Notes and Thoughts on Spinal Breathing Pranayama -

Journey to Inner Space by Yogani (Kindle Page

Numbers)

Yogani's simple approach and expression puts everything on the table

from the very beginning. His gentle, easy going style opens this
advance pranayamic practice to everyone.

His approach fits right in with the gradual pranayama tradition. In

fact, I would venture to say he is the most laid back pranayama
teacher out there. No durations, no counts, no amounts, no pressure:
"Come as you are and practice what you can," sums up his teaching
style.

Self-pacing is one way in which Yogani supports and encourages the

practitioner. Instead of setting outrageous practice parameters or
insane sequences of breathing, he begins with a really simple starting
point and then moves on to give the reader room to extend their
practice at their own pace and ability. There is no pressure, no
deadline, no anxiety.

Another facet of his teaching that makes it accessible to others is its

simplicity. He starts with just a very basic breathing and visualization
technique and only later adds to them in order to amplify and support
what has already been established.

There will be those who see the simplicity of his practice as being, too
basic, as if, because it is not complex it is "obviously" not spiritual
enough for them. That's okay, there are plenty of other authors out
there for them. For those who wish to start or even keep their practice
as "simple and stable" as possible, this is a good book for you.

The information Yogani gives regarding the signs, symptoms, and

consequences of Spinal Breathing actually applies to pranayama in
general. In saying, i hope to deter the reader from assuming that the
many gifts Yogani talks about in his book are somehow only
connected to Spinal Breathing. The gifts Yogani talks about can be
found in alternate nostril breathing, Qi Gong and Martial Arts
breathing, Tai Chi and Daoist breathing, or just a steady awareness of
our natural, soft and deep breathing.
I give this book five stars not because he is the only one that shares
this technique, but because i feel his teaching style will help the
practitioner approach pranayama in a more open, soft, gradual, and
relaxed way. Couple Yogani's text with Donna Farhi's, The Breathing
Book and Thich Nhat Hanh's, Breathe, You are Alive!, i feel the yogi
will gain the right attitude and energy to best approach pranayama.

As always, if you plan to buy this book or anything for that matter on
Amazon, please use my Amazon Associate's link by clicking on the
book image. This blessings me with a few pennies on everything you
buy. Thank you for your support. Be Blessed.

All that is, is "an expression of prana" (3 Kindle Format)

Primary objective of pranayama

Cultivating inner silence

Ecstatic Conductivity
Facilitating Enlightenment

Prerequisites for Practice

Breathe
Think
Visualize
Regular practice

Steps to Spinal Breathing

Sitting comfortably with upright spin

Breathing through the nose
Bringing attention to the breath
Even breathing
Slowing down the breath
Deepening the breath
 Imagine a thin thread like nerve going from the root to the third-
eye (ajna)
On inhale visualize energy going from root to ajna and on
exhale from ajan to root
Opening and allowing spontaneous movements this is the
energy doing its thing
Rather than force through inner resistance we simply pass by it
and move on. This allows the energy to slowly dissolve the
blocks rather than ripping through them

Practices that deepen spinal breathing

Basic asanas and exercises

Yogic breathing
Bandhas
Eye lifts with breathing to further stimulate ajna
Bringing awareness to the cool rising current and warm
descending currents

Two things spinal breathing promotes

Stimulating the energy to help with purification so as to make

these bodies able to enter inner silence and experience an
influx of energy which in turn invites blissful experiences
Helping to balance the body and mind
Some things that can happen as we become more pure and
open
Sweating
Digestion changes
Sudden energetic jolts
Heavy panting
Quick breathing or stoppage of breathing
Automatic yoga movements and breathing patterns
Changes in consumption habits: reading, watching, eating,
conversation, etc
Shifting of mental attitude
Intense energy sensations
Hot or cold flashes
Extreme emotional experiences
Visions
Deepening experience of energy expanding and becoming more
refined
Experience of deep, "profound stillness"
Direct insights and intuition
Voices (deeply within us or from external energies and
intelligences?)

Quotes from YouTube Interview

"Loosens and opens up the nervous system [...] making it more
receptive to energy flow"

"Prana is the movement of the consciousness, or sub-consciousness"

"Prana is the first vibration coming out of the unmanifest

consciousness"

"Pass over those areas we are stuck"

"We favor the practice. We don't force the practice"

Body jumps arise when "energy builds up and then releases all at
once"

Purification is much like peeling an onion where we keep "coming to

deeper levels"

"Save analysis for after" the practice "Just keep practicing"

Nervous system is "The Gateway to the Divine"

Working with pranayama can give rise to a delayed affect

"Create a balance between rising ecstatic energy and inner silence"