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Tantric
practices: How to channel the sexual energy for better health and longevity
and higher consciousness One of the most powerful natural transformative means we
have at our disposal is via the sex energy. Deep energetic openings have their roots
here. Are you curious about the principles of sex energy? Would it interest you
to elevate your current level of consciousness and sexual potential? As the
title suggests the intent of this paper is to share insights and techniques to
provide readers with practical means to raise energy and explore sexual heights
to their fullest. How can sex energy be
fully tapped? The sexual force is the life force or the kundalini energy. It is a subtle energy that permeates the body, difficult to harness, let alone build without the force being expended or leaked; for this reason, awareness and discipline are necessary to channel its potential. As a man do you feel depleted when you release semen in sex? How long does it take to replenish this level of energy? As a woman do you feel that you’d like the act of loving to last longer? In this document you will find practices for men and women to promote higher spaces and consciousness in sex—also practices that do not require sexual relations and that contribute to rejuvenation and higher consciousness, and higher energy levels. The commingling of yin and yang (male and female) energy during sex has the potential to create an energy body greater than the parts. The very presence of ‘higher voltage’ or increased kundalini energy has the effect of promoting higher awareness, health and longevity in partners. If partners are practicing praanayam (regulating breathing so as to channel internal energies) and other energy-raising practices (such as bandhs, naulis, visualization and meditation), consciousness can be raised to great degrees during love-making. *See the supplementary exercises described at the end of this document. Sex energy is based on a cyclonic attraction between polar opposites (yin and yang, male and female energies). It is one of the primordial powers of the universe, analogous to the power and mystery of ‘gravity’ in physics. Just the very thought of sex evokes a tangible excitement in our being. It can raise our energy almost instantaneously and bring about palpable effects in our body. This fact suggests that the act of sex can be used as a sacred exploration, to deepen the feeling of excitement and adventure, to explore it authentically, to bring about a full-blown radiance. If the sexual excitement is cultivated and fed during the interplay of partners, then a kind of magic can occur. While holding the thrill and deep love for our partner and letting our energy bodies merge, it incites the magic combustion of fire on wood. Praanic energy can be multiplied and spread to every cell of the body. Even the smallest touch can result in a rare euphoria, a state of surrender. In the same way as when deep meditation is practiced over longer periods of time, sexual union can bring about pervasive transformation in sublime ways and create a space of lasting bliss as atoms get aligned in magical combinations. In understanding male and female physiologies and how their energetic channels function, sexual energy can be fully tapped. The potential lies in the male force being managed optimally. The explosive urge to discharge semen makes men prone to losing potency early during the love-making and pre-empting what might have been a higher and more fulfilling space. When the man’s life force (ojas) flows outward, his praan (energy) inevitably drops to a low. From an evolutionary standpoint, this is a phenomenon of the man’s body having first priority to replenish the semen as quickly as possible, to maximize impregnation for the next encounter. The quicker a man can impregnate a woman, the more chance of conception arises, because any number of things can happen during a long period of union (threat of attack, danger, predators, encounters with rival mates). Of course, we are not back in the saber-tooth tiger days, so this is less of a concern in our modern world. After the man releases, he inevitably sleeps, or loses the
urge to continue love-making or continue raising the kundalini energy. From a
woman’s perspective, if her energy has not been fully tapped, this can be
wholly frustrating. She does not get a chance to activate her shakti
energies and build her praan
and offer her gifts to her partner. Hers is an energy that activates slower,
but is yet more resilient and less volatile. When both partners have unfolded
their potential in the sacred dance, built their energy bodies, their sexual
union has the power to reach new heights. When both partners are open to exploring and practicing new methods
of how to prolong the act of love-making, they can learn how to better maximize
their gifts to each other. If both men
and women have the knowledge and vision to effect better sex, the practice may
bring many sustainable benefits—i.e. more powerful energy (auras) and
longevity, a natural result that comes through better channelling of sex
energy, like the art of praanayam.
