yoga is very helpful in #aily $ife while e%ercising, eating, sleeping,

working etc.

Types of Swara

There are & main swara, namely

Ida 'adi or $eft Swara ('adi is flow of pranic energy in body)

Pingala 'adi or *ight Swara

Sushumna or third Swara.


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Ida Nadi or Left Swara

It refers to the breath through the left nostril and is located on the left side

of the spinal cord. It represents the moon, the female energy or Shakti

principle. It is considered to be auspicious, smooth and virtuous. The $eft

Swara is associated with mental activities, parasympathetic nervous system

or rela%ation.

It is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain. It is connected to the

left hemisphere of the brain. It is considered as rough and non virtuous. It is

active during the bright fortnight (+ days starting from ne%t day of no moon

to full moon day). -ne can gain fruitful results when $eft Swara is active onednesday, Thursday, /riday and 0onday.

The active 1odiac signs during $unar flow are tauras, cancer, virgo, scorpio,

capricorn, pisces. hen the $eft Swara is active, one should perform all

auspicious, stable, permanent actions such as purchasing 2ewellery, clothes,

going on a 2ourney, construction of house, office, temple, marriages,

religious rights, peaceful work, treating incurable diseases etc.

Pingla Nadi or ight Swara

It refers to the breath through the right nostril and is located on the right

side of the spinal cord. It represents the sun, the male or 3onsciousness

principle. The right swara is associated with Pranic activities (physical

activities), sympathetic nervous system(fight or flight response or stress

response).

Its dominance can be felt during the dark fortnight (+ days from the ne%t

day of full moon to no moon). *ight Swara gives fruitful results Sunday,

Saturday, Tuesday and the 1odiac signs active during the Solar flow are

aries, a4uarious, libra, 5emini and Sagittarius.


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*ight Swara is considered as rough, non virtuous so one can perform

inauspicious tasks such as e%treme tantric techni4ues, mean actions, wars,

sensual pleasures, captivatind women etc., successfully during this period.

6esides these, one can also perform physical e%ercises like working with

dynamism, and mental activities such as solving mathematics during this

period as it is linked with the consciousness principle.

Third Swara “S!sh!"na”

It represents 7Shiva8 (pure consciousness) in the state of 7So9:am.8 It is

located at the center of the spinal cord. The Third Swara or Sushumna issaid to be active when the $eft and *ight Swara flow together. 'o worldly

action is recommended during this period as work gives no result. Sushumna

indicates non9attachment to the mundane things. 0editation is

recommended when this Swara is active.

hyth"s of Swara

;ach Swara ($eft and *ight ) becomes active alternatively. ;ach Swara isactive for about + to +. hours depending on every individual on individual,

and after the second Swara starts flowing, this cycle continues during day

and night. These Swara "ctivities are related to 0oon phases. 5enerally for

healthy people the Swara should change at the time of sunrise and sunset.

The $unar < $eft Swara is active during the first three days of bright fortnight

at sunrise. The Solar < *ight swara is active during the first three days of the

dark fortnight at sunrise.

ead#!sting the Swara

3lose active nostril with finger or cotton wool


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Inhale through active nostril ! e%hale through inactive

"pply pressure to the armpit of the active nostril

$ie down on the same side of the active nostril

3old bath or hot water changes the Swara

/ood consumed changes Swara

3hilli, ginger = Solar < right Swara

Yogurt, bananas = left < lunar Swara

Swara Indication $ Physical % &ental activities

Common Cold:

3ommon cold indicates dominating $eft Swara, which indicates cold. -ne can

change this dominating $eft Swara to *ight Swara and cure the common coldor other diseases.

Acidity:

If *ight Swara dominates, it indicates the person will suffer from either

acidity or fever. *ight Swara is hot in nature.

Swara Yoga is still an une%plored area and lot of scientific research needs tobe carried out before all facts and e%act relation of Swara and physical and

mental activities can be established.

swara yoga- the ancient science of breathing

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