Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Quotes
In today’s post I’ll be sharing something quite personal. It is difficult, but the reason why I started this blog was not to just share articles that sound great in theory, but also to share personal stories of struggle and solutions I found that helped me overcome these challenges; to help anyone going through similar struggles.
Last September I read an article about a young woman who had suffered from a tumor. After 3 months of practicing the Sudrashan kriya as taught at the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Art of Living program, her tumor had disappeared. You can read her full story here:
http://artoflivinglifestories.blogspot.com/2011/01/kamlesh-barwal-art-of-living-experience.html?m=1
At the time I had been suffering from severe depression, severe insomnia resulting from traumatized nerve cells, and horrible panic disorder for 7-8 months which started in early 2014. I had dealt with anxiety disorder in the past, 15 yrs ago and had overcome it with the help of Ayurvedic (Indian herbal) medicines. This time around the problem was exacerbated due to the severe insomnia, leaving me with no respite or temporary escape. I lost 13 pounds in 4 weeks. I couldn’t swallow food and had to force food down by washing whatever little I could chew on with some juice or milk or water. Even prescription sleep meds failed to give me sound sleep. My own doctors didn’t handle my case properly. They were just interested in putting me on a long term anxiety med, which did not address my severe sleep situation that needed immediate help. I had no energy and couldn’t function at all. I was utterly confused and couldn’t understand what was even wrong with me from a medical stand point. I displayed symptoms that mimicked symptoms of other auto immune and neurological illnesses but all test came back normal. But it kept eating into my subconscious that something was wrong and doctors were taking it too lightly resulting in me spiraling into a deep depression. Four months of this torment continued, until one of our family friends who is also a doctor prescribed me something to take at night to help with the sleep and anxiety. For the first time in months I woke up feeling rested mentally and physically. I continued taking the medicine to get to a stabilizing point. But after months of not being able to function normally I was in a hurry to get back to my normal self. I would get off the medicine and then find that I was back on again which is what (I believe) caused me to develop a tolerance to this medicine. I had to increase the dosage and even that barely helped me with my sleep. I was still very depressed and hopeless about my condition and worried if it would ever really go away. I spent a lot of money on things like acupuncture and other therapies hoping and praying they would help.
Two months into my health crisis I had attended an Art of Living Program upon my sister and brother in law’s behest. It was a very difficult period for me as I barely had the strength. A complete stranger (now a friend) who was also attending the program and lived close to me drove me to the center and back 40 minutes away for the 3-4 days. I learned the kriya/technique but wasn’t able to practice it as recommended at the time due to too much weakness. In June I made a trip to India and sought Homeopathic and Ayurvedic treatment. The herbal preparations helped pry me out of the deep well of darkness that I was in. It strengthened my nerves, but the insomnia prevailed and I was still struggling with the decision of whether or not to take the prescribed medicine for insomnia. It was as if my nerves had snapped after being stretched to their maximum limit. I decided to take the prescribed medicine for insomnia and anxiety regularly, but I continued to feel hopeless that this waking hellish nightmare would never end. The panic disorder symptoms had gone down considerably, but were still present. It was like after some steady improvement with the herbs, my progress plateaued and I was ‘stuck’.
After I read the article about the young woman mentioned above, I told myself I would do the kriya also for a period of 3 months and see if it made a difference. I religiously practiced the kriya without analyzing it or judging it. I noticed a subtle difference the very first time. It was small but it was there. For the first time I found myself laughing and cracking a joke in months. As time went by I found that I was returning to normal routines and day to day tasks, laughing, socializing. Slowly the dosage of my sleep meds went down. After 3 months I stopped taking the meds completely and switched to over the counter milder forms. After a month I stopped even that and survived with just minimal, poor but natural sleep which left me feeling tired. But I continued with kriya. My nerves are now almost back to their normal state. I have been getting naturally drowsy and been sleeping at first just 4 hrs/night then 5-7 hrs/night. Mentally I feel happy, strong, confident and positive like never before. This Sudrashan kriya has really been a blessing, miraculously improving my health. It is the best gift for people in this time and age when there is so much stress and worry.
I have always been a health conscious person and strived to lead a healthy life, physically and spiritually. But sometime a problem creeps into our life and before we realize it takes over and devours us. Everything that I had learned and that had helped me in the past just seemed to be having system failures. Meditations, mudras pranayams all just failed. I couldn’t understand why. Looking back I realize my problem had become too big. I had also stopped my meditation process for several month prior to this, due to a bad job of prioritizing and at the same time I was taking on excessive worry and imagining fearful outcomes. So consumed was I that I didn’t even realizing the damage I was unleashing on myself.
Anxiety disorder and depression carry a lot of stigma in places like India even in this day and age, where people are quick to mock and judge attributing this illness to weakness. It is not considered a real problem by people who have never suffered from it. Sooner or later we all go through it but in varying degrees because sooner or later we all go through some tragic or traumatic life changing event, whether it is a job loss, loss of a loved one, loss of health or financial insecurity. If the emotions associated with such loss persists for a few months it manifests as depression and panic disorder. No human being is immune to the lows of life.
This ordeal made me more spiritual, more empathetic and compassionate (not that I wasn’t before, but it took me farther and deeper). I leaned heavily for support on my family, parents, sisters and brothers-in-law, mother in law and select friends. They were my rock. It brought me even closer to the Universal Spirit/God and my loved ones. I read the famous religious texts Ramayan and Bhagvad Puran (as translated by Kamala Subramaniyam) from which I derived immense strength. I am even more hungry for spiritual evolution than I’ve ever been).
If you are suffering from anxiety/panic disorder, depression, stress, excess worry, negative thought don’t be hopeless. There is CERTAIN help. You will get better. You will laugh again. The dark clouds inside will disperse and the sun will shine again and your world will be a beautiful place once again. Please give this Sudrashan kriya a try. It’s the BEST GIFT you can give yourself. It is not meditation. Just a technique which involves repeated sets of breathing at different rhythms. Very Simple; Even a child can do it.
Ayurveda ascribes anxiety disorder/depression etc. to three factors:
Poor diet/nutrition, poor lifestyle that increases the element of air/vayu and mental agitation and weakness and also astrological reasons. In the past I have shared my experience with astrology (not your daily horoscope as printed in magazines and newspapers, but your customized horoscope based on your personal birth details). The shadowy planet called Rahu (the head/dragons head) is responsible for all sickness and disease above the neck which I know now. My horoscope shown to few astrologers by my dad in India and upon my request indicated a severely bad phase of mental stress due to Rahu.
You can read more about the Ayurvedic Approach to Anxiety at this link:
http://drrajeshshrotriya.com/anti-anxiety-drugs-in-ayurveda/
http://ayurveda.md/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=1
http://ayurveda.md/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126&Itemid=1
Please feel free to share your questions either in the comment box or privately through the Contact Me form. I’d be happy to help and answer your questions.
Yachna Yoga 
Aug 06, 2017 @ 23:38:12
Dear Sir/Madam,
Good morning. I read your blog in Art of LIving.
