“My understanding of Prāṇāyāma is that the Kumbhaka should be an aid.
The aim is to get a feeling difficult to put into words, but different from normal states.
The question is how much does Kumbhaka play a part in this?
So Investigate the use of Kumbhaka and only use it when it helps you be with the breath.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“Do not make a style or fashion out of Kumbhaka.
Only use it if it helps you feel the breath and
what is happening inside the body.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“If I had a student I would give more respect to the exhalation.
The course would be based on the observation of the exhalation in Prāṇāyāma and Āsana.
This would give the type of Prāṇāyāma and for which Āsana.
One should see what is the response of the exhalation in the posture or when sitting.
When fixing Prāṇāyāma, even if you are reducing the length of the exhalation,
if any problem then the cycle should be completely changed.
One must give respect to the exhalation.
One can get an idea by the position of the stomach.
One should keep 2/3″ in hand on inhalation and exhalation.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“We are welcome to use Kumbhaka,
but if it in any way affects the quality of the inhale or exhale
and our own relation with this flow, then there is no meaning.
The tragedy of Kumbhaka is that we can use force,
as in Āsana, to achieve our aim.
But why and at what price?”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“One should inquire onto one’s habits.
Good or bad.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
1. Know the Breath from the feelings in the Āsana.
2. Choose a ratio close to that used in Āsana.
3. Choose a technique to suit the day.
4. Choose a proper posture for the spine.
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“One must give food according to the stomach.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“The more one teaches,
the less time you have for yourself,
the more mistakes you make.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“By observing how the breath responds in Āsana i.e.
Forward Bends.
Backward Bends.
Lying Postures.
Inverted Postures.
Twist Poses.
As to whether there is a better quality in either inhalation or exhalation,
one can decide how to proceed in Prāṇāyāma.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“One should practice and
inquire into the effects of the practice
as well as the practice.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“We must discover why we practice.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“The test for intelligent effort is the response of the breath.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“Begin your practice from where you are,
finish your practice where you are going.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978
“Of the Four Aspects of the breath which is more important,
(such as) holding after inhalation by will and so on?”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978