Swara Yoga: The Ancient Science

of Breathing

The Sanskrit word swara means sound or note. It is also a continuous flow of
air through one nostril. Yoga means union, so Swara yoga is a science, which
is realization of cosmic consciousness through control and manipulation of
breath.
Swara Yoga is the science, which is a complete study of observations, control
and manipulation of breath or Swara. Pranayama is only related to the
control of breath in various ways. In Swara yoga, you will find association of

breath in relation to activities of sun, moon, other astral bodies, seasons,

physical and mental conditions of individuals etc. So Swara Yoga is more
comprehensive in theory and practices related to breath.

Applications of Swara Yoga as Per Sanskrti Text Shiva

Swarodaya
Swara yoga is useful while initiating any action starting from waking up in
the morning, having bath, eating, involving in different works, mental
activities, physical activities etc. Swara Yoga touches all parts of human life.

Applications of Swara Yoga

Swara Yoga can be used in winning friends and overcoming enemies
Swara Yoga can be used to gain wealth, prosperity and popularity
Swara Yoga can be used to gain Knowledge of the past, present & future
Achieving sound mental, physical & spiritual health
Swara Yoga is very helpful in Daily Life while exercising, eating, sleeping,
working etc.

Types of Swara
There are 3 main swara, namely
Ida Nadi or Left Swara (Nadi is flow of pranic energy in body)
Pingala Nadi or Right Swara
Sushumna or third Swara.

Ida Nadi or Left Swara

It refers to the breath through the left nostril and is located on the left side
of the spinal cord. It represents the moon, the female energy or Shakti
principle. It is considered to be auspicious, smooth and virtuous. The Left
Swara is associated with mental activities, parasympathetic nervous system
or relaxation.
It is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain. It is connected to the
left hemisphere of the brain. It is considered as rough and non virtuous. It is
active during the bright fortnight (15 days starting from next day of no moon
to full moon day). One can gain fruitful results when Left Swara is active on
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday.
The active Zodiac signs during Lunar flow are tauras, cancer, virgo, scorpio,
capricorn, pisces. When the Left Swara is active, one should perform all
auspicious, stable, permanent actions such as purchasing jewellery, clothes,
going on a journey, construction of house, office, temple, marriages,
religious rights, peaceful work, treating incurable diseases etc.

Pingla Nadi or Right Swara

It refers to the breath through the right nostril and is located on the right
side of the spinal cord. It represents the sun, the male or Consciousness
principle. The right swara is associated with Pranic activities (physical
activities), sympathetic nervous system(fight or flight response or stress
response).
Its dominance can be felt during the dark fortnight (15 days from the next
day of full moon to no moon). Right Swara gives fruitful results Sunday,
Saturday, Tuesday and the Zodiac signs active during the Solar flow are
aries, aquarious, libra, Gemini and Sagittarius.

Right Swara is considered as rough, non virtuous so one can perform

inauspicious tasks such as extreme tantric techniques, mean actions, wars,
sensual pleasures, captivatind women etc., successfully during this period.
Besides these, one can also perform physical exercises like working with
dynamism, and mental activities such as solving mathematics during this
period as it is linked with the consciousness principle.

Third Swara Sushumna

It represents Shiva (pure consciousness) in the state of So-Ham. It is
located at the center of the spinal cord. The Third Swara or Sushumna is
said to be active when the Left and Right Swara flow together. No worldly
action is recommended during this period as work gives no result. Sushumna
indicates non-attachment to the mundane things. Meditation is
recommended when this Swara is active.

Rhythms of Swara
Each Swara (Left and Right ) becomes active alternatively. Each Swara is
active for about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on every individual on individual,
and after the second Swara starts flowing, this cycle continues during day
and night. These Swara Activities are related to Moon phases. Generally for
healthy people the Swara should change at the time of sunrise and sunset.
The Lunar / Left Swara is active during the first three days of bright fortnight
at sunrise. The Solar / Right swara is active during the first three days of the
dark fortnight at sunrise.

Readjusting the Swara

Close active nostril with finger or cotton wool

Inhale through active nostril & exhale through inactive

Apply pressure to the armpit of the active nostril
Lie down on the same side of the active nostril
Cold bath or hot water changes the Swara
Food consumed changes Swara
Chilli, ginger Solar / right Swara
Yogurt, bananas left / lunar Swara

Swara Indication Physical & Mental activities

Common Cold:
Common cold indicates dominating Left Swara, which indicates cold. One can
change this dominating Left Swara to Right Swara and cure the common cold
or other diseases.
Acidity:
If Right Swara dominates, it indicates the person will suffer from either
acidity or fever. Right Swara is hot in nature.
Swara Yoga is still an unexplored area and lot of scientific research needs to
be carried out before all facts and exact relation of Swara and physical and
mental activities can be established.