Practice for men Men have no problem releasing their semen; their work lies in being able to hold their seed for longer periods, which allows for the woman’s kundalini energy to build and his too. How to do this? First, a slow start is a good idea. Starting the love-making with a realistic pace is a better strategy. Whenever the energy starts to build past a certain point, the man should let up on movement or rhythm or become still for a few moments. Mool bandh can be held continuously to prevent downward flow of energy (*mool bandh is the root chakra lock, see esoteric practices that follow). It is important that partners have an open line of communication (verbal or sensed) and he let her know that a limit is being reached and that she should ease up (movement, incitation, so that he is not over-stimulated beyond the point of orgasm). Release means the end of the experiment. When the energy is under manageable limits again, the play can continue until the next threshold is reached, then the man can hold back his semen again. This successive building and letting go, and holding mool bandh to prevent semen from releasing, reprograms the man’s pattern of quick release and leads to a build-up of energy during the love-making. With practice, the man can develop a sense of mastery over his semen and not have it master him. He can make love for a longer period of time without releasing fluid, thus focussing his attention on the higher spaces of building the praan. In the beginning this practice may appear difficult or even frustrating for partners...but even after one attempt at prolonging the love-making, the result can be so enlivening and sensual that it brings much more lasting pleasure and vitality. The goal of the practice is to be able to bring the energy as close to orgasm as possible, but to not let it go past, or at least not too often. A challenging exercise...as the tendency to release for the man can be at times overwhelming. The reward, however, is that better sex can result, more lasting energy and better satisfaction; multiple joinings per day are possible without loss of energy—and big energy boosts, including health benefits and longevity. Beings become more relaxed, they become more confident in their daily life, energetically attuned and radiating a kind of magnetism that is built from energy being cultivated in the body and rising up the spine to the higher chakras rather than flowing downward with fluid release. This same space can be achieved directly by the combination of abstinence (celibacy), and praanayam, a process in which the energy is channelled upward over a sufficient period of time. The best combination, in the authors’ opinion, is to practice all together (praanayam, regulation of vital energies, meditation and channelling of sex energy in whatever way). For the man, the latter channelling is a form of abstinence, in that efforts are made so that semen is not discharged, which is the real reason for putting energy into the practice described above. This technique may have to be practiced over a period of days, or weeks, months to gain proficiency—in the effort to overcome the tendency to release all in one gush. Even with a bit of regular practice the result is felt. Continued practice is the goal. If mool bandh is perfected then there is not the need to pause during lovemaking, and eventually mool bandh can even be dropped. Some people may argue that this does not sound like a joyful way to have sex... Ironically, some practical experimentation will reveal the fact that the feeling of lingering in the zone just at the edge of orgasm can be more pleasurable and energy-rich than the fleeting euphoria that follows release. A sense of heightened transcendence and transformation results from prolonging the state of sexual high, transmuting it into a more subtle place. This space created, has the ability to transform atoms, and lift the energy to be a source of great opening for partners. A practice that aids in limiting the amount of semen lost when release is imminent, is to gently but firmly apply pressure to the base of the generative organ, midway between scrotum and anus, with the first three fingers. In this way the seminal passages are blocked while the penile muscles spasm and the fluid does not pass—or at least a limited amount, thus avoiding the heavy post-coital feeling and inevitable energy loss that can occur. This is a practical alternative to a full release. In the midst of practicing, there will likely be slips. The post-coital feeling or petite morte as the French call it, can sometimes be experienced as depression or hollowness that results from the expenditure of the life force. It has also been described as a feeling of a ‘hole’ in the first chakra. For this reason, frequent release is to be avoided. Or, at least left to the final act of love-making, and then synchronized with the woman’s release or shortly thereafter. *It is interesting to note that professional athletes are warned by coaches not to indulge in sex before games. It’s a wonder that they’re not also taught to make love in a more holistic way, such as described above, to energize the body prior to athletic performance rather than become victim to a post coital feeling. The act of joining and
