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The Art of Personal Sādhana

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    antar kumbhaka

    Devanāgarī: अन्तर् कुम्भक Translation: internal retention Opposite words:bāhya kumbhaka Related concepts:antar, kumbhaka, prāṇamaya

    Appears in


    Click here for complete Saṃskṛta Index

    Commentaries around

    6. Ancillary Support Practice Techniques

    Antar Kumbhaka
    – Holding after Pūraka

    “When intending to use  Uḍḍīyana Bandha don’t
    hold the stomach area tensely just after inhaling,
    or if using Antar Kumbhaka, just before exhaling.
    In choosing working ratios concentrate on those
    emphasising the exhale and the Bāhya Kumbhaka.”
    – 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

    “In Practicing the Tri Bandha we engage with Haṭha teachings:
    In that, the inhale takes the Agni towards the Mūlādhāra.
    This effect on Agni increases with the Antar Kumbhaka,
    as the Antar Kumbhaka helps to intensify the fire.
    Following this process in bringing the Agni down,
    the exhale takes the Mūlādhāra towards the Agni.
    Thus the exhale draws the Apāna towards the Agni,
    plus adding Uḍḍīyana Bandha holds the Apāna up.
    This is the link with the effect on the Kuṇḍalinī,
    though in terms of practice, very hard to get.
    Here also, the coming down period is important.
    For example, do not eat just after, though you feel hungry.
    Uḍḍīyana Bandha is a heating process and Madhura Rasa,
    such as sweet rice cooked with milk is initially recommended.”
    – 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

    “One primary prerequisite to initiation into a Tri Bandha Sādhana
    was an ability in Prāṇāyāma within a Vinyāsa Krama around
    Nāḍī Śodhana where the crown was 12 breaths at 12.12.12.12.
    Thus, before being taught Uḍḍīyana Bandha,
    an essential precursor to Mūla Bandha,
    there needed to be competence in sustaining Prāṇāyāma,
    within a Vinyāsa Krama leading to a crown ratio of 1.1.1.1.
    with the Pūraka, Antar Kumbhaka, Recaka and Bāhya Kumbhaka
    each set at 12 seconds in a crown of 12.12.12.12. for 12 breaths.
    Thus, a Vinyāsa Krama peak of almost 10 minutes sustaining the crown
    ratio within a Prāṇāyāma practice, with the entire practice itself totalling
    over 20 minutes, all performed with one technique, Nāḍī Śodhana.
    This technique alone is already in itself demanding to sustain with
    an inaudible softness, as if pouring oil slowly and smoothly amidst
    an almost undetectable deftness of finger movement on the nostrils.
    A further example of how there needs to be an effortless skill in working
    with the Kumbhaka and how our fluency with all four components of the
    breath sets a practice direction and evolution in that, amongst other goals,
    it determines our readiness to incorporate the Tri Bandha into our Sādhana.”
    – 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

    “Bhāvana for the Breath in Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma
    – Pūraka – Lifting from the Viśuddhi Cakra
    – Antar Kumbhaka – Expanding from the Anahāta Cakra
    – Recaka – Contracting from the Svādhiṣṭhāna Cakra
    – Bāhya Kumbhaka – Sustaining from the Mūlādhāra Cakra”
    – 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

    “When using the Antar Kumbhaka to lengthen the breath,
    always factor in its effect on the length of the exhale.
    It should be able to stay the same length and quality.
    If it is affected, change the length of the Kumbhaka,
    rather than compromising the flow of the breath.”
    – 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

    Link to Related Posts:

    • Prāṇāyāma & Bandha Practice Techniques Glossary
      – Grouped into Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Techniques
    • 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers
    • Āsana & Mudrā Practice Techniques Glossary
      – Grouped into Standing, Kneeling, Lying,
      Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting
    • An example personal practice from 2002 from TKV Desikachar……
    • cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 2 – Self Planning & Self Practice
    • cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 3 – Self Planning & Self Practice
    • cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 4 – Self Planning & Self Practice
    • Deepening our relationship with Prāṇāyāma deepens our relationship with Āsana……
    • Studying, Practicing and Learning the Tri Bandha involves Theory, Techniques and Cautions…
    • The breadth, depth and potential of Desikachar’s teachings on practice……
    • Though there are many different aspects to formal ‘home’ practice……
    • Viniyoga Vignette 1 – Antar and Bāhya Kumbhaka in Āsana
    • Viniyoga Vignette 2 – Combining techniques in Prāṇāyāma
    • Viniyoga Vignette 2 Commentary on – Combining techniques in Prāṇāyāma
    • Viniyoga Vignette 3 – Śītalī and Anuloma Ujjāyī Prāṇāyāma within Āsana
    • Viniyoga Vignette 4 – Combining Prāṇāyāma within Āsana
    • Viniyoga Vignette 5 – Introducing Uḍḍīyana Bandha within an Āsana practice

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    Related

    This glossary with its similar, opposite and related concepts categories, supplemented by textual references and additional commentaries around the key word, is a both work in progress and constantly ever-expanding in terms of further cross-references, textual cross links and commentaries.
    As it continues to develop your comments and suggestions on your experience and how it may be enhanced are very welcome via this link, thank you.
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