ratios

[Paresh]

How important are ratios in Pranayama? It never feels comfortable to me & I'm more inclined to "let the breath teach me". Thanks.

paresh

[Victor]

Paresh, please let the breath teach you. Ratios can be risky as they are an artificial imposition on a very delicate process. There is nothing to be gained by holding the breath a long time, the goal of pranayama is to open up and channel pranic energies not a breath holding excercise. That said, the practice of breath retention is a very effective method for this if done with sensitivity to your bodies internal feedback.

[Paresh]

Victor - Thanks. That's exactly what I thought. In the tradition of yoga I can only work with my own truth, right or wrong.
That said, then why are ratios a traditional part of yoga? And (in the spirit of Jnana) I have always questioned a lot of the tradition - where does mythology end and yoga science begin?? Re things like Kichari, bandhas, etc.

paresh

[Victor]

Well, I would say that the ratios can be a guideline rather than a rigid formula. If you look at the classic 1/4/2 ratio of inhalation, retention, exhalation you see that the retention and exhalation are lengthened and that the inhalation should not be drawn out or restricted. This is a healthy pranayama pattern. If there was any strain from the retention process it can be equalized by an open and not restricted inspiration of the breath. Sama Vritti or equal duration is an easy ratio of 1/1/1 and this is used before learning to lengthen the retention rather than trying to lengthen all three parts. It is not 4/4/4 but is 1/1/1 or a way of looking at it is that the number 1 is the natural unmodified inhalation. These are all guidelines however and trying to rigidly breathe for any length of time without adjusting the quality and length of your breath from moment to moment is likely to do more harm than good. The ancient yogis loved lists and categories and it did make it easier  to organize a body of knowledge this way in writing. In practice however pranayama was generally learned under the guidance of an experienced guru who could share the fine points of the practice with the student and keep them out of danger. If you are learning from a book or a website I would strongly urge you to listen to the signals of your body and respond accordingly.
Hope this was of some help

[Paresh]

well said - thanks!

paresh