“Anubhūta is the change that
occurs in one’s state of mind
when it is related to external objects
through the involvement of the senses.
This is also known as experience.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 11

“In this Sūtra Patañjali states that there are two ways
to discipline the five types of mental activity.
They are Abhyāsa and Vairāgya.
Abhyāsa is practice.
Vairāgya is to disconnect or sever the link
between the Citta and external objects.
These two, Abhyāsa and Vairāgya,
always go together as a pair.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 12

“According to my teacher,
trying to calm the agitations of the mind by reflecting on external objects
is like trying to get milk from the wattles hanging from the neck of a goat.
All seekers of truth are therefore advised to focus,
instead, only on objects that are in the realm of the divine.”
– T Krishnamacharya commenting on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 35

“Before launching on Antar Aṅga Sādhana,
one should be a Niṣṭhāvān in Bāhya Aṅga Sādhana.
If this earlier stage is very well established,
then only a teacher may teach Dhyāna.”
– T Krishnamacharya 1984

“Ere to our Yoga Sādhana turning inwards towards engaging
the Antar Aṅga and the Ātma–Buddhi relationship,
we are advised to first turn outwards towards engaging
the Bahya Aṅga and the Manas–Indriya relationship.”

“According to Krishnamacharya,
one who has not mastered the Bāhya Kumbhaka,
has not mastered the breath.”
– TKV Desikachar 1988

“Moving into the posture after the exhale (Bāhya Kumbhaka) is an adaptation.”
– From study notes with TKV Desikachar England 1992

“Explore the Antar Kumbhaka with a soft holding.
Explore the Bāhya Kumbhaka with a firm surrender.”

Postural Practice Pointer 2 –  Jumping and the Bahya Kumbhaka
“Jumping should be soundless and always on the Bāhya Kumbhaka or pause after the exhale.”

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

Links to Related Posts:

Deepening our relationship with Prāṇāyāma deepens our relationship with Āsana……

Though there are many different aspects to formal ‘home’ practice……

viniyoga Vignette 1 – Antar and Bāhya Kumbhaka in Āsana

viniyoga Vignette 5 – Introducing Uḍḍīyana Bandha within an Āsana practice

The breadth, depth and potential of Desikachar’s teachings on practice……