I am suffering from anxiety for the past 10 years. Do you think, it can be treated by Sudarshana Kriya? Kindly advice based on your experience. Would be grateful to you if you could share your phone number?
Highly indebted to you.
Harish
Aug 07, 2017 @ 06:28:52
Hi Harish. Yes Absolutely Sudarshan Kriya will cure you of your anxiety. I used to do 6 rounds daily and as I noticed improvement I slowly reduced it to 3 rounds daily. Give it at least three months of sincere practice.
Oct 31, 2017 @ 08:10:20
Hi,
I don’t know if I have any sort of anxiety disorder. But I have severe headaches that drain me of energy because there are constantly thoughts that run at the back of my head and end up in a negative spiral and then once in a while, I experience most of the symptoms of severe anxiety that you’ve mentioned. I am either neutral of very anxious/depressed.
(to put it in a more funny way, my state oscillates only between headache (overthinking) and heartburn (depression/anxiety)..haha)
Most of my thoughts are about what I can’t control, but attempting to control by rationalizing too much or something resulting from fear of failure etc.
so…can this Sudarshan Kriya cure me( or at least considerably reduce) of overthinking, fear and allow me to live fully live in the present?
Oh and of course…please dont ever take this blog down, your story is a wonderful guide post to many souls who seek genuine happiness .
Cheers and keep up the good work!
Oct 31, 2017 @ 19:42:57
Hi Hez, First of all thanks for your positive feedback there. Yes Absolutely-the Sudarshan Kriya kicks ass big time when it comes to panic disorder, severe depression and will uplift your mind to a very positive state. But give it at least 3 months of solid practice. I did it daily for 30 minutes. Its a very easy technique to do. It will slow down the popcorn thoughts that keep arising. Until you find a program near you try to do Bhramari Pranayam. It helps calm the mind considerably. https://yachnayoga.wordpress.com/2017/04/29/balance-your-hormone-secretions-through-bhramari-pranayam/
Learn to surrender. But that does not mean become lazy. Do your part to the best of your ability and leave the fruits to the Universe.
Nov 01, 2017 @ 11:21:03
Thanks for your reply! Actually I had just taken the course (Happiness program) and will be constantly on the road for few days before I can settle. I have a couple more questions, if you don’t mind.
1. You mentioned that you used to 6 rounds daily. Can this stimulate the same feeling as that of single longer session. and did you mean 6 rounds of the half hour session or just the kriya.
2.”Learn to surrender. But that does not mean become lazy. Do your part to the best of your ability and leave the fruits to the Universe.” – When I read this, I felt ‘Thank God, she gets me!’ I was beating around the bush a little I my earlier post, because i felt a little timid to address this core issue.
But to rephrase my question: “Can practicing this kriya enable me to surrender yet allowing me to keep an optimistic outlook for the uncertain future?”
Nov 01, 2017 @ 12:12:22
No worries. I’m here to help and answer questions to the best of my ability and experience.
1.For our home practice of the kriya we are asked to do 3 sets of the 3 rounds each at slow, medium and rapid rates and this is supposed to take 10 -12 minutes. But I would do daily 6 rounds- hence 6 sets of the 3 rounds (I think they call them circles). As you do this you can decide based on your results on whether or when you want to pull back. I did it my way for 3 months after which I started doing the originally recommended 3 sets on a daily basis.
2. The less resistance we have internally,the healthier and happier we will be physically and mentally. Remembering that we can most of the times control what we do and having the humility to accept that we cannot control what others do nor can we control the outcome of anything will go a long way in allowing us to live in harmony with the Universe and ourselves.
3. Remember the medicine will help us but we also have to help the medicine. Kriya is v powerful, but trying to be self aware and cultivating a positive attitude in general will help faster. I believe in a several pronged approach rather than one. For example if someone is suffering from depression the kriya will single handedly yank them out of it, but adding healthy nutrition, exercise and activities further helps to make one create that balance. you don’t want to keep littering what you just cleaned up- if that makes sense.
Nov 01, 2017 @ 16:25:52
I agree completely. I guess what I wanted most of the program was self esteem and clarity of mind. I have tried a lot of techniques for the former such as positive thinking, affirmations but persistently trying to correct my thoughts and feelings when they go haywire is tedious and leads to frustration.
I am absolutely sure that I can receive a greater clarity of mind with the kriya. I myself noticed it the first time I did it. So this is definitely going to be lifelong tool for me, this much I am sure.
I just want to know if I can feel good about myself naturally a majority of time and just be in flow and be sure that I am good enough and not drowned in excessive pessimism (which as we know are quite irrational). This has often left me in choking heartburn whenever I am face to face with insecurities, which could last for a couple of hours. So am I asking too much of the kriya?
(Of course, I am health conscious and always strive to achieve the optimum balance in nutrition, and physical fitness like you suggested)
tl;dr
I just want to set realistic expectations from this practice so I am not pained afterwards if I dont meet it.( lol though I doubt I will be with all the inner peace available after the kriya)
And really thanks for the prompt answer earlier!
Nov 01, 2017 @ 16:51:58
I understand where you are coming from. I wasted a very good part of my life living in fear and pessimism and I wish I had the wisdom then that I have now. The kriya will catapult you to a more positive state but it helps to incorporate other things like pranayama, yoga, meditation, reading other positive uplifting articles and being self aware so you can correct yourself when you find yourself sliding into old habits. People who think excessively have high vata (air element) so you can also try using certain herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi. I have included a link below where you can read more about signs of high vata and the herbs and foods to counter it. Also look into nasya. The link below will take you to the website and you can also search for nasya oils. They are great, quick and effective.
I can personally vouch for use sesame oil in helping reduce vata. I would sometimes buy the sesame oil from the Asian foods aisle and massage my scalp and feet vigorously. Shower off after and hour. It smells really strong but it will for sure relax you. You can also add a few drops of this to your regular cooking oil.
Sip warm water and herbal tea though the day in fall and winter and in summer avoid iced drinks, salads etc or anything cold. Avoid or minimize caffeine.
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/learning-ayurveda/balancing-vata/
You can also take the test on their site for determining your physical and mental constitution but your symptoms sound like vata is predominant.. Incorporate almonds, walnut in your diet but soak them at night. next day rinse and eat the walnuts(3-5 walnuts) and peel the skin off the almonds and eat them chewing really well. Wash it down with some milk if you like.
Nov 02, 2017 @ 12:09:30
Thanks, I will look into it for sure. Anything that will help me lead me a more fulfilling life is welcome
Nov 18, 2017 @ 01:51:50
Hi again
Been practicing the kriya for a little more than a week. Haven’t been able to experience extreme benefits yet but gotta keep doing it.
You know, I keep coming back to your blog I knew I was experiencing symptoms of anxiety similar to what you wrote but I had always found a way to detach it albeit temporarily. Now I am in a state where I have to face it head on. Please read the following and tell me if you think I may have GAD.
Suppose I take a decision to commit to a certain activity or practice in the near future, motivated solely by its positive benefits. After a short while i realize the negative and somewhat catastrophic consequences of such decisions if it were to fail.
