How do we know that we are progressing with Pranamaya?

Question

I have been doing pranayama everyday 15times in the morning (holding breath by reciting pranayam mantra for 40 seconds) in the evening as well. I felt heat energy in the lower back and feeling sensation in between eyebrows.

From this, how this would be progressed. I have been doing everyday.

In Srimath bagavatham, it is mentioned that within a month doing 3 times daily Morning, afternoon, evening (10 times purak, kumbham, rechagam), we can realise and win the breath.

Comments

The Yogic view of health is exemplified in Shvetaasvatara Upanishad where it is said that the first signs of entering Yoga are lightness of body, health, thirstlessness of mind, clearness of complexion, a beautiful voice, an agreeable odour and scantiness of excretions

The Hathayoga Pradipika reiterates these qualities “Slimness of body, lustre on face, clarity of voice, brightness of eyes, freedom from disease, control over seminal ejaculation, stimulation of gastric heat and purification of subtle energy channels are marks of success in Hathayoga”.

In the Patanjala Yoga Darshan we find an excellent description of the attributes of bodily perfection (kaya sampat). It is said in Vibhuti Pada that perfection of body includes beauty, gracefulness, strength, and adamantine hardness  The effulgence that is  characteristic of good health is also mentioned when it is said that deep concentration on samana (energy of digestion) leads to radiant effulgence.

Answer 1

Dear Sriram,

I apologize for my delayed reply.

You are performing well this naada anushandan pranayama.

Your question does not clear as to whether you are also practising pranayama - naadhi shudhi/ shodhan pranayama, naag pranayama, vibhagya pranayama do you perform. I presume that you are inhale from both nostrils and then chanting followed by retention of breath. This also holds good.

Pranayama basically purifies naadis and as soon as this purpose is fulfilled, we feel many positive changes like clarity in eyes, slimness in body, happiness on face. Among many pranayamas, naadhi shuddhi pranayama offers good result in terms of purification. And this process speeds up, if it is accompanied by two or more of the shatkarmas (yogic cleansing actions) like kapalbhati, jala-neti, kunjal nauli, dhauti or basti.  If you would like to have high spiritual experiences with pranayama, one should not forget the helping effects of our thoughts which should be positive and not distracting during our sadhana. Also, yogic diet plays an important role - sattvic diet.

So, I would recommend you to practice naadhi shodhan pranayama first without any retention of breath for 15 days and then slowly come to the retention process by 1:1:1 (purak:kumbak:rechan) and then, 1:2:2 and later on, 1:4:2. But you should proceed in this direction only if you are not suffering from cardiac issues and/or high blood pressure.  Alongwith it, I would also recommend to practice some meditation to get cumulative effects.

I hope that this would suffice. You may feel free to write for further clarifications or other questions on your practices, I will be happy to discuss and help you accelerate in your spiritual journey.

Answer 2

Lower type of pranayama generates perspiration, medium one cause tremors and superior one causes levitation.  Proper practice of pranayama alleviates all the diseases as it causes purification of nadis. When nadis are purified, the external signs certainly seen are slimness and lustre of the body.  As a result of this purification, one is able to retain the breath longer, increase in bodily fire and manifestation of the internally aroused sound and feeling of well-being.