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Lesson 128 - Siddhasana and Pressure in the Head  (Audio)

From: Yogani
Date: Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:14pm

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?"

Q: Thank you very much for that illuminating discourse on the "left" siddhasana and "right" padmasana; my experiences with these two asanas are fully in tune with what you have described. I notice that while sitting in siddhasana for more than 1/2 hour, there is an intense pressure that builds up in the head (kind of like the same pressure one feels in the head while doing Mulabandha)- is there something I can do lessen the intensity of this pressure? I am wondering if one can use a prosthetic aid at the perineum while sitting in padmasana itself; this seems to me that it would confer the benefits of both siddhasana and padmasana together?

A: I'm happy you found the lesson helpful. To balance the pressure in the head, make sure you are doing spinal breathing. Also do sambhavi along with your mulabandha and siddhasana. Ultimately you will have kechari too, which plays a big role in the new biology in the head. All of these will help the rising energies find balanced spiritual functioning.

There will be certain adjustments in the head as the spiritual biology comes up. I call them "growing pains," and sometimes we just have to heal our way through them. I had occasional soreness in the brain stem (medulla oblongata), and coming forward through the third eye. It is all ancient history now (it became ecstatic bliss), and it will be for you too. If it gets uncomfortable, just back off the mudras, bandhas, and kumbhaka and give it a rest. It should heal up in a day or two. It is a lot like athletic conditioning, taking ourselves gradually to new levels of capability we did not have before. Use self-pacing and don't overdo it. If discomfort in the head is chronic and unaffected by changes in practices, seek medical advice.

In a week or two we will get into dynamic jalandhara, which will put everything from the heart to the head in high gear. So hang on to your hat.

On the combined padmasana/siddhasana prosthetic approach, I have not tried that for any length of time. Since this is science (seeking the best applications of knowledge), and you thought of it, why not give it a try and see how it goes for you? Obviously, you will want to gauge it so as not to overdo the energy flows.

I wish you all success.

The guru is in you.

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Note: For instructions on siddhasana, see the Asanas, Mudras and Bandas book.  For detailed discussion on building a stable practice routine with self-pacing, see the AYP Eight Limbs of Yoga book. Also see AYP Plus.

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