September 13, 2013 by sathishk

Inner Engineering – Isha Yoga (Part 1)

This is first post of I don’t know how many more in the series. In recent times I was getting
bored of doing weights in gym. My body is not reacting to heavy weights as it used to before.

There was time till a year ago when I was not in favour of Yoga practise, for no reasons
known. Now about 2months ago when I wanted to explore this area which I have never
ventured into, I checked with few friends and colleagues. That is when a colleague of mine
recommended this program of Inner Engineering by Isha Yoga (Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev).

In recent time I went for the Inner Engineering course from Isha Yoga. In this course they
teach one Shambhavi Maha Mudra which emphasizes on getting the body, mind, emotion and
energy together focus as one.

There are few steps in this, the first part is the preparatory exercises and the second part is the
actual kriya itself.

There are three preparatory exercises:

1. Pathang asana (the butterfly)
2. Shishubala asana (rocking child)
2a. Right leg
2b. Left leg
3. Nadi vibhajan

Exercise 1 and 2 has to be done for 2mins and 3rd has to done 3times.
The main focus area of these exercises is to strengthen the base of spinal chord.

Now the second part starts which is a 5step process. To do this one should sit in Artha
Sidhasana, which is sitting with left lower foot pressed firmly towards mooladhara. :
1. Reverse U-breathing. Start and end with exhalation from left nostril. While breathing from
one nostril the other should be closed. 6mins
2. A-U-M chanting. This starts with ‘A’ from little below navel, ‘U’ from chest & lungs, ‘M’
from throat with closed mouth. One can feel the vibrations inside. 21times.
3. Rapid breathing or rabbit breathing with head slightly up and focus on junction between
the eyebrows. 3mins.
4. Bandas which is neck, diaphragm and anal locking with fullest and with emptiness.
Depends on how long one can hold his/her breath.
5. With head slightly up and focus between the eyebrows, normal breathing. 5mins.

In all the entire kriya is for 21mins. Basically there are three importants steps in pranayama
1. Pooraka (Inhalation)
2. Rechaka (Exhalation)
3. Kumbhaka (Retention)

In kumbaka there are two types, again Antar kumbhaka (holding the breath after inhalation)
and Bahya kumbhaka (holding the breath after exhalation).
That is what is used here with minimal effort and simple steps. One needs balance of body,
stability to sit through for 21mins which is where the preparatory exercises help.

Benefits of the program:

1. Increase in cellular energy levels
2. Healing of physical ailments & enhanced immunity levels
3. Healing of psychological disorders, accompanied by emotions such as peace, joy and well-
being
4. Neurological changes in the brain
5. Genetic transformation
6. Expression of extraordinary abilities like materialization and levitation

Note:

I have only mentioned the steps above and how it should be done. I cannot do so since
am not a teacher. Its is better to learn from teacher than to learn through books.

For further reads and research articles:

1. Article 1
2. Article 2
3. Article 3
4. Article 4
5. Article 5

Books if you still look for one:

1. Book 1
2. Book 2

Await Post 2 “What happens in 7 days” and post 3 on “What is the real secret”.

 
o My Doubt:

After inhalation, we make 3 locks (first Anal lock, second Stomach lock, third
neck lock with chin touches the chest). here we hold this as long as we are
comfortable, then bring our head in normal position, Exhale 1st and then
immediately making three locks, hold as long as we are comfortable, now
inhale-1st, then release Stomach lock-2nd, and release anal lock-3rd.

Is this right ? (or)

After inhalation, we make 3 locks (first Anal lock, second Stomach lock, third
neck lock with chin touches the chest). here we hold this as long as we are
comfortable, then bring our head in normal position, Exhale 1st, Release
 Stomach lock 2nd, then Anal lock 3rd. Now Exhale and do the 3 locks – Hold
for some time – the releasing 3 locks.

Which is correct, Please explain, this will help me lot in practice.

Thanks.

From: “Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, dar�ber muss man schweigen” To:
maruthikr@technip.com, Date: 11/14/2013 03:49 PM Subject: [New
comment] Inner Engineering – Isha Yoga (Part 1)

sathishk commented: “at both stages you need to lock your neck, stomach and
abdomen muscles! next is relaxed breathing with head slightly up.”

o sathishk | November 14, 2013 at 2:41 pm

yes. you are correct!

o MaruthiKumar Rangarajan | November 14, 2013 at 3:04 pm

Thank You Very Much.

From: “Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, dar�ber muss man schweigen” To:
maruthikr@technip.com, Date: 11/14/2013 05:12 PM Subject: [New
comment] Inner Engineering – Isha Yoga (Part 1)

sathishk commented: “yes. you are correct!”

o MaruthiKumar Rangarajan | November 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm

Thank you.

Can you Pl confirm the sequence.

Sequence-(A):

Inhalation–making 3 locks & head down–HOLDING–head to normal position

& release only Neck lock–Exhalation & keep other 2 locks as locked–put
Neck lock & head down–HOLDING–head to normal position & release only
Neck lock—Inhale–Releasing other 2 locks (stomach & then anal) . Sequence-
(B):

Inhalation–making 3 locks & head down–HOLDING–head to normal position

& release only Neck lock – Exhalation – Release Stomack and Anal lock–
 Make all 3 locks again & head down–HOLDING–head to normal position &
release only Neck lock—Inhale–Releasing other 2 locks (stomach & anal).

Which one is correct Sequence – (A) or (B) ?

Thanks in Advance

From: “Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, dar�ber muss man schweigen” To:
maruthikr@technip.com, Date: 11/14/2013 05:12 PM Subject: [New
comment] Inner Engineering – Isha Yoga (Part 1)

sathishk commented: “yes. you are correct!”

 H | January 4, 2014 at 1:03 am

Could you please describe how to perform Nadivibhajan and also confirm which sequence,
described in the above comment, is correct?

Reply

 anand | January 7, 2014 at 9:36 pm

Dear Sathishk, it is best to refer people who have doubts to people who are trained to correct
the practice. the description you are giving above is not correct itself. so you will be
confusing people as to how to do the practice.
isha has a great support system for people if they need any help with their practices all around
the word.

for all who have any doubts, you can get in touch with a volunteer in your area, who will
support you: just check here:
http://www.ishafoundation.org/ContactUs

pranams