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

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Kaye,

Thanks for your question. Paramhansa Yogananda thought well of both Energization and Hatha Yoga. Although I am not aware of his having made a statement such as you mention, either orally or in print, I can offer a few facts:

1. The only comparison I know that he made is in a recording, in which he says, "The tension [Energization] exercises are better than the asanas." (He emphasized "better.")
2. Energization is a cornerstone of his teachings, and he urged all his disciples to practice it. He left it to his disciples to practice Hatha Yoga if they felt benefitted by it, but he didn’t urge them to practice it.
3. In The Essence of Self-Realization, Swami Kriyananda quotes the Master as having said: "Hatha Yoga is a wonderful system. The body, moreover, is a part of our human nature, and must be kept fit lest it obstruct our spiritual efforts. Devotees, however, who are bent on finding God give less importance to the yoga postures. Nor is it strictly necessary that they practice them."

One clarification: Energization is not so much about achieving a particular energy flow as it is about drawing into the body a lot of energy, gaining an ever-clearer, ever-deeper awareness of energy, and bringing that energy under your direct control. Certainly Hatha Yoga practice can do much of that as well.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Hello Marjorie,

Different yoga traditions use different terminology, and sometimes different meanings for the same terminology.

Before I explain more, let me offer a clarification: Many people reserve the word "pranayamas" for breathing techniques, as opposed to its broader, and truer, meaning: energy-control techniques. Well, for this discussion, let’s use the narrower meaning of breathing techniques.

Nayaswami Gyandev

Ananda Village

Answer

Dear Caz,

While I cannot give you a definitive answer as to exactly what those voices are, I can offer some thoughts for you to consider.

First, are the voices are pleasant or unpleasant? If pleasant, then embrace them, enjoy them. They might be angel voices, a sign that you have entered into a deeper-than-usual state of receptivity. If the voices are not pleasant, then call strongly upon God and offer the experience to Him/Her, with the prayer, "This comes from you, and I offer it back to You. If it’s not good for me, please guide me as to what I should do about it. If it’s good for me, please show me how to relate to it, that I may absorb the blessing."

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.