Now I know these are just thoughts but due to an overactive imagination, I end up believing and thinking that these consequences are inevitable. I try to focus on the present but the fear from the thought kills me from the inside i.e constantly feeling pulsations beneath my ears, a feeling of empty pit in my stomach and so on.
So what do I do? I drop the decision i.e I tell myself that I will not take such decisions and I am fine as I am and voila – anxiety gone!
But isn’t this self sabotage? I am always dictated by fear and end up abandoning my most cherished desires.
So is my anxiety a result of my fears of my fears a result of anxiety?
Did you experience anything similar to this?
Has the kriya helped you to kick through decisions or scenarios that you once feared?
Sometimes I become very pessimistic and think of dropping the entire practice altogether (again this is also just a thought)
SO does the kriya kelp with the aforementioned problems stated?
Any sort of response is much appreciated.
Nov 18, 2017 @ 08:45:09
You are letting fear dictate your mind and generate severe anxiety – enough to paralyze your life. I want to make sure you are doing the KRIYA correctly. Lot of people do it wrong. First make sure your body muscles are not tense. Completely relax and become limp. Use a wall /cushion etc for back support. As you do the KRIYA keep doing checks to make sure your muscles aren’t tight especially the stomach / diaphragm. Inhalation is active and exhalation passive. Some people force exhalation and start doing kapalbhati Pranayam without realizing. When you inhale your stomach or diaphragm should rise up or out. When you exhale just let go- don’t force it. The litmus test that will tell you if you are doing this correctly is increased saliva production or a moist mouth indicative that the parasympathetic nervous system has been activated. If on the other hand you experience dry mouth it means the sympathetic nervous system is activated which mean you are doing it incorrectly hence the experience of increased fear and anxiety and no positive result. I had severe panic attacksand my hand would tremble all day. I lived in fear of imaginative things that never really happened. It is all the result of weak nerves. KRIYA cured me without any meds. So make sure you stick to it and do it correctly. There is no other miracle holistic cure for this. This is the most effortless route. Keep me posted.
Nov 28, 2017 @ 06:50:33
Okay, followed your advice. I did notice the symptom regarding the dry mouth and upon realizing it I switch back to a less forceful mode of exhalation (and sometimes I am able to completely allow the exhalation to be free)
I noticed that I am becoming more aware of my fears. One thing I realized is that I am becoming more aware of my irrational phobias.
At what point in your practice did you start losing imaginative fears? This is something I have struggled throughout the previous 5 years.
Also from your experience, is it possible to create irrational phobias just by excessive overthinking. I am noticing and realizing that most of my fears are merely self generated. But even after I have de-rationalized this fear, it still persists. (I guess fear doesn’t need a reason to exist) Will this gradually thin out through my kriya practice or do I need to look for some other approach? (anything involving reasoning with my thoughts doesn’t seem to help at all as I have stated already that I have de-rationalised my fears)
Nov 28, 2017 @ 16:17:12
Most fears are irrational. I would imagine the worst most illogical outcomes for every thing. Once I stepped out of that cloud I was able to see things for what they really were. Of all the fears we have how many have every really happened the way we imagined them? Most often things work themselves out. In Hinduism we believe (but most of us dont apply) that we are only living out the script that has already been written. whatever has to happen will happen the way it is meant to happen. What got me into severe panic attacks is the fear that something was going to happen-and nothing bad happened in the area of concern but I ended up traumatizing my nerves to the point of severe insomnia not even treatable by prescription meds. Keep doing the kriya and please do not force exhalation at all. It has to just be a passive release-a letting go. Overthinking does cause fears and worries to worsen to the point that it could really damage the quality of life. I used to overthink everything-but I don’t anymore. and if I do it is within the range of normal and healthy. Maybe it has to do with the kriya or maybe Im just getting older and over them. I don’t know when but slowly within a year or so of the kriya I stopped freaking out over every little thing. It was a very gradual and subtle change. Try to keep yourself occupied with activities and be around people or make it a point to call friend sand family on a regular basis. That helps too. Minimize alone time. watch funny movies. Eliminate news articles, medical shows and crime dramas.
Mar 16, 2018 @ 23:47:34
Hi
I have very similar story for past 2 years and unable to cope up. I discontinued anxity medication 4 month a go however unable to get back to normal. I did AOL course and feel that it should help me .
Currently i am extremely stressed and drained due to insomnia and irritation for past 3 months. I started medication just 3 days ago for anxiety. I control my panic attacks but unable to ignore my body sensations and not able to concentrate on outside world and family.
I am doing Sudarshan kriya for past 15 days and plan to continue.
Any guidance will be highly helpful.
Mar 17, 2018 @ 09:17:07
Hi Rahul,
Sorry to hear you are struggling with these issues. If you are taking medication for anxiety that is ok. Don’t stop it cold turkey as then you will have withdrawal symptoms of side effects of the meds. Also there are many different meds for anxiety. Make sure you are not taking anything that takes 6 weeks to kick in as it will truly alter your body chemistry an get you hooked and very difficult to get off. I think you should ask your doctor for an anti anxiety med that also helps with insomnia. They are not habit forming. Once you get good sleep you will be less irritable. Continue taking the meds and increase your Sudarshan kriya practice. I used to do 6 rounds daily and in three months 90% symptoms were gone. During this time you can slowly start to reduce the dosage of the medication too. As you reduce the dosage you can start using ayurvedic herbs that help in insomnia and anxiety. Any Patanjali center will have good practitioners who can prescribe these herbs in correct dosage. Also include foods that reduce vata. Drink warm water, eat soaked almonds and walnuts. Soak at night and next day peel the almonds. Eat healthy fats and carbs. Practice yoga asanas that are centering and grounding and build confidence. Practice Sheetali pranayam and Chandrabhedi pranayam which calms the mind. Bhramari is also very helpful in calming the mind. I t will get better and will take some time and perseverance on your part. But you will for sure surmount this challenge.
Apr 03, 2018 @ 02:04:33
Thanks Yachna for the helpful reply.
I am currently on Paroxetine for 3 weeks. And i was on it for more than 4 months in 2017.
I read about its side effects and was very hesitant to start it again this time.
However i struggled so bad with insomnia that i couldn’t bear.
Hence i had to visit my doctor and he did put me back on minimal dose of paroxetine.
I could sleep better but this is vicious cycle.
I am really worried that how this med withdrawal has altered my sleep and will i ever be able to get rid of it.
Doctor says that i will have to continue for this med for year and then taper it.
I am really worried on how i am going to get back to normal.
Yes, Sudarshan kriya is what i believe in and my only hope.
Thank you
Apr 03, 2018 @ 06:01:17
When I went through my horrendous phase of anxiety, insomnia and depression I used to think that I will never get better. My insomnia was so bad that no prescription med helped either. The Sudarshan Kriya was my saving grace.It will take time (3-4 years as in my case), but as the effects of kriya kick in you will know and slowly you can start reducing the med dose. The you can go to over the counter meds and slowly taper away. OF course there will be some bumps but dont let that dishearten you. It is normal that progress will not be a smooth. It will be two steps forward one step back. At night listen to a guided meditation. It will really help improve faster.
