PRANAYAMA                                                 PRANAAL2.TXT
      ************************************************************************
      Pranayama (literally control of breath or prana) is often performed 
      prior to meditation. 
      It has innumerable forms all based on the concept of prana which is both
      oxygen and a more subtle energy simultaneously tapped through pranayama
      practice. In addition to its more spiritual aspects, specific pranayama
      practices can be chosen for their benefit to particular diseases. 

      The practice of pranayama is used in preparation for meditation, as
      it has the effect of quieting and clearing the mind, and awakening the
      subtle and spiritual energies. Of course, few if any of these claims can
      be scientifically proven other than through the personal endeavors and
      experiences of the practitioner. As the adage states, "the proof of the
      pudding is in the eating".

      One of the most common and beneficial pranayama practices is the
      alternating breath. This is especially beneficial before meditation to
      calm the mind, or when having trouble failing asleep at night. It works
      on the principle that the right and left nostrils correspond to the
      right and left hemispheres of the brain, as well as to the channels of
      the spine (ida, pingala, and shushumna) mentioned earlier. 

      [There is a whole system known as swar yoga, which is based on this
      principle, and allows people to perform all daily functions at the time 
      of maximum potential, depending on which nostril (and therefore brain
      hemisphere) is predominating.]

      The method for alternating breath is as follows:

      First, with your right hand you should place your thumb on the right side
      of your nose, and either the index or middle finger on the left side of
      the nose. 

      Close the left nostril with whichever finger you are using and inhale
      through the right nostril. 

      Hold the inhaled breath for a count of four by plugging the right 
      nostril.

      Open the left nostril and exhale through it. 
      
      Now reverse the process,

      Inhale through the already opened left nostril, 
      
      close the left nostril 

      hold the breath for a count of four, and open the right nostril and exhale through it.

      This is considered one "round", and you should do ten rounds at one
      sitting.