SWARA YOGA
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- The word SWARA in Sanskrit, means sound or musical note; it also means the continuous flow of air through one nostril. And we all know that YOGA means union. So Swara Yoga is the science which is about the realization of cosmic consciousness, through awareness or observation, then control or manipulation of the flow of breath in the nostrils
- Swara yoga is an ancient tantric science which involves the systematic study of the breath flow through the nostrils (or Swara) in relation to the prevailing phases of the moon, time of day and direction. Although we think of ‘pranayama’ when we think of techniques associated with the breath, in Swara yoga, it is the association of the breath in relation to the activities or phases or positions of the sun, moon, planets, seasons, time of day, with the physical and mental conditions of the individual and then taking the appropriate action according to these subtle relations. For example, knowing the moon phases and checking the flow of your nostrils before you get out of bed in the morning and letting the corresponding foot be the first to touch the floor and make the first step, is a simple practice that ensures success in everything that happens for that day. The first foot to touch the ground will get the prevailing ‘successful’ flow of energy from the cosmos.
- Swara yoga is an ancient science existing since before the Vedic period, over ten thousand years ago. It was a secret science, only available for the select few, especially kings and dedicated sadhaks. It was kept as a closed secret by the ancient sages and saints who had intuitively received this knowledge from the Divine.
- Through the knowledge of swara yoga one can become free from all kinds of negative influences of one’s destiny and can achieve heightened awareness. The swara yoga practices related to breath were used to understand the governing forces of life, to understand the nature of the universe and the effects of the elements on the body and mind by observing the different patterns of breath. Further, it was used to go beyond the limitations of the mind.
- SOURCE
- Swara yoga is a tantric science coming from the Agama Shastras and from Shaiva Tantra, where Lord Siva is the guru and Shakti is the disciple She asks questions about nature and the governing forces of the universe. Lord Siva gives this precious knowledge of swara yoga to Shakti. Other tantric traditions also existed such as the Surya tantra, Ganapatya tantra and Vaishnava tantra. Today only two tantric techniques are commonly available, Saiva and Shakta tantra.
- The fascinating thing about Swara yoga is that just by being aware of the swara (dominant nostril) in relation to the environment, you can manipulate the results of what you are about to do. In other words, you can find out which will be the successful route and then follow
as simple as checking your nostrils before setting out of the house, noting the direction you wish to go in and then choosing the appropriate foot with which you will make your first step, to ensure success and positive outcomes for everything that follows thereafter.
- Swara yoga is about the effect of nasal breathing on our body and mind through the right nostril, (Pingala Nadi) and left nostril, Ida Nadi) both nostrils (Sushumna Nadi). The different patterns and nature of breath indicate the active elements (Panch Mahabhutas ie. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether) in our psychic body. In Swara yoga, practices are connected with the flow of Nadi in a systematic pattern with moon phases, Sun and other planets. Elements are connected with different planets in different nasal flows.
- TITHIS
- When a planet affects earth’s gravitational field and electromagnetic field it will alter human energy patterns in the psychic body on a feedback basis. This can be experienced as a change in the flow of our breath. Swara yoga identifies these as different elements. In order to balance and harmonize these subtle forces, Swara yoga gives an easy and effective tool – The time and cycle of breath. The cycle of breath is based on the lunar tithis (Moon’s position at different times).
- Tithi is considered as the first phase or portion (Kala) of the 16 phases of the Moon. The 15 days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis of the Shukla-Paksha or Waxing Moon (brighter phase) when the moon becomes fuller and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha waning Moon (darker phase) when the moon becomes darker.
- In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are:
- :1. Pratipada. 2. Dwitiya. 3. Tritiya. 4. Chaturthi.
- 5. Panchami. 6. Shashthi. 7. Saptami. 8. Ashtami.
- 9. Navami. 10. Dashami. 11. Ekadasi. 12. Dwadashi
- 13. Trayodashi. 14. Chaturdashi. 15. Purnima / 30. Amavasya.
- In Swara cycle right nostril becomes active during Krishna paksha on tithes Pratipada,(1) Dwitiya, ,(2) Tritiya, (3) Saptami, (7) Ashtami, ,(8) Navami, ,(9) Trayodashi, ,(13) Chaturdashi, ,(14) Amavasya,(15). Thereafter Ida and Pingala function alternately in a 1-2 hour cycle throughout the day until at sunset the left nostril begins to function on the specified days. On days 4, 6, 10, and 12, of the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) the left nostril flows at sunrise and the right nostril at sunset. During shukla paksha we see the reverse. At sunrise of the first 3 days, the left nostril flows and during sunset right and the same alternate manner it goes on up to the full moon.
- Benefits of SwarA Sadhna
- Scientists have postulated that external forces set the biological clock by stimulating the pineal gland, which is affected by dark/light cycles. These rhythms which were previously known to the ancient Rishis, so man is actually only rediscovering himself in relation to the cosmos. By the practice of Swara yoga, one can become the master of the Nadis and elements, so as to adjust himself with the universal forces which are the source of everything that gives birth to the experience of both material and spiritual life with heightened awareness.
- By properly practicing Swara yoga, directly under an adept one can definitely achieve success in all spheres of life.
