With the following simple exercise one can easily acquire a large quantum of Prana and use it for any desired purpose:
Choose a solitary quiet place for this exercise. Spreading a mattress on plain floor, lie down flat on it on your back with face turned upwards. Let the legs, waist and head be in a straight alignment. Now keep both hands on the Surya Chakra. (Surya Chakra lies at the junction of the rib-cages below the chest. It is one amongst the six loci of energy storage located in the body). Lightly close lips and relax the body totally, as though it had become inert and is beyond your control. After sometime, continued thinking about relaxation will gradually make the body loosened.Now slowly breathe-in, mentally pronouncing the following affirmation with firm conviction. (Let the affirmation be associated with a conceptualization- an imagery, corresponding to its words.): “Along with the air, I am also breathingin pure Prana energy from its omnipresent great cosmic reservoir. This energy is circulating with the blood stream of my body and passing through the nerves and arteries, collecting in the Surya Chakra.”
Let the depth of imagination be so strong that there forms a clear imagery in the mind of Pran energy entering through nostrils as a luminous current of electricity, flowing through the nerves, arteries and blood circulating in the body and accumulating in the Surya Chakra. The quantum of Prana energy acquired in this manner will be proportional to the depth of imagination.
Fill the lungs fully with the air being inhaled and retain the air in the lungs for a few seconds. For the beginner, it would be sufficient to retain the breath for five seconds. After some practice, one may gradually increase this interval to ten seconds. While retaining the air conceptualize the presence of Prana energy accumulated within the body.
Now exhale through the mouth. In course of exhalation visualize that all blemishes, harmful bacteria and toxins are being expelled (as a dark smoke), by the Prana energy present in the body. After exhalation, hold the breath for ten seconds.
The above exercise comprises one cycle of Pranayam. Depending on one’s convenience and requirement, one may repeat this exercise as many times as desired. It is again emphasized that the prime factor for attracting Prana energy in this exercise is the strong conceptual visualization, creating a clear imagery of entrance of Prana through breath during inhalation, its circulation and accumulation in the body.
To begin with, this exercise is carried out for ten minutes. Later, the period could be gradually increased to half an hour. The emphasis should be on the conceptualization of Prana energy being accumulated in the Surya Chakra. Thinking about expulsion of Prana with air during exhalation would render the entire exercise futile.
If this exercise for attraction of Pran is carried out methodically, the Surya Chakra becomes activated. When it happens, on closing eyes, a tiny glowing spark of light is seen at the Surya Chakra – at the hollow space in the stomach at the juncture of rib-cages. In the initial stages, this circular glowing image appears small and hazy but with practice it becomes distinct, clear, larger and brighter. On closing eyes, individuals who had been practicing for a long time see the Surya Chakra immediately, appearing as bright as sun. This luminous element seen in the body is not a product of imagination. It is factually a manifestation of Prana energy accumulated in the Surya Chakra. While undertaking difficult tasks this energy produces miraculous results.
On rising up after completion of Pranayam the exerciser finds blood circulating in the body at a faster rate. It appears as though the entire body has been charged with some sort of electricity. After completing the exercise, it is advisable to relax at a quiet place and have a light snack of some pure vegetarian food or drink. Taking up some strenuous work, bathing, eating meals or engaging in sex after Pranayam are prohibited. Early morning is the best period for performing Pranayam.
Akhand Jyoti Magazine Sept Oct 2013