raising the energy to a new level has the power of lifting beings right out of
their minds. Great transformational potential exists, which, like meditation,
brings beings closer to their divine nature. Longer love-making sessions are to
be aimed for. The man, while being inside the woman, can practice completely relaxing without moving. In this way he becomes used to the heightened feeling of union, chakra to chakra with his partner. He can relax into it, smoothing out what would otherwise be an abrupt spike, triggering release. If the wave of feeling is too intense he can withdraw completely. After some time, he can start moving again and build the energy to climax, but not going past, then repeating the process of relaxing into the woman. Such a technique can be repeated as many times as necessary. In so doing, male partners develop strength in sex, cultivate endurance, and heighten the woman’s pleasure. Continued practice of relaxing facilitates the man’s movements and makes it easier for him to move freely inside the woman without feeling the need to release. Building energy in such way, pleases himself and her. With diligence he can approach the brink of ejaculation, and at ease, and enjoy all the euphoric sensations associated with release without losing semen. This is the closest a man can come to the female equivalent of ‘multiple orgasms’. It’s well worth the effort, as the perfection of this technique is a source of increased praanic power and ecstatic union. Women can also practice going to the edge of her orgasm, working with the man to hold up and relax into the union when energy starts to build past the threshold. She can thus gain mastery over her own release and work toward letting go of her fixation, thus letting energy rise upward. See orgasmic upward draw for women below. It’s a sovereign secret that the spiritual side of sex is to merge both beings into oneness and dissolve the ego. The higher transformation that occurs has everything to do with sparking the invisible field rather than exchanging liquids. Some quotes from “The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity” by Daniel Reid:
Practice for women Women, as receptors of energy, play a different role. When a woman understands how difficult it is for a man to control his ojas, she will have compassion for his volatility and work with him to develop his ability to channel his energy. This ultimately helps her channel hers. She discovers that what she needs to do to help him, helps her, and thus, both partners achieve a higher symbiotic state together. Women can arrive at orgasm and continue to have more orgasms
afterward without any problem at all, or noticeable loss of sex energy (*The exception is in some women after menstruation when iron
is low). This is a physiological power. Men are not privy to that luxury. They
get one chance. If they blow it, then better luck next time.
The natural cycle for full regeneration varies but can be as long as three
weeks to generate the same fullness of potential. So, there is great incentive
to make use of this potential. Thus, it pays off to exercise diligence during
sex. For women, the art of communicating with her partner is key, knowing how to be receptive to the man, how to turn the man on, but to be aware of not turning him on too much so that he loses his ojas. This awareness comprises a fundamental skill. This may entail women having to work on their need for, or fixation with, orgasm and their natural tendency to push the man over the edge. A woman can look at the love-making from a higher perspective. The overall experience can be a rich one, ready to be enjoyed again and again if both partners understand the nature of their physiologies and the roles they play. Partners can look forward to hours of play and continued pleasure if the right steps are put into place and the sexual power is harnessed—a process developed by awareness rather than need by partners over time. This could also entail the woman becoming aware of all the tantric nuances of the moment. For example, the space of the man’s energy level, her level of energy at the time, and the contact energy between them. Is he in a higher place? Do I need to let up on my movement or stop completely? Do I need to let go or give it my all? Do we need to sit in meditation for a while before we have sex? Do we need to lie still now, chakra to chakra, feeling our sensuality or visualizing each other’s energy bodies while entwined? It’s an art of becoming aware of all things, at all times. There are as many ways
of having sex as there are unique couplings. The ideas presented are more just
