Swara Yoga

1. Swara Yoga Ref: “Shiva Swarodaya” (Original Sanskrit Text) “Swarayoga” – Swami Muktibodhananda under the direct guidance of Swami Satyananda Yoga Vidya Gurukul yogapoint.com

2. What is Swara Yoga? • Ancient, closely guarded, esoteric science • Origins in the Tantras • One text – ‘Shivaswaroday’ – dialogue between Shiva & Parvati • Swara – continuous sound • Science of breath, prana, its rhythms, movements and patterns • Talks of relationship between prana and cosmic prana • Science of Siddhis or ESP

3. Science & Swara Yoga • Body – Dynamo with infinite electrical currents • Kirlian Photography & Prana • Breath – controls many autonomic & voluntary functions • Nose – Peripheral organ of the autonomic nervous system

4. Prana & emotions • Thoughts and prana travel through the breath. • Emotions affect the breath. • Examples -

5. Advantages of Swara Yoga • Fighting wars, Overcome enemy, winning friends • Gaining wealth, prosperity, popularity • Winning favor of king, • Knowledge of past, present & future • Achieving sound mental, physical & spiritual health • Swara in Daily Life

6. Left nostril Ida nadi Mental energy Moon Cold Female Right brain Relaxation Considered auspicious Right nostril Pingala nadi Physical energy Sun Hot Male Left brain Stress response Hard, tough, not so virtuous Swara or Nostrils

7. Left All auspicious acts Stable, permanent actions Purchasing jewelry, clothes, journey etc Construction of house Offices, temple etc. Marriages, religious rights, peaceful work Treating incurable diseases Right Extreme tantra tech. Destroying enemies Sensual pleasures Work requiring extreme dynamism, physical work Solving Mathematics, Eating, gratifying senses Meanest & worst actions Acts to be performed

8. Third Swara Sushumna • Center of the spinal cord • Shiva in So-Ham • Left & right swara flows together • No worldly action recommended, work gives no result • Non attachment • Meditation recommended

9. How nostrils work? • Nostrils change every 1 to 3 hours, from left nostril for 1 to 3 hours to right nostril for 1 to 3 hours again to left • A healthy rhythm, is 1 ½ hours. • Linked with the sun and moon phases. • When both nostrils are active – Sushumna nadi is active

10. Daily Schedule • Get up before sunrise for better physical and mental health. • Waking – check which nostril is most active and move that side first. • Yoga & exercise • Eating food • Mental work – left nostril • Physical work – right nostril • Sleep • Travel • Shopping • Enjoyment – parties, movies, get together

11. Interactions & Relationships • Left nostril – peaceful and friendly • Right nostril – aggressive and forceful • Relationships & nostrils

12. Food • What you eat affects swaras or nostril rhythms. • Right – proper hunger and digestive stimulation. • Left – depressive – can increase or decrease hunger in an unnatural way. • Cold – milk, banana, curd, guava (stimulate left) • Hot – spices, ginger, garlic (right)

13. How to change the nostrils. • Anuloma Viloma / Alternate nostril breath for 10 – 15 min. • Place cotton wool in left nostril to block it – turns on right nostril. • Hand under left armpit and press for 5 min to turn on right nostril. • Sleep on left side to turn on right nostril. • Same nostril breathing will turn the nostril on.

14. Health • Can predict and prevent disturbances in health. • To maintain health, balance the nostrils. • Stress – balance both the nostrils • Depression & anxiety – activate more right nostril • Anger & aggression – activate left nostril • If a cold is coming – left is more active. To prevent it activate right. • Migraine – change nostril. • Heatstroke – switch on left nostril.