The Yoga Tutor

Maha Mudra
[ Excerpt from The Science of Yoga, page 307 ]

A growing problem today is asthma and asthmatic related conditions, which are exacerbated further by the tension of air trapped in the upper part of the lungs.

The following maha mudra kriyas can aid in releasing this upper lung air and thus be a great benefit for the asthmatic sufferer.

Sapurna Maha Mudra - the incomplete mighty tidal gesture

  • Begin in vajra asana.
  • Inhale fully.
  • On the exhale, relax your arms to the sides and slowly bend forward at the hips until your forehead comes to rest upon the floor.
Note: By the end, the lungs should be empty.
Raise the arms high up toward the sky, expelling any remaining air trapped in the upper lungs.
  • Lower the arms, and inhale fully (low/mid/high) as you slowly return back up into the upright vajra asana.
  • Repeat the sequence immediately with the next exhalation.
  • Perform this cycle 3 to 6 times within the hathena set.
Note: When practicing alone, it may be performed up to 12 times in one sitting.

Maha Mudra - the mighty tidal gesture

The complete maha mudra in is performed in exactly the same way as the sapurna maha mudra, except that the hands are interlocked behind the back throughout the movement.


[Continued...]


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Learn More About
The Science of Yoga Course

Foreword
About Yoga Home Study
Section 1 - Getting Started
Section 2 - Foundations of Yoga (1)
Section 3 - Foundations of Yoga (2)
Section 4 - Classical Ashtanga Yoga
Section 5 - Modern Yoga
Section 6 - The History of Yoga
Section 7 - Yama Niyama Introduction
Section 8 - Awareness
Section 9 - The Yoga Diet
Section 10 - Yoga Philosophy
Section 11 - The Yoga of Perception
Section 12 - The Yoga Path
Section 13 - The Virtue of Restraint
Section 14 - The Classical Yoga Texts
Section 15 - Yoga Cleansing
Section 16 - The Law of Cause and Effect
Section 17 - The Yoga of Digestion
Section 18 - Yoga Psychology
Section 19 - Yoga Psychology (Part 2)
Section 20 - Yoga Psychology (Part 3)
Section 21 - Yoga Psychology (Part 4)
Section 22 - Controlling The Senses
Section 23 - The Higher Stages of Yoga
Section 24 - Higher Stages of Yoga (Part 2)