Ask Ananda’s Experts
Questions and answers about meditation, yoga, the spiritual life, and more

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

Since you specifically cite two quite demanding asanas, I am guessing that the sound you’re hearing is related to elevated blood pressure due to exertion and (perhaps) irregular or nonexistent breathing during the asanas.

(It happens to me, too, in those asanas, and sometimes also in other physically demanding asanas.)

Nayaswami Pranaba

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Som,

One of the most effective techniques for the abdominal chakra (manipura chakra) is Uddiyana Bandha — Stomach Lift. There are some strenuous versions of Uddiyana Bandha, but in the Ananda Yoga approach, it’s done gently, and usually with the breath held out.

Here is the technique: As you finish an exhalation, lightly engage your abdominal muscles, smoothly and gently squeezing in toward your spine. Hold your abdomen in for as long as is comfortable. When you need to inhale, relax the abdominal contraction and let your belly expand with the inhalation.

You’ll also find in the Energization Exercises that Paramhansa Yogananda taught, a variation on the above technique.

Blessings on your spiritual journey.

In divine friendship,
Nayaswami Pranaba

Tyagini Dharmadevi

Ananda Los Angeles

Answer

Dear Karin,

Thank you for your question. I believe it depends upon you and whether Energization Exercises leave you feeling more inward and ready for meditation — or yoga postures do.

Do the one that feels most inward right before you start your meditation. Either way, doing both Energization Exercises and Hatha Yoga before your meditation is incredibly beneficial! Great work!

Love,
Dharmadevi

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

I’m very glad that you asked this question, because it’s quite possible to go seriously wrong in pursuit of a straight spine — in asana practice, or in life generally.

When yogis say “straight spine” (synonym: neutral spine) they mean a spine in its natural curves: inward curve in the lumbar spine (around waist level), outward curve in the back of the chest, and inward curve in the neck. We want to have such a straight spine at all times — in asana practice, in meditation, in life generally — unless we are deliberately bending the spine one way or another.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

Ananda Yoga practice is about raising awareness, and for that, working inwardly with the life-force is key. If a muscle is "burning," you will be preoccupied with the physical (regardless of whether the breath is smooth). This will diminish your awareness of the life-force — and hence your ability to work with it. Consequently you will be less able to raise your awareness through the practice.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

Yes, it is indeed an enjoyable technique. The exact nature of the experience can vary from person to person, and even from time to time with the same person. So don’t be surprised if yours changes at some point.

There’s no minimum length of practice (even just one breath is good). As for the maximum length, it’s more about monitoring the effects than the time. Some people hyperventilate with too much double breathing; don’t continue the technique if you begin to feel light-headed. Also, because the technique moves a lot of energy, there can be times when too much double breathing makes you feel agitated, irritable, or anxious; that’s a sign to stop.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Cyril,

What’s happening to you is quite common, and it is usually related to blood pressure. People with low blood pressure are especially susceptible, but it can happen to anyone. A sudden reversion to the upright position can cause a significant lowering of blood pressure in the chest and head, a shift that’s more than the body’s circulatory system can compensate for gracefully.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Isa,

The reason for this caution is to avoid putting excessive pressure on the lower abdominal region during menstruation. For some women it might make no difference, but for others there can be discomfort. So poses such as Dhanurasana (Bow), Salabhasana (easy version of Locust), and Mayurasana (Peacock) should be avoided. Uddiyana Bandha (stomach lock) should be done gently, if at all.