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The Latin word spiro, meaning to breathe, is the root of the word spirit, and thus we see the

connection with the alchemists Mercury or life force carried by the air. To begin at the beginning, we need to realize that the nose is the proper organ for breathing. There are many people who are in the bad habit of breathing through the mouth. The nose is specially designed to filter and warm the air before it passes into the lungs. Mouth breathing bypasses this important feature and leaves us vulnerable to a number of respiratory problems. So, if you dont already, learn to breathe through the nose, not the mouth. Another point to keep in mind is that the skin acts as a third lung. Although it acts passively, the skin plays an important role in eliminating wastes from the body and absorbing prana from the air. To keep the skin fresh and the pores open, it is a good practice to perform a thorough dry brushing of all the skin using a natural fiber brush of medium stiffness. This helps exfoliate dead skin and adhering waste as well as open the clogged pores. Cycles of breath Beginning on the new moon (waxing), the breath comes into the left nostril (ida) at sunrise and stays there for two hours; after which time it switches to the right nostril (pingala) for two hours; after which it again switches to the left. This pattern continues all day and is the same for the first three days of the waxing moon. On the fourth day, the breath comes into the right nostril at sunrise and the pattern of switching nostril to nostril is the same for the next three days; after which on the seventh day at sunrise, the breath enters the left again. This pattern continues until the full moon, when the breath enters the right nostril at sunrise. Between this constant switching from nostril to nostril, there arise periods where the breath is even between the two nostrils and said to be flowing in the sushumna nadi. Each of the two-hour periods is further subdivided into five periods of twenty-four minutes, each of which is allotted to the flow of the five elements in this order: ether, air, fire, water, earth. Even these sub-divisions are divided, but for most practical works this is of lesser importance. Actions undertaken during breath cycles As the right and left brain hemispheres become activated by breath, there are definite changes in our mental states and body chemistry. When the breath is predominantly through the right nostril, the body becomes more acidic and heated. The right lung and nerve currents on the right side of the body are more active, but the left half of the brain is stimulated. This is good for all short-term activities such as hard physical labor, bathing, eating (digestion is enhanced), sleeping, reading and writing. When the left nostril predominates, the body chemistry is more alkaline and cooled, and the left lung and left side nerve currents are activated along with the right side of the brain. This is a good time for all long term peaceful activities, including beginning new projects, practice of the arts, contemplation to gain insights on a problem, and drinking liquids. When the breath is through both nostrils evenly, the current of energy flows through sushumna nadi, and only meditation and exaltation of consciousness should be attended to. These guidelines on breath provide us with a simple means to consciously alter our body chemistry and mental states. In order to change which nostril predominates, it is usually

sufficient to lie down on the opposite side and breathe only through the nostril you want to open. For example, if you wanted to breathe out of the right nostril, you would lie down on your left side, apply external pressure with thumb or finger to the left nostril to close it, and breathe from the right nostril only. Generally it takes about three to ten minutes for the change to complete. The Total Breath Many people breathe with only a portion of the lungs; this is called shallow breathing. Usually only the upper part of the lungs are filled and this leads to poor oxygenation of the blood, making us feel tired all the time. Proper breathing begins with the abdomen and is called the total, full, or yogic breath. Fully exhale, through the nose, and draw the abdomen in towards the spine. On the inhale, the abdomen is pushed outward, causing the diaphragm to move downward and draw air into the bottom of the lungs. At the top of the inhalation, the chest is lifted and expanded to fill the upper portion of the lungs. A short pause at the top of the breath allows a more efficient exchange of gases and prana to occur. The out breath should be an effortless release of the air, concluded by drawing the abdomen in again in order to push out the remaining air at the bottom of the lungs. This all sounds difficult, but it is quite easy and natural in practice. With a little conscious effort and practice, this will become your normal way of breathing and you will be surprised at the increase of energy and endurance you have during the day. If you can take the breath down below eight times per minute, the pituitary starts secreting fully. If the breath is less than four times per minute, the pineal gland starts to function fully and deep meditation is automatic. Alternate nostril breathing There are a number of simple breathing techniques we can use to alter our body chemistry, change our moods, clear out toxins, or accumulate prana for our alchemical works. The technique of alternate nostril breathing balances the currents of ida and pingala along the sushumna, enhancing meditation and exaltation of consciousness. Using the thumb of the right hand, close the right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. Now uncover the right nostril and using the ring finger, close the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril. With left nostril still closed, inhale through the right nostril, then block it again with the thumb and exhale through the left nostril. Repeat this process for three to ten minutes and sushumna should open with the breath balanced in both nostrils. Breath of fire A powerful method for burning toxins from the body is called the breath of fire. In this practice, the focus is at the navel point. The breath is rapid (two or three per second), continuous and powerful, with no pause between inhale and exhale. As you exhale, the air is pushed out by drawing the navel point in towards the spine sharply. The air is drawn in by pushing the navel point out just as rapidly. The chest area remains relaxed. This is a very balanced breath with no emphasis on the inhale or exhale; both are performed with equal power. This is a cleansing breath for the blood and helps to release old toxins from the lungs, mucous lining, and blood vessels. Start slowly with one minute of practice, then work your way up to ten or even twenty minutes of practice.

Sitali or cooling breath This breath technique is used to cool the body and is useful to regulate fevers and blood pressure; it also cures many digestive ailments. This is one of the rare times breathing through the mouth is recommended. Just curl the tongue and extend the tip out past the lips. Inhale deeply, drawing the air in through the curled tongue. Exhale through the nose. If you cant curl your tongue, inhale through your clenched teeth. Porous breathing This final breathing method we will examine is perhaps the most useful for many alchemical experiments. An important principle to remember here is that where we focus our attention is where our energy goes. We mentioned earlier that the skin acts as a third lung. In this method we use the total breath, but instead of paying attention to the nose, lungs and abdomen, we focus our attention on the total area of our skin. As you breathe in, feel the air and energy entering in through every pore of the skins surface and concentrating itself evenly throughout the body. Exhale normally but feel the energy stay within you. With some practice you will be able to fill the entire body with fresh energy in just a few breaths. You can also practice breathing in and out from specific areas of the body like a foot or hand. In addition to this, you can mentally impress the incoming energy with specific qualities. For example, lets say you have been on your feet all day and they ache. Practice breathing in and out of the feet and on the inbreath you are drawing in soothing, healing energy, while on the out breath you are releasing pain and tension out of the feet. With practice you will be able to fill the body with energy of a specific vibration, concentrate it into your hands, and then release it into an object or substance you are working upon in the laboratory. This is a subject we will come back to later.

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