a way of being, a philosophy of having sex in a conscious way that centres on
ways of keeping the energy flowing upward, rather than downward, and to prolong
the lovemaking. The specific postures and art of foreplay are natural
extensions of heightened awareness and deepening trust, a moment to moment act of
co-creation. This could entail foreplay to expand or heighten the energy. It’s easier for a man to hold his semen if he works at a slower pace. In the same way, a woman becomes much more receptive and open with loving foreplay. If the woman gets too caught up in her own release in the heat of the moment she may jeopardize the man’s ability to hold it and retain his vital energies. Likewise, if he gets inundated with the pleasure feeling too early while moving inside the woman, he will lose his semen and will not be able to continue the love-making in the same way. In such cases, to facilitate a more energetic union, some pacts should be made between partners before lovemaking. For example, if the man decides that he does not want to release during the lovemaking, the woman should take care not to tip him over the edge with her orgasm. In this case she will need to withhold it completely as it is generally very difficult for a man not to ejaculate when the woman is in the midst of her orgasm. Rather than this being a frustration for her, she can develop her sexual potency during this period to enliven her own being and her partner’s by channeling her own energy upward. Of course, if the man is adept at holding his semen and this is not a problem, then the pact need not be made. The benefits of such agreements on the woman’s part outweighs any quick release from either party. A similar pact could be made from the woman’s side if she does not want to orgasm during the lovemaking, in which the man agrees not to over-stimulate her. Partner’s exploration of each other becomes an essential
and joyful co-creation in the tantric dance. It can evolve, deepen and even
change as synced with their natural contact energy in the moment. This requires
an agile sensitivity and intimate communication with one’s partner. Given the volatile nature of man’s energy and the deep receptivity of the woman’s there is a certain optimal dance that results in unfolding the maximum possible exchange between partners. This is a sacred dance: a magic of commingling, ‘tis our birthright, but also yet rarely explored to its potential. Some esoteric practices: Orgasmic upward draw for women, as described in Taoist texts, is a technique “by which women may direct the energy of orgasm inward and upward through the spinal energy channels, so that the sexual energy spreads to all parts of the body and into all the vital organs via the meridian network. Not only does this conserve energy and tone the organs, it results in a total body orgasm that only women are capable of.” The technique: “Sit and perform a few minutes of bellows breathing*. Then inhale slowly and deeply and hold maha bandh...(contracting anus (mool bandh), perineum and vagina, and applying neck (jaalundhar bandh) and abdominal locks (uddhiyaan bandh) as well). Then slowly exhale through the nostrils as one gently releases all locks and relax all muscles and visualizes energy moving up the spine. After practicing, and when some proficiency is gained, this can be practiced in actual sex before orgasm.” *See supplementary section on exercises following for detailed description of bandhs and breathing exercises. A woman may need to manage her compulsion to have the man release regularly inside her. This primal urge is born of a biological need to reproduce which will generally not allow partners to shine in their full energetic glory. When procreation is not the goal of sexual union, such compulsion tends to put undue pressure on the man to release, which may conflict with his practice of holding his ojas to attain a higher space of consciousness. If the man is okay with this, or is a master at holding semen, then this is not such an issue. Similarly, if he has an inexhaustible supply of ojas, then this is not a problem. But partners should take an honest look at whether this is true or not. As Sun Ssu-mo’s advice goes (and a reminder of what has been mentioned earlier), men should take care regarding ejaculation:
This passage specifically cites the dangers to longevity and health, but also indirectly includes the hit to the vitality of the energy (praanic) body, which is this paper’s focus. A man’s praanic potential can become compromised when he indulges in
the pleasure of release repeatedly, a fact compounded perhaps by a woman’s
craving for his seed inside her and his need to please her. Thus, the man may
have a double hurdle to surmount with the help of his partner. Frequent discharge changes the space in his body,
weakens the backbone at the lower spine, resulting in a grosser level manifestation
