Matuse Family: Stephen Kimberley MD

A shot of Dr. Kimberley gliding at a spot north of PV in Mexico last month.

Tumo Take Two – Kriya Yoga Pranayama – Hamsa Swan Breathing

This powerful breathing technique is thousands of years old and has been used by adepts in various yogic sects to arrest aging and rejuvenate the physical body. It is also an integral part of mystic heat (Tumo) practice and a very rapid path to Samadhi (expanded cosmic consciousness) and it is said that practicing this breath 20,000 times brings one to enlightenment. This can be done over time, or you can reach Samadhi if you practice it 1,726 times in one sitting! Ouch. Nonetheless it can be practiced while driving or sitting in the lineup waiting for a set at the Cold Water Classic.

The basic principle is this; a key female focus (Shakti) of the energy body resides in the tailbone area, or coccyx. This is a cooler energy repository compared to the fiery male energy (Shiva) that is focused in the crown chakra (top of the head). There is also a yin/yang center in the crown chakra that allows for the blending of male and female energy and is often represented by the black and white swirling yin/yang symbol.

Normally when we breathe we circulate the male energy up the body and the female energy down, or we just chaotically shift energy around based on emotions and desires without any clear pattern. This type of breathing wears the body down over time and allows for lower vibration energies to accumulate in the lower chakras and drive behavior and moods. This is devolutionary rather than evolutionary, so the challenge is to transmute and elevate the coarser energies into pure spiritual energy (prana) that enlightens the heart and mind.

Hamsa Swan Breathing reverses the normal devolutionary flow and in so doing cleans the various energy channels (nadis) and centers (chakras). It also balances body energies left to right and nurtures the various vital organs. It is called swan breathing because the outline of the energy movement up the back, to the bridge of the nose, and down the front of the body resembles a swan-neck. It is powerful, but really can’t be overused or abused as it tends toward natural regulation. In other words, do it as often and as long as you can and you will always benefit from it. Not a bad deal.

The key is using the ‘prana mind’ (energy mind) to move energy in the body with the breath. This is accomplished through intention and visualization – don’t be discouraged if you can’t actually ‘see’ what you are intending to visualize. Just the intention is enough to get things moving, but over time you will be able to feel the energy move and may see colors or other internal visual phenomena along with the energy shifts.
(1) On the in breath, internally intone the HAM syllable while visualizing energy in the tailbone area moving up the spine, over the top of the head and into the spot between the eyebrows. This energy is called ‘tig-le’ and can then be seen as a drop of pearlescent energy-substance.
(2) On the exhale, internally intone the SAH syllable while feeling and actively visualizing the energy moving from the third eye area down the front area of the body and collecting in the navel chakra (which is also called tan tien).

Repeat the process as many times as you can, always bringing the attention back to the tailbone area and all the way up and around as described.

As you go, try and slow down the breathing into a nice smooth circle with a pause at the top and bottom of the breath. With a little effort and dedication this breath will bring great rewards in terms of longevity, rejuvenation, and lasting joy. The longer you do it, the greater the benefit. It can be used at any time – while working, resting, exercising or meditating.