3 Most Powerful Yoga Pranayamas and Kriyas – Sodarshan Chakra Kriya – Part 1
Sodarshan Chakra Kriya – Part 1
Most Powerful Yoga Pranayama Free Video
Sodarshan Chakra Kriya Video
YouTube Direct Link –> Kundalini Yoga Kriya Video – Sodarshan Chakra Kriya
Pranayama, the science of breathing and breath control, is undoubtedly one of the greatest arts one can learn and practice for spiritual growth and personal development. It holds within itself the power to transform the lowest most gross to the highest most refined. This transforming power of pranayama can act upon any and all levels of your being, whether that be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual (energetic). This science has been perfected over the centuries in the East and was mostly kept secret, only handed down verbally from Guru to a deserving disciple. Now, it is much more available to those who seek it, but I still feel that the knowledge really only finds those who are deserving of it. Having said that, life has brought you here now, so take this opportunity and discover the tremendous power of the Science of Pranayama.
The 3 Pranayamas I am going to present here are typically not for beginners. Fortunately, all 3 have modifications, which you can start out with first before building up to the advanced techniques. I will also present these modifications here and I strongly suggest you start with them first before jumping ahead to the advanced techniques. In moving forward sanely, gently and systematically you will prepare the system to better handle the affects of the advanced forms. This systematic approach is not only much safer, but is also better for extracting the full benefits of the pranayamas. Part 1 of this series is about Sodarshan Chakra Kriya. Before I go into Sodarshan Chakra Kriya, I want to give some quick guidelines that should be followed for all 3 pranayamas in this series.
Basic Guidelines for practicing Pranayama:
- Do not practice any advanced pranayama if you are unwell. Only do light easy pranayamas.
- Clothing should be loose and should not restrict the movement of the abdomen. Our breathing is already very shallow, we don’t need to compound the issue further by hampering the natural movement of our diaphragm.
- Your stomach should be empty. Which means you need to wait at least 2-3 hours after a meal before practicing pranayama.
- If possible practice in the early morning. Early morning is the best time to practice your sadhana (spiritual work). For more information and help on this you can read The Secret on How to Become an Early Riser.
- You should sit in a comfortable position, preferably in some variation of cross legged (sukh asana). For more information on sukh asana or other positions you can sit in (like a chair) see Silent Mind Meditation Program: Basic Meditations – Chapter 7.
- Most importantly, DO NOT STRAIN. I cannot emphasize that enough. Take your time, you will enjoy your practice more and you will be able to establish a regular routine as you will not dread doing your daily work.
- One last thing. The pranayamas being taught here, when practiced sincerely over time, can bestow great power to the practitioner. Normally, these techniques were not transcribed and as mentioned earlier, were taught only to those held in great trust, so I ask you to respect that trust and agree to not in any way misuse the powers obtained from the practices described below.
Sodarshan Chakra Kriya:
Background: Sodarshan Chakra Kriya (set) was taught to me by my Kundalini Yoga teacher Ravi Singh who studied it under the guidance of Yogi Bhajan. It dates back a few thousand years and is reputed among all the known Yogas, including Kundalini Yoga, to be the most powerful Pranayama exercise there is. You will notice that it is called a kriya, although a kriya typically is a complete set of asanas and yogic exercises (see Introduction to Kundalini Yoga for more information on kriyas and how Kundalini Yoga works in general), it also applies in some cases to a single exercise, which is very complete in and of itself. Sodarshan Chakra Kriya is a pranayama exercise that is exactly that, very complete and also very powerful.
Benefits of Sodharshan Chakra Kriya: The superlatives describing Sodarshan Chakra Kriya are lavish to say the least. In Yoga terms it will give you Nao Niddhi (the nine precious virtues) and Artha Siddhi (the 18 occult powers). These 27 facets contain all of human life and in acquiring them you perfect all that can be perfected in a human. Given this Kriya’s reputation for bestowing Psychic and Yogic Powers, it is is often practiced by those interested in acquiring these siddhis (powers). There is no harm in this, as long the powers are used for the benefit of others and to assist you in your spiritual progress. This kriya, though, is equally valuable to those interested in the final goal of human life – to see and merge with the Divine Non-Dual nature of Reality. This is because, it is very effective in dissolving the blockages (granthis) caused by frozen emotional debris in the nadis (the channels for the movement of Kundalini Energy) and as the channels are purified greater flow of kundalini is facilitated allowing for the chakras (energy vortexes) to be activated and balanced. In turn, the activation of the chakras and this greater flow of Kundalini Shakti (energy) leads to the refinement of awareness which allows one to penetrate the veil of illusion – that Reality consists of duality.
Sodarshan Chakra Kriya also dramatically improves your physical wellbeing. In fact, as you practice it you will start to feel quite invincible over time. It expands your nervous system, respiratory system and helps your digestive system. I find that the most profound health benefit is a boost to the immune system when I practice this kriya regularly. Overall the kriya promotes peace, joy and strength.