into semen (liquid) rather than air (space/energy). The man’s sexual aura shines brightest when he has raised his energy past the navel point. This builds ojas rather than letting it flow downwards into semen. Similarly the woman’s energy gets built when the praan rises past her navel into higher chakras; which in turn, has the power of raising her partner’s energy, or vice-versa. However, there is the bonus she has of being able to orgasm without noticeable energy loss. *At times after having orgasm, she may lose the urge to keep up the sexual pace and excitement in the same way, so this is something to observe. If either party is too attached to their orgasm then the sex energy will not rise past the navel to its fullest potential. This results in the man’s early release and premature end of the love-making process, and the magic praanic space that could arise. From the woman’s side, this results in tipping the man over the edge, or her dominating the space around her needs and creating stress in the love-making process. A slow build of energy and trust (letting go) is favoured; also, application of the proper techniques and working with the physiological limits of man and woman. Conclusions Men and women operate in different ways during sex; they play different roles in activating the kundalini shakti. Yet the height of union is the same if the proper techniques are applied and full opening takes place. It’s safe to say that the two main hindrances for raising sexual
energy revolve around the male orgasm: —when the man excessively indulges in his
own orgasm. —when the woman desires the man’s orgasm
beyond his means. If partners deepen their understanding of each other through their exploration and practice, more scope is there to enliven the kundalini and raise energy during union. The other factor that promotes sexual openings is cultivating positive emotions towards partners such as appreciation, affection, attention, acceptance and allowance. These are matured and conscientious responses to fear, attachment, control and entitlement. (see How to be an Adult in Relationships, The five keys to mindful loving by David Richo). Also to consider are proper diet, moderate eating, unblocking energy and expanding praan through regular exercise can also facilitate greater openings. These practices combined with greater awareness, stillness, open and authentic communication, meditation and praanayam techniques can set the stage for partners achieving higher spaces.
When energetic bonds build between partners, there can also be a tendency for the deepest traces of shadow to emerge, which when worked through with compassion, can become a bridge to deeper, more ecstatic union. These shadow issues can include control issues, jealousies, power struggles, taking a partner for granted, any number of irrational behaviours, or extreme emotions. These are often tempered by honest and open communication between partners and working on one’s shadow with the loving support of one’s partner. One successful sexual opening can lift a person out of their shadow side for a period of time. As one vibrates at a higher frequency, this results in a more powerful of self which assists in burning the deepest layers of conditioning (or sanskaar). By understanding these principles of tantric yog, working together, and following some of the practices and exercises outlined here, partners can enhance their sexual experience, bringing them closer to the experience of enlightenment. It’s the authors’ hope that these insights and techniques will provide useful means to raise energy and explore the sexual heights to their fullest and most of all, bring joy to the practice! Contributors: C. Turner & S. Montford: Chris has been devoted to a practice of meditation for many years which has guided his creative life path in teaching, visual arts, music, writing, computer science and more recently to the calling of empowering others to shine in their uniqueness. Suzanne follows a path of aliveness. She lives and teaches Yanumoja Yoga, a tantric/shamanic practice of tapping into one’s inner wisdom to inspire life direction and authentic expression. The next section focuses on specific practices which can aid
in the development of higher consciousness and enlivening the act of sex. *Sections on Praanayam,
Naulis and Bandhs are taken
from unpublished writings of ‘Revelations on the unfoldment
of God Consciousness through Spiritual Practice’ by Swami Shyam. Supplementary
exercises for men and women. Here are some esoteric practices which practiced daily can aid in heightened sex energy: Visualizations
