Praanaayaama Diary 12/31/18

Praanaayaama diary: 12/31/18. Slowly, I have built back a strong Praanaayaama practice rekindling my ashram days. Back then it was 24 minutes “AV” Anuloma Viloma, & 90 minutes asana. “Practice happy, build it slowly.”

My baseline this month was 24 mInutes AV and then four little 4 minute AV practices WOFHOW. (Without fail, hell or high water.) 16 days this month I got in a double 24+24. Things start to get pretty trippy at this level, but the good kind of feeling: sharper attention and memory, increase in articulation. I started adding in the AV Flow this month which makes it doubly double intense. (1 minute AV flow=2 mInutes AV.)

Yesterday, I tested the boundaries. 36 in the early am AV flow, 20 minutes leading a class in AV flow, 30 minutes more in photoshoot AV flow with Belinda. Plus multiple small practices.

Yes, that is the boundary for me right now. It feels like an alchemical transformation factory inside. Fireworks without the gun powder. A strong desire to purify on every level arises. Purification is the only way to shift into what this practice calls for. Breath burns up what is impure: food, thoughts and habits.

The boundary is when irritation starts arising. The signs of too much are clear. Then it is time to stop. “Practice happy, build it slowly “ is the first rule.

I am telling this to you because most people do yoga but don’t really understand what a Praanaayaama practice is.

No wonder Swaamee Kripalu said “Praanaayaama is the soul of yoga. It is yoga itself.”