Mar 31, 2018 @ 20:44:14
Hi Yachna,
I am not sure you still reply to comments but I have a question to ask you based on your experiences. I have recently moved house very close to a busy highway and find myself unable to sleep because of the constant noise. This has escalated to anxiety and insomnia and am not able to sleep even for a minute. I am on sleeping pills now. I lie overseas hence unsure of is it my nerves causing this inability to settle and sleep in noisy environments?
Apr 01, 2018 @ 05:36:08
Hi Priya. First you need to isolate the real reason you are having anxiety and insomnia. The move might just happen to coincide with the actual reason which you
Might not have identified. When did you move to US? What other changes happened in your life preceding the move. If you know the real reason it can give you something to work with. But again if you can’t figure it out don’t worry about spending too much time analyzing. The bottom line is to move forward and try to fix it. Attend a Happinesss Prigram to learn the Kriya and practice daily morning. That will help with anxiety. For insomnia buy the Frolov breathing device and practice daily at night for 20-30 minutes before bed. Until you order it practice guided meditation when in bed. Use headphones to drown out any back ground noise. Read about Butyeko breathing. There are lots of videos online.
Apr 01, 2018 @ 18:03:54
Thanks Yachna,
I am in Australia living here for a few years now. I have no previous episodes of anxiety as such. The recent move to a house near the highway has left me sleepless because of traffic noise 24/7 which I am not able to cope with. Can’t keep my eyes shut for a minute even.I didn’t know I was this sensitive to noise.Using headphones at the moment to put on some rain or white noise but that disturbs me even more. Sleeping pills completely drown me and that is the only rest I get.
Do you think learning Sudarshan Kriya will benefit me? What else can I do?
Do you know people in US who go through similar experiences.?
Thanks
Apr 01, 2018 @ 18:23:06
Hi Priya. Send me a Hello through the contact form on my blog so we can speak more privately.
May 12, 2018 @ 04:46:35
Hi yachna,
How do i get in touch with you.
May 12, 2018 @ 07:13:53
Please contact me via the Contact Form located under the Contact tab on the main page https://yachnayoga.wordpress.com/contact/
Sep 28, 2018 @ 20:53:45
Hello Mam.. I’m suffering from Anxiety Disorder.. I worry every little things and fear always hits me in every second. I have joined Art of Living Happiness Program two days ago. I started doing sudarshan kriya and for the first time I felt heart palpitation and heart bit racing.. I also feel energy in over my hands like current,, I would like to know from you if it is normal for the first time.. Please let me know, thank you.
Sep 30, 2018 @ 08:28:39
Hi Sankar. When I first started doing the kriya in the Happiness Program I (along with several other individuals in the group) experienced different sensations that we described as tingling sensations in arms and brain freeze (sensation felt if you eat something icy cold really fast). These sensations will go away on their own after a month of regular practice (more or less). Please read the comments posted to this article as it will answer a lot of common questions that I receive from people regarding the kriya. If you still have any more questions please fill out the contact form and submit. After that I will be able to communicate with you via email.
Oct 11, 2018 @ 07:43:18
Thank you madam for your valuable reply… I would like to know one thing from you… Can I do 6 rounds of kriya daily… As I have panic attacks and negative feelings about myself… Will it be harmful for me…. Waiting for your reply… Thank you…
Oct 11, 2018 @ 08:18:25
I can tell you what I used to do and what worked for me. I skipped the pranayam preceding the kriya. I did only kriya six rounds. That’s how I accelerated my healing. I did not experience any side effects or anything harmful. In fact it helped me get better 99% in 3 months.
Oct 12, 2018 @ 00:29:15
Thank you madam for your valuable reply… I will do 6 rounds of kriya only daily… I wish I can be happy again…. Please let me know with addition to kriya what else you did during this three months .. thank you..
Oct 12, 2018 @ 07:08:03
The kriya single-handedly will help you. But in addition to that follow a diet and lifestyle that minimizes vata. Soak 5-10 almonds and 3-5 walnuts separately in water overnight and consume next day(peel the almond skin off). It is very good for the nerves. Sip warm water. Avoid all cold foods, drinks etc. You can see a Patanajali vaid and take some herbs that help with calming the nervous system. After the Kriya try to sit in meditation for some time. In the evening listen to guided yog nidra before bed. These are all additional things to do to help heal and maintain the body. You will be 99% better in three months. Just strictly do it daily. Don’t let anything get in the way of your practice.
Oct 12, 2018 @ 07:49:29
Also when you do the kriya -if you are doing it correctly you should notice increased salivation. If mouth feels dry it means you are doing it wrong and that will increase your panic and anxiety. If that happens please contact me via the contact tab form.
Dec 09, 2018 @ 00:04:19
Hi mam I am suffering too much depression i am doing long sudarshan kriya once in week. Can I do short sudarshan kriya daily two or three times to overcome my depression
Dec 09, 2018 @ 07:52:58
Hello Mahesh. I used to do a session of 6 rounds/circles I think they call them (Slow, medium and rapid) daily-so about 30 minutes. Certified AOL teachers will tell you to do only 10 mins daily, but what they don’t understand that those 10 mins are for maintenance-not healing. To get out of severe depression and panic attacks you have to do longer session. Additionally I would recommend that you read all the comments to this article as it will answer more questions on how to do the kriya correctly-another thing most certified AOL teachers are unaware of. IF you don’t do it right it can exacerbate the symptoms.
Oct 08, 2018 @ 05:16:35
I am taking sleep medication for 2 years now I have read your post first I want to ask you how many hours are you sleeping now?
Dec 09, 2018 @ 08:13:49
Thank you madam for your valuable reply
May 03, 2019 @ 10:39:06
Hi
very inspiring article. Would like to know whether the Sudarshan Kriya helps with being a more socially responsible person. I would like to know because the only thing which I lack most in my life is being able to face confrontation head on with other men who may have a difference in opinion and views. This often leads to withdrawal which further leads to depression. I have a very high moral fiber but lack the courage to implement it in my life. was wondering whether kriya (or any other spiritual practices that you may have) will help in standing by my values. I just cant assert myself
From the above, I believe it is made quite clear that I am not only seeking healing but also improvement in my general character.
From reading the above comments section, I have found (please correct me if I am wrong) that one must allow the belly to expand and contract during the kriya and not the whole torso heaving in a top down fashion.
Also you mentioned that you did 6 rounds. Is it also okay to do the long kriya instead for 3 months straight. You also seem to have a lot of knowledge regarding this practice even more so that most other AOL teachers. Was this acquired through trial and error?
And I would also like to inquire regarding your knowledge of Ayurveda which seems comprehensive. How and where do you get such applicative knowledge.