It’s not just in the physical act of sex that we can build our sexual aura. We can do it in formal meditation or any space of visualization. A person can build the potential between his or her partner at any time. If the quality of feeling and heightened awareness is created in the visualized act, a person can bring the higher feeling with one when one’s having sex. It’s a practice which benefits both partners... There is more to sex than a physical joining of bodies as many can attest. The physical side is only on the surface. The actual coalescing or mixing of male and female energies makes up the major part. It’s interesting to note that the same sensations and sexual high that occur in real sex can be stirred in dream. Upon waking from an intense sexual dream, for example, one remembers intimately what happened. One wonders what can be done consciously with this power of visualization without a physical partner. When a man and woman with high polarity are in close proximity, for example, the energy can be so high to raise their kundalini energy. In the same way, strains of ‘sex’ can happen with clothes on if a person of developed visualization channels their attention. This channelling of excitement and imagination is what brings partners closer together in the first place. It can be made a practice, by creating the same feeling while sitting in meditation, for example, and holding the thought of sex or potency and excitement in the consciousness. As a prelude to sex, for example, even as a supplementary exercise, partners can visualize themselves having sex, raising kundalini in their own bodies. They can visualize one’s aura with a large powerful circumference also. These visualizations can aid, and any other creative ones, practiced in a formal sitting posture or in the space with a partner. Such channelling helps build the power of intent and prepares the beings for actual joining. It can propel partners on to a higher path than just a physical joining—more a merging of the consciousness into the absolute, which opens the heart and lifts the energy into higher realms, while transforming the body at a cellular level. Visualization gains power when the image, feeling, or
energetic manifestation can be held in the consciousness for a longer period of
time, and invariably without interruption. This power is developed through
meditation. A technique is given in the Patanjali Yog Sutras: Dhyaan or meditation is the effortless flow of attention on one object,
space or vibration. Meditation, then, is given as a formal means for manifesting visualization fruits: holding the thought or image in the mind and bringing the attention back to the object (image) if the mind wavers. Any creative image or visualization bringing energy or power or concentration or connection is worthwhile. The more personalized the image, the more attractive is the draw toward the image and generally the deeper we go. So creativity is encouraged. Praanayam Holding the breath
in and out is an ancient art that builds vital energies (ojas), strength in the body and sexual energy.
Benefits: promotes longevity,
balances the energy in body and allows kundalini
to rise. Brahmaree: The humming breath
Benefits: joy arises
in the head and heart’ the mind becomes unwavering and established in the Bliss
of the Absolute Space. Kaival kumbhak
Benefits: Kayval kumbhak is the king
amongst all types of kumbhak (breath stillness). It
gives greater longevity, brings perfection and results in samaadhi (blissful awareness). Its advantages are innumerable. When kayval kumbhak takes place then
all other types of kumbhak are of less value, just as
when the sun rises, all the stars disappear from the
sky. Kayval kumbhak is the
root of all the techniques of yog and is practiced by
the best of yogis. The perfection of kayval kumbhak burns all sins, removes darkness an
produces knowledge or light. Ignorance in the form of duality is removed and
the Vision of Oneness is attained. Moorcha kumbhak
Benefits: rejuvenates the whole body and creates a state of happiness. With practice, the breath is controlled and many diseases are removed. Incremental breathing
Benefits: opens the consciousness very quickly and deeply. Paves way for Kaival kumbhak. Promotes the ability of breathing in through the thought and breathing out through the thought, without the need for air. It is in this fourth dimensional type of breathing that wave comes in and wave goes out as if breathing is taking place but no motion is occurring or air is taken in, and the body is relaxed and there is not the desire or need to take in air or breathe. This is a very high level of praanayam and has untold benefits. Used in conjunction with other praanayams, many powerful spaces of opening can occur and mind is completely transformed to space. Bhastrika kumbhak,
(bellows breath)
Benefits: all diseases caused by wind, heat and phlegm are destroyed. The praanic fire is increased and the kundalini is very easily aroused. Chanting/Repeating mantras Repeating certain Sanskrit sounds like Om Raam Shiv Shyam, or Shyam Narayan Hari Narayan or Govinda Raadhay Raadhay Shyam, Gopaala Raadhay Raadhay Shyam either audibly or inside as internal mantras can open up the energy channels and raise the kundalini, thus promoting heightened sex energy. Repeating affirmations like “I am the universal shakti” or “I am divine love” or “I am pure energy, fire, and free expression” work in the same way. Prior to love-making, chanting mantras can be an effective way to promote heightened spaces. Bhands (locks)/Naulis/Rotators Abdominal Lift (stomach nauli)