- MORNING SWARA SADHANA
- There are some important applications of swara yoga, which can be used in daily life to save the vital force and to avoid negative influences in daily life. These are: 1. When you get up early in the morning, check your nostrils for the flow of breath. Then touch that side of your face with the hand corresponding to which nostril is active. For example, if the right nostril flow is stronger, then touch the right side of the face with your right palm. Keep your eyes closed, if the right nostril is active at that time, then face north or east.
- If the left nostril is active, then face south or west. Then in the right nostril visualize the sun, and feel that ray which is coming from the sun entering through your heart. Feel the presence of cosmic energy. If the active nostril is left, then visualize the same process in the full moon and that moonlight is coming and entering in your heart. Then keep your both palms together in awahani mudra and open your eyes and look first at the root of the index finger of the side which corresponds to the active nostril. Then, visualize the different deities and their powers resting in your palms, and imagine that their cosmic energies are coming into you and making your internal energies positive and favorable.
- Morning Mantra
- Karagre vasate lakshmi, karamadhye saraswati,
- Karamooletu govindam, prabhate kar darshanam
- Before putting the feet on the ground: chant this mantra
- Samudra vasane devi, parvatashtal mandale
- Vishnu patni namastubhyam, paada sparsham kshamasvame
- visualize three eyes devi as mother earth in yellow clothes or yellow squire Put that foot on the ground first, which corresponds to the nostril which is flowing – if right then right foot first.
- Few applications of Swara Yoga
Fighting wars, Overcoming enemies, winning friends
Gaining wealth, prosperity, and popularity
Winning favor of king
Knowledge of past, present & future
Achieving sound mental, physical & spiritual health
Swara in Daily Life
Journey, eating, exercising, working, excreting, sleeping
For Yoga & Meditation
3 Types of Swara
There are 3 main swara, Ida Nadi or Left Swara (Nadi is the flow of pranic energy in the body), Pingala Nadi or Right Swara and Sushumna or third Swara.
Ida / Lunar / Left Swara – The breath through the left nostril
Ida Nadi located on the Left side of the spinal Cord
It represents the Moon / female Shakti (Energy) principle
Left Swara is associated with Mental Activities, Parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation)
Connection to the right hemisphere of brain
Left Swara is considered to be Auspicious, smooth & virtuous
Fruitful results when Left Swara is active on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday.
Pingala / Solar or Right Swara – The breath through the right nostril
Pingala Nadi located on the right side of the spinal Cord
It represents the Sun / Male Shiva(consciousness) principle
Right Swara is associated with Pranic activities (Physical activities), Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response/stress response)
Connection to left hemisphere of brain
Right Swara is considered as Rough, non-virtuous
Right Swara gives fruitful results Sunday, Saturday, Tuesday
Activities according to swara yoga
Acts to be performed when Left Swara is Active
All auspicious acts
Stable, permanent actions
Purchasing jewelry, clothes, journey etc
Construction of house
Offices, temples etc.
Marriages, religious rights, peaceful work
Treating incurable diseases
Acts to be performed when Right Swara is Active
Extreme tantra techniques
Meanest & worst actions
Drinking wine, destroying enemies
Sensual pleasures
Work requiring extreme dynamism
Physical work
Solving mathematics
Eating, Public speaking,, Studying, Learning
Third Swara “Sushumna”
Located Center of the spinal cord
It represents “Shiva” (pure consciousness) in the state of “So-Ham”
Sushumna is said to be active when Left & right swara flows together
No worldly action recommended, work gives no result
It indicates non attachment to the mundane things
While third Swara is active Meditation recommended
Rhythms of Swara
Each Swara (Left and Right) Alternates in 60 Min – One Swara is active for about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the individual, and after that 2nd Swara starts flowing, this cycle continues during day and night.
These Swara Activities are related to Moon phases
Sunrise timing is crucial – Generally for healthy people, the Swara should change at the time of sunrise and sunset.
Lunar / left Swara
Active during 1st 3 days of a bright fortnight at sunrise
Right/solar Swara
Active during 1st 3 days of a dark fortnight at sunrise
Readjusting the Swara
Close active nostril with the finger or cotton wool
Inhale through active nostril & exhale through inactive
Apply pressure to the armpit of the active nostril
Lie down on the same side of the active nostril
Cold bath or hot water changes the Swara
Food consumed changes Swara
Chilli, ginger – Solar/right Swara
Yogurt, bananas – left / lunar Swara
Rate of breath
Swara Indication – Physical & Mental activities
Common Cold – common cold indicates dominating Left Swara, which indicates cold. One can change this dominating left swara to right swara and cure the common cold or other diseases.
Acidity – if the Right swara dominates, it indicates the person will suffer from either acidity or fever. Right Swara is Hot in nature.
Swara Yoga is still an unexplored area and a lot of scientific research needs to be carried out before all facts and the exact relation between Swara and physical and mental activities are known.
Difference between swara yoga and pranayam
Scientific research
Span of life depends on breathing patterns. Each one of us is born here with his or her allocated stock of breath.
If we breathe deeply to consume an adequate amount of oxygen at a consistent pace at a slower-than-average rate we can enjoy a longer and healthier life span.
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