What’s the end state that I should be aiming for ? Currently I am suffering brain fog, poor memory and general lethargy as well and a lump in my throat which doesn’t go away (there is nothing there but the feeling is real and i unintentionally keep gulping water down my throat to “swallow” this pain)
May 03, 2019 @ 19:50:22
Dear Shinzo,
I will try to answer all your questions. The Sudarshan Kriya helps create a positive and strong mind that has a high threshold for stress. It also builds confidence and gives one an inner glow when practiced sincerely.
As far as dealing with confrontational situation regarding difference of opinions I would say-know your audience. You might just be sharing views on a topic with people who are just very different from you. Two things we never discuss with anyone is politics and religion. I will also add spirituality as this is a very personal experience for which there is no empirical evidence. It’s a waste of time and energy and leads to frustration. Surround yourself with people with whom you share more things in common. I write articles for my blog, but I never bring it up in conversation, nor do I try to force any information, practices, recommendations etc on anyone. People will be more receptive of something when the universe puts them in a situation where they have no choice but to be open to listening at least a different point of view. I have experienced states of higher consciousness but I would never share that with the wrong audience. Some people thrive on arguments. Took me a long time to learn that lesson.
Work on strengthening your solar plexus. That’s where confidence stems from. There are many different yoga poses that help with that-warrior pose, star pose, archer pose. Additionally, work on balancing your throat chakra-this will aid in better communication. Somewhere along the way you lost your voice. Lions pose is best. Keep on mind you are not alone. I have been through what you are going through-the lump on the throat, the inability and opportunity to be heard, the facial pain from keeping it all locked inside, constant anxiety, hopelessness. But I am not that person today. It took a long time. You ask how I have all this knowledge; I was on a journey of healing. No doctors could help me or understand what was wrong. This forced me to seek information. I read a lot and also tried to analyse and understand the information I found. We are all on a journey of evolution. It won’t happen overnight, but one day you will notice you are a better, stronger, happier person. The growth is not a steady one. Sometimes you will feel you are taking two steps forward and five steps back. Completely normal.
You have stated that you are a person of high moral fiber, but then you say you need to improve your general character. I think you just need to build your confidence. That comes from doing things you are afraid or shy to do. It will be very hard to put yourself in those situations. I was thrown into situations that I would have never chosen for myself. But because of it, I am a changed person- in a good way. I have never been more confident. I am not afraid to be myself, because as I am getting older, I care less of things that for some silly reason mattered to me a lot once upon a time.
Regarding the breathing technique during the kriya-you are right. Belly breathing instead of chest breathing. Chest breathing is what we naturally do when we are scared, worried, nervous, sad. Belly breathing activates the part of your nervous system that calms your mind and body. Three rounds take about 12-15 minutes. I would recommend do 25-30 minutes for 6 rounds. Everything in moderation. And calmly. Completely surrendering your mind and body. Let lose all tight muscles and let go. No need to do the pranayams before the kriya. Just do the kriya. Smile more. Laugh more. It’s something we have all forgotten to do. Cry sometimes. It helps let out a lot of emotions (the lump in the throat is from too much sadness and your inability to express yourself and be heard). Like I said-find the right audience. Stop wasting time and energy over people who have different set of values from you. Keep yourself extremely busy so your mind doesn’t have the time or energy to wander off to useless thinking that does nothing to serve you. Read positive articles and inspiring stories. As far as lethargy is concerned I myself feel that sometimes from living hectic lives, but when I get a nice aerobic exercise or core yoga of at least 30 minutes straight I feel better immediately. All lethargy is gone and I feel full of energy and zest.
May 04, 2019 @ 08:50:35
Thanks a lot for the uplifting words Yachna.
Right now I feel in the following words:
I constantly feel my throat, i see and feel red when I wake up. My own mind is against me to the point that I feel so dense in my head. I would like to know what is the general feeling I should be progressing towards while healing.
Also would you kindly recommend a detox diet (home remedy — cant afford a panchakarma now). I just want to clean my system of whatever it is that I feel now. SKY is part of it but I feel I need to change my diet as well. I eat home cooked food and my family is all healthy and normal but I need something else to reach close to my prakriti (hope I am using the right terms). How do I go about doing this?
I went to an Ayurvedic doctor last month and she took a Nadi Pariksha and tells me that I have excess vayu dosha. Gave me some medicines, took it but didnt notice any changes.
Also before reading the following, I would like to let you know that I am willing to take full responsibility for any risks associated with the questions I am about to ask now:
What set of practices would you recommend a person who aspires an accelerated (or intense… not sure what is the right word)recovery who is housebound and is currently in the support of his parents. The said parents are not ready to acknowledge depression and hence no financial aid can be acquired. I am currently in the process of finding a job but for the time being my resources for recovery will be restricted to a typical indian family diet , a yoga mat, and internet access.
I want life to throb in me all the time but more so I have learnt that I need to protect this from people who thrive on putting others down.
May 04, 2019 @ 13:00:25
Dear Shinzo, everything I will share with you is based on my own personal experience.
You asked what is the general feeling you should progress towards.
I think your goal should be to first get physically and mentally healthy. Once your health is in a good place most things will start falling into place. (No one is ever fully healthy and energized and no one’s life is always perfect). You should aim for an overall feeling of wellness and desire to do things and to stop dwelling on negative thoughts and emotions)
Even without an Ayurvedic doctor, just based on your symptoms alone it is clear that you have excessive vata dosha. It is a kaliyug/new age disease and astrologically ruled by Rahu caused due to excessive negative emotions of fear, worry, self pity, anger, need to blame someone else for your problems. This will not be easy, but you just need to stop overthinking. Surrender to the universe, its in control anyways. Like I said before life is about our evolution and it takes obstacles, problems and pressure for us to grow.
To clean out my system I added a level teaspoon of dry amla powder in luke warm water every morning drank it and waited 30 minutes before I consumed any food. Alternatively I also used tripahala powder in the evenings sometimes. Eat early dinners. Make sure your meals are foods that don’t increase vata. You can do an online search for foods and habits that increase vata and then make sure to reduce or avoid them. Sip warm water throughout the day. Completely stop all cold foods, beverages etc. Protect yourself from wind. Soak 5-10 almonds and 1-2 walnuts at night. Next day peel the skin of the almonds, rinse the walnuts and eat. Vata dosha dries out the nerves, joints, intestines etc so it is important to provide your body with healthy fats. Good quality ghee in sensible quantity is also recommended (unless you have cholesterol issues). Alternatively sesame seed oil is an excellent oil-hailed as king of oils in Ayurveda and the biggest slayer of vata dosha, Toasted sesame seeds should be consumed. Not too much. Everything in moderation so you don’t create another imbalance while trying to fix the other. If you can buy a herbal infused Ayurvedic sesame oil use that for massage daily. I sometimes even use the sesame oil used for Asian cooking. At the minimum, a scalp (a bit of the forehead and temples should be included in the massage) followed by vigorous massage of the soles of your feet-one at a time of course until you feel heat being generated. Wait 30 minutes before a bath. (Now if the weather is very hot I would reduce the massage time and frequency,. Basically listen to your body and find the right dose that suits you. (If weather is too hot then skip). After a sesame oil massage you will feel warm and very relaxed and maybe even sleepy. Nasya oil is also very recommended. It is a blend of herbs in sesame oil. A few drops are to be added to the nostrils at bedtime. Look up more info on nasya. You should see pretty quick results with this. Continue to take your ayurvedic medicines. It takes time to show effect depending on how bad your vata dosha is, ayurveda can take 6 months especially if you simply relying on them alone). Healing is not just popping herbs and rasayans, You have to tackle it from every angle. Do yoga asanas. Do light aerobic exercises that get your hear rate up. Aerobic exercises are nto recommended for high vata people, but if you feel better after doing it then there is no harm in doing it. I always feel great after it.