Variations: Once adequate control is gained, the muscles can be pumped in and out in rapid succession. They can also be rotated from right to left and from left to right. Benefits: This is the best exercise for firming and strengthening the entire solar plexus area. This action massages and tones all the internal organs. A very important exercise to be done daily. Bandhs For esoteric circle to practice daily in order to recast the whole frame. 1. Mool Bandh When the mouth or hole of the anus and the generative organ is closed consciously and completely, this is called mool bandh. This is done by the will which exercises its power and squeezes the inner muscles of both organs to the fullest extent inward. It is always effected best in sidhasan or half lotus with the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the ground with the heel under the generative organ. Results: The apaan vayu (vayu—that power which moves or causes movement), the air that starts rising upward, meets another air called praan vayu at the navel point. In this process the coiled kundalini becomes straight and rises higher. If practised, mool bandh will remove indigestion and make you feel satisfied in yourself. Whatever you eat tastes good and ojas is taken to the brain. Those who are good yogis not only practice it at the time of meditation but they hold it always. 2. Uddhiyan Bandh Grasp the legs just above the knees. Take a deep breath, exhale fully and keep the breath suspended. Draw the stomach muscle as a whole inside and squeeze it to the extent that it sticks to the spine. A pit in the stomach should appear. The more the stomach muscles are held inward the better. Due to this bandh, the praan or jeev begins to fly like a bird toward sushmana and because the praan takes flight, the bandh is called uddhiyan, meaning flight. Results: Praan and semen run upward to the brain; loss of indigestion; increase in appetite; lungs become strong and function with great power. 3. Jaalundhar Bandh Bring the chin down to touch the top of the chest and press it so strongly that between the chin and the heart only four fingers distance remains. The chest and shoulders will remain erect while practicing. This exercise keeps the network of the nerves in the neck tight and bound. Therefore it derives its name. Results: The voice becomes sweet, attract and melodious. Ida and pingala become closed and praan enters into sushmana. The nose becomes free from blockage. 4. Maha Bandh First method: Apply the heel against the generative organ and press the right foot against the left thigh. Sit straight. Feel which nostril is opened. From the open nostril breath in, hold the breath and apply jaalundhar bandh. While doing so, attract the air or vayu from mooladhar chakra as much as possible and apply mool bandh also. In this way you have applied: 1. Kumbhak (breath suspension) 2. Jaalundhar bandh, and 3. Mool bandh When you are about to release the breath from the lock of kumbhak, use the other nostril and exhale the air slowly through the nose. Do this praanayam whenever you are applying the maha bandh. Second method: Sit in padmaasan (lotus posture) and squeeze mool bandh. Raise the apaan vayu to the navel point, breathe in the praan vayu and bring it to the navel point. Apply kumbhak for as long as you can. Results: The praan rises higher; purification of the ojas; the three nadis (ida, pingala and sushmana) meet together; will power and strength are increased. *Author’s note: Caution... Maha bandh can create tension in spine. Moderation and listening to one’s intuition is recommended. Rotators: (variation on the stomach nauli)
Results: Increases sexual energy. Benefits are similar to a nauli, but in a sitting position versus a stooped position. The entire solar plexus area is worked and ojas is squeezed upwards. Comments on
supplementary exercises: There is not any one of the above practices which is more important than the other. It’s best to experiment with all of them and choose those practices which bring the best results. Different practices will benefit different people in varying degrees. All are beneficial in raising praan and enhancing the sexual experience. The key is daily practice and adherence to the philosophy of continually raising the praan or energy upwards. Final wishes May the powers of Shiv and Shakti flow through us, May we cultivate the greatest
respect for the universal Shakti, Which
allows the highest awareness to flow through us, And brings great powers
of being, Powers we bring to the
playground of our bodies, Which are our gifts
and birthrights!
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