Swara yoga is the science of understanding the union of breath vibrations. It deals with the interaction between cosmic rhythms and individual breath patterns. Breath links the individual body to the cosmic body. Swara yoga emphasizes how the first and last breaths activate certain elements that influence one's life and reincarnation. It differs from pranayama in that it manipulates breath rhythms rather than controlling breath. Practicing swara yoga can attune one to natural rhythms and achieve self-awareness.

1. SWARA YOGA
Dr. Shamanthakamani Narendran
M.D. (pead), Ph.D. (yoga science)

2. • Swara means “the sound of one’s own breath”
• Sound creates vibrations. Yoga means ‘union’.
Swarayoga is the science of understanding
the union of different vibrations of breath.
• Swara Yoga is the union of three important sciences
science
– Yoga – Hatha yoga, Raja yoga, Jnana yoga
and Kundalini Yoga
– Astrology – yogic astrology and yoga vastu
– Ayurveda
• Swara Yoga is different from Pranayama.

3. Swara Yoga is the science of breath:
• Deals with interaction between cosmic rhythm
and individual pranic patterns in each person
• Rhythms create specific physical, mental and
emotional patterns
• It alters the state of consciousness at all levels i.e., conscious,
subconscious and unconscious
• Breath is the linking force between The Pinda and
The Brahmanda: the individual body and the cosmic body
• It places emphasis on the first breath of life as it
activates certain elements which are dominant in one’s life
• Last breath of one’s life activates elements which are responsible for
reincarnation

4. Ancient Concepts of Swara yoga
• Dual nature of our personality is symbolized
as ‘Ardhanariishwara- half Shiva and half Shakti finds place
in Swara yoga where nasal cycle is connected with
the brain hemispheres
• Right nostril is connected to left hemisphere and vice versa
• Flow of Pingala(right nostril) – left hemisphere is active, flow of
ida(left nostril) – right hemisphere is active
Example:
• Verbal efficiency is greater when breathing is primarily in the right
• Spatial skills is enhanced during left nostril dominance

5. Application of Swara yoga in daily lives
• Right hemisphere (governed by Ida nadi) stimulates creative,
artistic and musical abilities
• Left hemisphere (governed by pingala nadi) stimulates rational,
analytical, logical and mathematical intellect
• Left nostril dominance stimulates Pineal gland –
psychic phenomenon such as clairvoyance, telepathy, precognitio
controlled by pineal gland
• If both hemispheres of the brain and both the nadis can be
used together, then all the forces can be combined for creative
and productive work

6. Applications of Swara yoga:
• Swara Yoga Sadhana on rising in the morning
• When you get up in the morning, check your nostrils for flow of
breath. Touch that side of the face with that hand on which
side the nostril is active
Example:
• If the right nostril flow is stronger, then touch the right side of
the face with your right palm. Put that foot on the ground first
which corresponds to the nostril which is flowing
• Go to the toilet when the right nostril is flowing and urinate
when the left is flowing
• Eat meals when the right nostril is flowing and drink water
when the left is flowing
• Go to bed at night when the right nostril is flowing and rise
when the left is flowing

7. Benefits of Swara Yoga to Sadhaka
• By practicing swara yoga one can become aware of subtle
changes which take place all the time in the body and mind
• By becoming aware of these patterns, a sadhaka can experience
consciousness behind these subtle changes and understand the
dual nature of the universe
• Deeper psychic being can be experienced through this practice
and unite the ida and pingala nadis that lead to the awakening of
the sushumna
• Swara yoga is a practical science that can help us to get attuned
to cosmic rhythms and to maximise the potential of breath
The glorious and valuable science of swara yoga should be utilised
by all sadhakas to improve the quality of their lives.

8. Advantages of Swara Yoga
• One can learn to do right thing at right time
• Bring balance and order in life
• Learn to be relaxed and conscious of own state of being before starting an
activity
• You learn to live in constant awareness of inner and outer world
• You learn to attune to natural rhythms
• One can become free from all kinds negative influences and achieve
awareness
• One can learn physical and pranic healing

9. How is Swara Yoga different from Pranayama
• Swara yoga deals with manipulation of breath while Pranayama is
related to control of breath
• Swara Yoga stresses on the analysis of breath and significance of
different pranic rhythms whereas Pranayama involves techniques
to control the prana

10. Acknowledgement:
• Bihar School of Yoga
• SVyasa