AS you can see healing involves a lot of effort and dedication and only you can do it for yourself. Below I am sharing the link to a very important website. This was life altering for me. Read as much as you can. Learn how to do the Butyeko breathing exercises and you will notice a huge improvement. If you can’t do anything else then practicing SKY and applying what you learn in the links below is all you need. How many times have you heard of people saying-they ate healthy, exercised, lived healthy lifestyles and still ended up with cancer? The reason? We don’t breathe right. Once you read the information in these links/website you will understand why.
You can heal a lot of diseases just by following the information in this website. More importantly, learn to be self aware. Notice the stress we carry in our muscles. Remind yourself throughout the day to relax. At night in bed practice yoganidra. The video by Baba Ramdev in Hindi is the best. The English voice over is annoying 🙂
https://www.normalbreathing.com/
https://www.normalbreathing.com/d/depression.php
https://www.normalbreathing.com/diseases-anxiety-breathing-disorders.php
https://www.normalbreathing.com/breathing-techniques.php
https://www.normalbreathing.com/learn.php
May 04, 2019 @ 16:52:32
THANKS A LOT!
May 06, 2019 @ 01:04:30
I have read those articles. They have been a great help and I am getting a hunch that yogis who are par excellence usually had diaphragmatic breathing.
Its only now that I am learning that exhalation basically means relaxation. The more fully one is able to exhale without any conscious effort the more naturally in sync is he with the nature. (well its just a hypothesis)
Your thoughts
May 06, 2019 @ 19:21:23
not only did the yogis have diaphragmatic breathing, they had slow breathing. Also holding your breath after inhalation increases heart rate and holding breath after exhalation lowers heart rate. we want a lower heart rate. That means the heart is not working extra hard to pump oxygenated blood to the body. So upon exhalation if one pauses for a second or two it will help calm them down. Also one can meditate on that pause/stillness in that pause.
May 09, 2019 @ 04:59:55
Hi,
Been practicing Sudarshan Kriya. With continued practice, I find that the more I focus on a task I am aware of how much my body is in pain from the neck up. I am also alarmed how painful my breathing is.
During the brief bouts of clarity that I have had. I have realized that a worthwhile life is one which is full of difficulties and the only thing to do is to survive and evolve though them. Each time you evolve life or the universe gives you the next set of challenges to face and it keeps going on. So I have realized that striving to do better (not have better things) is the only way forward whether be it career, relationships etc. I have also found that people who have a strong set of nerves are also quite conscious most of the time.
Does my observation resonate with your experience? I ask this because your experience with kundalini awakening seems very genuine and I have this preconception that the more spiritual progress one makes the more clarity h/she has while making decisions on the go. Please clarify if it is different altogether.
Will post more as my progress continues
May 09, 2019 @ 18:02:39
The more spiritual glimpses you have the more you realize the importance and true value of this life, things and events. Astrologically and form my own experience and observation, we go through phases or cycles in life. These phases last 15-20 years. The tough phases are meant to force us to grow and evolve into a better person. This phase is always full of difficulties as they are trying to help us overcome ego, anger, arrogance, fear, selfishness etc During the bad phase there are bad days and then there are not so bad days. Such cycles are followed by a long phase of favorable time which is meant for you to enjoy the good credit of your cumulative karmas. There are good days and then there are awesome days. Nothing ever stays the same. These cycles alternate.
Jun 17, 2019 @ 10:12:31
Hi,
Long time no write, I am feeling better now that I fixed my diet (not fully however). I wanted your input to the following question from your own experiences:
1. Which spiritual(or non) practices should I invest my time in order to develop a razor sharp clarity (one that will not be impeded with biases of others) with which I can make clear decisions and also one that will help me develop a crisp concentration for the task at hand?
2. Buteyko or SKY – would you advice combining the two? If so how would you advice the regimen to be? Also I am interested to know your control pause no 🙂
3. Does progressing on the spiritual path make you more independent ?
Jun 17, 2019 @ 20:06:53
Hi Shinzo, good to hear you are doing relatively better.
1. We can make better decisions if our mind is calm. Any meditative practice that calms the mind (even something as simple as slow three part breathing for 20-25 minutes) will be helpful. Brahmi is an ayurvedic herb that supposedly helps to provide clarity. Challenge yourself as that helps you grow and build confidence.
2. SKY in the morning and Butyeko at night before bedtime. I have not done Butyeko in a long time as I have very little free time so I definitely squeeze in physical exercise as that helps eliminate lethargy and keeps me on the right track as far as eating healthy. When time is limited due to work, I base my choice of practice on what my immediate need is for that phase in my life. Currently, at night I practice three part breathing that has helped me tremendously. When I first started doing Butyeko few years ago, my CP was 10 ( and the reason for that was a breathing disorder) but I was able to improve it to 25. So for someone who does nto have a breathing disorder it should be relatively easier to get a higher CP.
3. Depends on your definition of independence. Having a steady paying job gives me financial independence, and confidence, but progress on the spiritual path has given me wisdom and insights and a bigger purpose.
Jul 13, 2019 @ 21:33:00
You mentioned that progress on the spiritual path has given you more wisdom and insights and bigger purpose. What is this purpose you speak of? I am still 24 yo and being regularly mindful has exposed a lot of baseline anxiety which stems from a degree of powerlessness that I had as a child. Is it normal for my age to be not as independent as I thought I would be. It’s also making me question a lot of life patterns that most everyone is falling into: – marriage, kids etc. I am feeling the pinch of social pressure
Last month a very old relative of mine passed away. But I found it to be very scary because she died with the belief that she didn’t have as much control over her body as she actually had. Its as though the more you grow older the more restricted you become and I am scared of being too impressionable to these beliefs. This is what I meant by independence. How effectively are you able to make decisions that are actually your own and not anyone elses.
Jul 17, 2019 @ 21:21:36
The major spiritual glimpses I had serve as a reminder of the reality of the world at times when I get caught up in stressors of day to day life, relationships, work etc.which can be so easy to be pulled into and hard to get out of. Then I try to relive my experience of the Truth, my true divine nature and the falseness of the world around us. Time and experience will morph you. Its the hard and unpleasant experiences and hardships in life that help bring out our inner strength. You can’t force it. The Universe will bring it out in you in good time when you find yourself in situations where you have to either sink or learn how to swim fast. In my youth I was very influenced by my parents and pressure of society as well. Took almost 3 decades for me to ‘rebel’ so to speak and get over my timid side- repeatedly sour experiences over time slowly help bring out my inner strength.It is only in the past year that I felt confident and fearless in making my decisions that were not influenced by pushy people. I am not the person I was three decades ago. I am still a person with strong values, morals and scruples, caring and respectful, but now I expect a return in equal measure from relationships/society as well.
