Advanced Yoga Practices
Main lessons
by Yogani
Note: For the Original Internet Lessons with additions, see the AYP Easy Lessons Books. For the Expanded and Interactive Internet Lessons, AYP Online Books, Audiobooks and more, see AYP Plus.
Lesson 173 - Spinal Bastrika Cycle Time
New Visitors: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first lesson is, “Why This Discussion?”
From: Yogani
Date: Mon Apr 26, 2004 4:28pm
Q: Thanks for your lesson on bastrika, the fast vigorous spinal breathing pranayama. Kindly just mention what should be the ideal number of bastrika breaths per minute. Also, I am doing bastrika for about 5 minutes. Is this ok?
A: The bastrika pace is like a dog panting comfortably. No cycle time is ideal. What is comfortable for you is ideal. Sometimes it will speed up or slow down by itself. The nervous system knows what it needs. Go with it as long as it does not become uncomfortable.
Five minutes of spinal bastrika is much too long starting out. If you are new to this practice, do only two minutes until you know your experience in practice and daily activities is smooth. Then you can inch your time up, monitoring your experiences along the way. You may wish to review the lesson on spinal bastrika again.
Wishing you much success in your practices.
The guru is in you.
Note: For a detailed overview on building a daily practice routine with self-pacing, see the Eight Limbs of Yoga Book, and AYP Plus.
These lessons on yoga are reproduced from www.aypsite.com