Description of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: Sit up straight, have your spine erect and bring head back slightly (not up) so your chin is subtly drawn in and back like a soldier at attention. This aligns your spine with the back of your head and is also called Jalandhara Bandha. Your eyes should be 1/10th open looking down at the tip of your nose. Rest your left hand on your left knee. Block your right nostril with your right thumb and have the remaining fingers pointing upwards. Now breathe in deeply through the left nostril filling your lungs to capacity. Lower your right hand now and place it on your right knee. With your breath held in (Antar Kumbhaka) begin to pump your stomach (pulling in the abdominal muscles) to the mantra “Wahay Guru”. You will pump your stomach 3 times for each iteration of Wahay Guru. Once for Wa, once for Hay and once for Guru. The mantra should be chanted mentally of course, since the breath is held in. Chant for a total of 16 Wahay Gurus, so for a total of 48 stomach pumps with the breath held in. Then raise your right hand, close off the left nostril with your right pinkie and breathe out of your right nostril. This completes 1 cycle – breathe in through left nostril, hold and pump, breathe out through right nostril. Continue to repeat this cycle for the duration of the kriya.
Duration: There is no formal time duration for Sodarshan Chakra Kriya; it is left up to the practitioner to determine what is right for them. Below I will give the recommendations when I discuss the modifications.
Beginners Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: Modify kriya as follows: Do only 1 pump for each chant of Wahay Guru. So in total with your breath held in you will do 16 pumps per cycle. Also, reduce the force of the pump to where you are comfortable. Start with 3 minutes and build up to 11 minutes. The kriya should be practiced daily.
Intermeditates Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: Modify kriya as follows: Do only 2 pumps for each chant of Wahay Guru. One for Wahay and one for Guru. So in total you will do 32 pumps with your breath held in per cycle. Pump your stomach with a moderate force. You should try to do 11 minutes, then go to 22 minutes and then to 31 minutes daily.
Advanced Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: Do the kriya as described above in the description section. You should be pumping your stomach with full force and you should do 31 minutes daily. The commitment should be to do 40 days without missing a day, 31 minutes each day. This was exactly the requirement by Ravi for his Kundalini Yoga teacher’s training course as well. If you miss a day, you go back to 1 and start over till you complete 40 days.
Perfected Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: Yes there is more, you are not done yet :-D. To do the perfect and complete kriya and thus extract the maximum benefit and reach super human caliber, the requirement is to do 62 minutes per day and build it up to 2 1/2 hours everyday. If you can discipline yourself to do that, the kriya will provide everything needed in all areas of your life.
Design of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya: This kriya bestows its many blessings by taking full advantage of many important aspects of Pranayama and Yoga numerology. Below are some of the details behind this successful design.
- Breathing in through the left nostril activates the right hemisphere of the brain. This hemisphere is responsible for your meditative, creative and artistic powers. Activating it helps unleash and grow these aspects of your nature.
- The number 16 is associated with the Ajna Chakra, also know as the Third Eye, Divine Eye or the Eye of Shiva. Chanting the mantra Wahay Guru 16 times activates Ajna Chakra, which is responsible for many psychic abilities and the power of intuition and wisdom.
- The mantra itself, Wahay Guru, means ecstasy beyond words and represents one’s higher consciousness. Chanting this mantra attracts this divine energy towards one.
- Pumping the navel helps ignite and awaken Kundalini Shakti so she can make her ascent up the primary Nadi (Shushumna) all the up to the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra) activating, rejuvenating, balancing and healing all the other Chakras and associated organs in her path.
In part 2 and 3 of this series I will describe and detail 2 more powerful Yoga Pranayamas that I hope will be of value to you in your spiritual growth and personal development.
Hi Anmol,
I want to ask you some freaky questions. I’m sorry if I sound rude. And yes, I’m desperately waiting for your reply, really.
1. Have You attained Enlightenment/Liberation/Moksha/Nirvana/Salvation/etc. If not then what’s left?
2. What are the psychic powers that You possess. Can You levitate in air. Can you contact anybody thru telepathy?
3. Are Hindu gods real, ie do they really exist in person? Or they are just personifications?
4. What can be the most powerful help to stop Me from having sexual thoughts?
5. AND THE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION : WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE MYSELF GROW TALLER. ANYTHING/EVERYTHING?
Please reply.
Hi Oz,
Great to hear you have benefited from this pranayama. It is indeed life transforming :-).
Happy to be of service.
Best,
Anmol
Thank you, this pranayama is amazing. I feel so happy and rejuvenated doing it. This has changed my life. Thank you
Just finished day 40 of Sodarshan with astounding results..I’m practicing day at a time..1000 day is my goal..The science of Breath has been life changing..God bless you anmol.
hi anmol,
firstly thank you so much for this website, this is my first time to learn yoga and it so wonderful :).
My condition is…
MENTALLY: Either social anxiety or avoidant personality disorder and some obsessive tendency.
I also keep recalling negative memories which depress me alot.
PHYSICALLY: Under weight, low blood pressure and brain fog.
I went through the hypnosis therapy somehow it cure my anxiety but did not help my depression.