Jan 01, 2020 @ 19:34:06
Hi yachna
I was a lot pre occupied with my work and medical treatments for a while so I forgot to mention that I have thought of embarking quite seriously onto the spiritual path.
Your posts on your experiences with kundalini sadhana are very inspirational and very methodical but what I found most disturbing in your previous reply was in the following lines: –
“The major spiritual glimpses I had serve as a reminder of the reality of the world at times when I get caught up in stressors of day to day life, relationships, work etc.which can be so easy to be pulled into and hard to get out of.”
I always thought spiritual realizations were a permanent throughtout the day. Also would you say that you have attained moksha, enlightenement etc ..that is do you feel liberated in every way?
Jan 03, 2020 @ 16:26:31
Hi Shinzo. I Iearned through my experience that spiritual glimpses are not necessarily permanent. What I attained is enlightenment or true knowledge that one does not receive from text books but is of transcendental nature-I have realized the Truth mainly through experiencing Brahma Gyan which is knowledge of Brahman or Super consciousness state where the reality is perceived. This is also known as Savikalp Samadhi. This is temporary /reversible. But I did not attain Nirvikalp Samadhi which is a permanent state and is not reversible, but not easily achieved either. In this state one can consciously give up their body and attain Nirvana. Moksha or Mukti simply means freedom from the cycle of birth and death and all the misery that surrounds this cycle. Our scriptures say that one who has attained Brahma Gyan, will be freed form the cycle of birth and death. So even though I have achieved this gyan, i won’t know if I have received Moksha until after I am gone.
Jan 04, 2020 @ 08:47:28
Wow that’s still awesome!I mean you received a glimpse of God.
I am bubbling with questions as to what He (She ?) is like? Is the law of attraction true? what exactly is karma? Does the universe have our back at all times ? Are prayers answered? Have you received any siddhis? ** Could you answer these **
And when you say that that one can give up the body consciously in the non reversible state, do you mean to say that one can just choose to drop the body and just not come back etc.
One other thing which I am very concerned about is whether my imaginative and artistic capabilities will cease as I become increasing thoughtless progressing on the spiritual path. I eally would like your input on this.
Jan 04, 2020 @ 16:22:26
The experience of a formless, all pervading God is not as we have created in our minds. Its the realization that we are HIM. That the life force pervading me, you, an animal, an insect, a tree, a blade of grass an old person a young person, rich or homeless is all the same and that we are all tied together. We are NOT separate, but ONE. The feeling being separate comes from the mind/thoughts. God/Brahman is sheer bliss. In this state you have no desires or ambitions. You have achieved the highest goal that all human being s should strive for in order to be liberated from the hamster wheel of life. So don’t be concerned about your creative abilities being lost as in this Brahmi state you experience unexplainable joy while discovering the Truth of reality and realizing that this world is nothing but an illusion. The Truth will reveal itself to you; you won’t have to uncover anything. All you have to do is still your mind- no thought waves. The Law of Attractions, karma etc are all only important to the person who lives in this world believing it to be real. When you become a self realized being you realize that you are emperor of the universe, so then what use is the concern about karma and manifesting of dreams? the world appears as nothing but a big stage with each person going through a maze and playing their part per the script they were born with and you are the only audience member watching this foolishness. Siddhis are also for people who are seeking powers. If any siddhis are acquired during the process they are of no use to the true saadhak. As far as prayers being answered- I can say this. Talking to God and telling him your troubles is not prayer. In Hinduism it is the mantras that are the key to attaining what you want. Repeated japa using the right mantra with focused attention and the sincerity and dedication with which it is done and having faith is what has worked for me. Recently I had two problems plaguing me. After sincere japa within two days my problems that existed 5000-10000 miles away were solved miraculously. I was in disbelief. Then we also have something we call worship. That is praising your deity with vedic stotras. One particular such stotra that I had been listening and singing along with also produced miraculous results when we were not expecting it at all. All vedic mantras and stotras have power to unlock the energies that are needed to work in your favor. I don’t believe in the visualization technique of trying to manifest. Its the biggest load of crock which I briefly fell for in the past 🙂 . The “Secret” video if you have watched it, only involved interviews with a subset of the most prominent successful people. What about all those people who also worked hard and dreamed and still got nowhere? The experts’ answer to that is that you did not do it right. So why not pay me a fee and I will tell you the correct technique. Everyone is trying to pretend to be the master who knows the “Secret”. If it was that simple we would all be living in Utopia. I’m sure the poor kids in Africa are dreaming of food but is that enough top manifest it? And the folks in North Korea? I’m sure all they ever think of is their dream for freedom. How is that working out for them? Can I open up a locked door by just visualizing? I will need the key and not just any key, the key that is right for that lock. That is why you need the correct mantra to unlock what you want and that requires dedication and sincerity.
Jan 05, 2020 @ 04:13:32
Thanks for taking the time out to write an elaborate reply and that too covering most of the questions that I had asked. They were prompt and straight to the point.
About mantras, the only source of knowledge I have about mantras is from a book titled ‘The Ancient Science of Mantras’ by Om Swami. It has only about 4(5?) mantras that are used to achieve specific goals(wealth, wisdom, finding a guru etc)
But how do you find the correct mantra for specific needs in general ?I certainly cant find a repository of it in the Internet
Jan 05, 2020 @ 07:17:30
Drop me a Hello through the Contact Form on my blog so I can email you some information. Just a note- Simply chanting mantras a few times is not going to work. Just like you cannot withdraw from a bank account without first building the reserves, you will have to build credit or tapas through sincere dedication first and maintain it.
Jun 30, 2020 @ 01:55:46
Hi mam,
I am suffering from anxiety since last 7-8 months. Doctor has stopped medication in 3 months and he said i don not need medication. I should follow active life style, can undergo cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. I didnt join CBT session due to corona outbreak. I am doing sudarshan kriya since last 3-4 weeks and can see some improvement. First when i did kriya i felt so relaxed , peaceful and calm. That week i was so happy but then after few days i started feeling nervous once in a while thinking i will be anxious for lifetime. I am so confused whether i should only rely upon SKY or should get CBT as well. Personally i dont feel going to CBT sessions as i have read many positive reviews of kriya. I am doing 3 rounds of (20-40-40) sets. Shall i increase it then to 6 rounds one in morning one in afternoon to get better results. Many times when i feel hopeless i see your blog and tell myself that i can overcome it. But then after few days again i feel cloudy.
Jun 30, 2020 @ 11:44:47
Hello Shital. In my case I tried many different things as well. Apart from Ayurveda and homeopathy I did acupuncture, reiki, EFT ( tapping) etc bur I didn’t really notice any improvement. I started doing 6 rounds of kriya daily. You should test and see what works best for you. Make sure to follow the comments section to see previous tip and suggestions I provided in my responses. Make sure you are physically just relaxing your muscles completely and are in a comfortable position. Feel free to contact if you have anymore questions.