So i trying the 40 days of SCK and zazen on daily.
I already completed 40 days by starting 15 minutes toward 31 minutes with 48 pumps
My experience is day 1 until day 33, i feel so difficult to hold my breath as well as pump the navel.
the situation getting worse when i have negative thought during the session, i have to take few
breath before move to next round. anyhow i still manage to force myself to completed the session.
When on day 34, i fell more easy to pump and only feel little pressure to hold the breath. And after this,
it become more and more easy. Now i continue to do SCK and able to completed it without effort,
i even try pump faster, exhale and hold a while before inhale.
It doesn’t give me any difficulty to do next round [just for testing, i always practise with middle way :)].
i found that the more it become easy to do SCK, the more it become easy to deal with
negative thought. now i even can smile with the negative thought :D.
But i still have the brain fog problem, especially when talk to people.
any advice to deal with this?
Hi Sruthi,
I have sent you email with techniques.
Best,
Anmol
Hi Sean,
Glad you are enjoying the website. Yes inhale only left, then exhale through right. No inhaling through right.
Best,
Anmol
Are we only to inhale through the left nostril during this meditation? Thank you, your website inspires me everyday
pranam anmol sir,i am really very much delighted on having your guidance for acheiving psychic powers.they really help me acheiving many good things.i want you to send me more and more such pranayamas to build up myself.sir,i have a lot anger and always short tempered.plz mail me some tips to lose the anger and get very good manners as early as possible.sir,please dont mistake me for a bad girl.my parents say that if i lose the anger,i will be the very good girl forever.as i beleive and follow what ever you say, i want you to give me necessary steps as early as possible.
I would like to begin your class. Thank you.
Anmol Bhai,
Your website is an “Anmol” treasure; an oasis for every thirsty seeker, an elixir for every tired soul!
Kind regards, Om Shanti,
Namaste!
Dev Prana
(previously known as “Safir (Sam) Ahmed”
Author of “Spiritual Quest of a Baby Yogi”
I have a question regarding counting. I usually use my right hand, which is resting on my knees to count the 16 WaHeGurus (I touch my thumb to each finger joint). However, how about just keeping my right hand on my knees and internally focusing each chakra. Or is that too much? My eyes would remain looking at the tip of my nose still.
Greetings Anmol,
I’m on day 20 of SCK after doing about 2 weeks of 3-22 mins sessions and then going at it for 31 mins with 3 pumps after. The past few days were filled with what I would describe as a really really pleasant state. And just like Susan, I’ve been having some weird dreams too.
Today as I was doing my session I felt really breathless. I had moments like this prior to today but not to this extent. I usually just take a few breaths to calm down and I’m back on track, but today I had to continuously take breaks throughout.
Along with this, I had this sensation around the pelvic area which stretched downwards. I’ll do my best to describe it. It felt like a ball of fear, anger, frustration, grief and some other stuff probably. The color of it seems grayish, at least that’s what comes to mind when I think of it. It intensified just before the point where I had to stop and take a few breaths. After a couple of times, I decided I wouldn’t stop for a break this time and just continue because I was determined to bring this thing up and face it. This time the sensation got so intense I wanted to just get up and smash something. The urge was pretty strong to say the least. I didn’t of course but instead took a break and then continued again reassuring myself that I can clear this. I didn’t get to though as my alarm signalling 31 mins was over went off.
The sensation is still present in the area and I can feel it even as I’m typing right now. Each time I focus on it feelings of anger and frustration start welling up again. Now that I think of it, I think it’s been there for a very large portion of my life, only now it’s really apparent. I am really glad this is coming up and out and I’m determined to clear this up from my life.
I would really like to hear your views, opinions, suggestion etc Anmol, or anyone for that matter.
Thank you for sharing such a gem Anmol. This has come to me after a period of hell, worst of which I’ve ever gone through in my life up to this point. God bless you and your loved ones, as well as all who come here.
Love and peace,
Yu
Hello Anmol bhai,
want to know how many cycles per 15 mins can an average & expert person perform?
Sat Nam Anmol,
I just wanted to say that I am on day 1033 now, not missing one day of sodarshan chakry kriya so far.
My advice for all beginners and advanced is ‘keep up, your spiritual path will be cleared and cleaned up!’
Blessings Sotantar Singh
thank you Trupti
msblue,
It is not uncommon to have such experiences. Just proceed nice and steady and let things blossom.
Trupti
Neerajana,
Most common side affect is too much heat in the body.
The other two powerful pranayams are Anuloma Viloma, advanced version and Golden Nugget.
All the best,
Trupti
Bhaskar,
After doing SCK you need to rest in corpse pose. After rest you can continue your practice and do BOF. Careful of generating too much heat with this combo though….
Trupti
I am doing the 31 min of SCK daily and am about half-way through. sometimes when my eyes are closed and even when open, it seems like there are swirls of colours. It is pleasant. I’ve noticed this phenomena since i started meditating about 15-20 years ago. but a few days ago, i had this CONTINUOUSLY for several hours. it feel peaceful and i felt light-headed. Is this something that usually happens?