Aug 19, 2020 @ 10:43:54
Hi Yachna,
Thank you for this amazing article. It has been an immense source of support. I am going through and have gone through obsessive thoughts, related anxiety and depression. In the past, either with meditations, or sheer grit and willpower, I was able to get out of it. The fear was always there that “it” will come back and it did early this year before the corona outbreak. Things were truly awful for a while when I was on antidepressants for a short period. I stopped them cold turkey though as they were not helping at all, actually making things worse. Found out about SKY and happiness program through my mom. Having been practicing for about 40 days, yet still have my obsessive thoughts – actually they seem to be worse. Mom thinks there is a difference for sure and I feel it too, albeit slightly. I do continue with kriya everyday and now have added padam sadhna (15 mins 2 daily) and meditation (20 mins twice daily). I also try to be active and go for a brisk walk or do hand weights inside the house, despite not feeling like. I haven’t consulted an ayurvedic practitioner due to corona, plus none really good here where I live. I am wanting to take charge of my health this time and make sure I am attuned to my body, so as to have ‘this’ reappear. What else could I be doing to speed up my recovery, so this bad time is behind me? Thank you once again for your post. I sincerely appreciate your help.
Aug 19, 2020 @ 13:51:13
Hi Parul, Sorry to hear about your struggle. Before I start I just want to put the disclaimer out there that I am not a certified AOL teacher, but having experienced success in my recovery I do have some tips. Not sure if you read the comments, but I’ll reiterate. A lot of people do the kriya incorrectly. Make sure you first relax your entire body/muscles completely. Relax the face. When you inhale make sure it is diaphragmatically and when you exhale it should just be a release. Some people start doing kapalbhati. You are to NOT exhale forcefully. Just a letting go. If you notice saliva production it means your parasympathetic nervous system has kicked in and is working towards calming your mind and body and that you are doing it correctly. IF your mouth feels dry it means you are doing it incorrectly. As far as speeding up the recovery-I used to do the 6 rounds of the sets daily, not just three. The ten minute daily practice is good for maintenance but for someone who is looking for recovery-in my personal experience, it is just not sufficient.
Bhramari and Udgeeth is something I like to practice as well.
Practice yoganidra. I really like the guided one by baba Ramdev.
For Ayurveda check out easy Ayurveda. They offer online consultation. The consultation through email is $8 (https://www.easyayurveda.com/consult/)
You can then buy the herbs on Amazon.
As far as exercise goes I noticed that aerobic exercise helped more. Running or dance videos, anything that gets the heart rate up for 20-25 minutes. Breathe through nose. Check out Butyeko breathing practice as well. (https://innovativemedicine.com/short-guide-breathing-right-buteyko-breathing-method/#:~:text=%20Applying%20Buteyko%20Breathing%20%201%20Normal%20Breath,more%20shallow%20and%20light%20%28~1-2%20seconds%29…%20More%20)
It is important to have a self care routine. In the past I have neglected myself due to sheer lack of having the time and energy for myself, but I cannot stress how important it is for us to have this routine and not letting anything get in the way. So the kriya, pranayams, meditation, exercise and healthy eating should always be part of our daily regimen, even on our very good days. I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.
Edit: Initially I recommended Suryabhedi for depression, but re read your comment. For both anxiety and depression best to practice anulom volom. Don’t do any kumbhaka. Please look up Butyeko on you tube. There are some good videos. Practice for at least 20 minutes is recommended of not more. https://youtu.be/y-VRRDnCldU?list=LLgVTtlO9Zh7gHDyukBdrC3w
Aug 19, 2020 @ 17:51:51
Thanks a lot, Yachna. Really appreciate your detailed response. Follow up question: you had said in an earlier comment that you saw 99% change due to Kriya. Can you describe that change in greater detail? Did you feel back to “normal”? Or happier, calmer more resilient than before? The reason I ask is because I am still unable to have complete faith in the kriya despite small changes I have seen so far. I want to set my expectations accordingly. Thanks!
Aug 19, 2020 @ 19:07:09
When I first decided to start doing the kriya I just surrendered to it. There was no expectation (positive or negative). For 3 months I was just going to pour myself into it and then decide. At first I did not have the strength to sit and do. I did them in a reclining position and used to get very tired doing the 6 rounds. Initially the changes were very subtle. I did notice a very tiny change. Just a glimpse of a sense of humor returning. The changes are very gradual. I felt my mind /nerves were becoming stronger. Mentally and emotionally I felt very uplifted and positive. I stared behaving more like my normal healthy self. The depression and panic attacks just disappeared. I started feeling better than I was even before. Like I said, the changes are very gradual. Do your daily kriya and move on with your normal day to day routines. Don’t dwell or over analyze. One day you will just wonder where it went away.
Aug 20, 2020 @ 12:52:54
Thanks so much. I’ll try to do the same, although its hard not to have any expectations. One last question: as I have continuing obsessive/negative/intrusive thoughts, do they also gradually fade away with daily practice of kriya? I am also chanting ‘om namah shivaya’ everyday and that helps. What are your thoughts on chanting? Does it help?
Aug 20, 2020 @ 19:36:01
In my experience the kriya made my mind more positive and increased my threshold for stress. I enjoy chanting. It helps to ground and center me.
Aug 22, 2020 @ 12:13:18
Also Medha Kwath is considered an excellent brain tonic for nerves.
Oct 29, 2020 @ 08:19:44
Dear Yachna,
Thanks for this brillant post! Is it possible I could connect with you in some way? I need some help and have some queries
Oct 29, 2020 @ 12:40:42
Hello Shubham. Please contact me through the contact form. https://yachnayoga.wordpress.com/contact/
Oct 30, 2020 @ 07:48:15
How many days did you do it to see results? I have been doing it regularly for the last 5 days and have also gone gluten free which has helped me quite a bit. When you say 6 rounds what do you mean? Also I am doing bustrika, om and then the 3 regular rounds of kriya during which i get tired in by the last round. Also my i get goosebumps on my face and feel a bit cold when doing is that normal? Also some abdomin area pain when breathing deeply.
Oct 30, 2020 @ 17:54:30
Three months of daily practice. Sometimes twice a day. I skipped the Bhastrika. Too long and tiring to do the pranayams and also the kriya. I did 6 sets of the slow, medium and fast. So basically the daily 10 minute practice that they recommend x 2. When I first started doing it I felt strange symptoms like coldness in head ( similar to when you drink a cold beverage fast it causes a brain freeze). Use a shawl or light blanket when practicing. I remember feeling a bit cold as well. There were some other sensations as well which I can’t recall but as you practice they will slowly disappear. Make sure you are not practicing after a meal. Maybe you are inhaling too forcefully which could be causing the pain.
Nov 02, 2020 @ 02:46:54
Alright, thank you! I shall definitely continue and do it twice some days too (: