Vritti Pranayama

• Vrtta means action, movement, a course of conduct or method.

• There are two types of vrtti pranayama: samavrtti and visamavrtti. It is the former if the length of time in each inhalation, exhalation and retention of breath is the same, and it is the latter if the length is altered and varied.

Samavrtti pranayama

• Sama means equal, identical or in the same manner. In samavrtti pranayama an attempt is made to achieve uniformity in the duration of all the four processes of breathing, namely, inhalation, retention, exhalation and retention. If the duration of puraka is say five seconds or ten seconds. It should be the same in rechaka and kumbhakas.

• Start smavratti pranayama, conforming only to even duration of inhalation and exhalation.

• Achieve uninformity in length of time, maintaining the perfect soft rhythm in puraka and rechaka.

• Only then, attempt retention of breath after inhalation. At first you will not be able to maintain the same length of time for internal retention as for puraka and rechaka.

• Start the internal retention gradually. At first the ratio of time between the three processes should be kept at 1:1/4:1. Slowly increase the proportions to 1:1/2:1. When this is firmly established, increase to 1:3/4:1. When this becomes easy, then increase the proportion of antara kumbhaka to the ratio of 1:1:1.

• Do not attempt to restrain the breath after full exhalation until you have achieved this ratio.

• Then start external retention gradually. At the beginning, keep the ratio of the time for in-breath, internal retention,out breath and external retention at 1:1:1:1/4. Slowely increase the propotions to 1:1:1:1/2. After this is firmly established, attempt 1:1:1:3/4 and lastly increase the propotions to achieve the ratio of 1:1:1:1.

• Forst practise internal retention seperately, interspacing one antara between three or four cycles of normal breathing. Repeat the antara cycle five or six times. When this becomes easy and comfortable, decrease the interspacing. When this comes with ease, do puraka, antara kubhaka and rechaka without interspersion.

• Gradually decreases the number of cycles in between. Then perform puraka, antara kumbhaka, rechaka and bahya klumbhaka without interspersion.

Visamavrtti Pranayama

• Visama means irregular. Visamavrtti pranayama is so-called because the duration of puraka, antara kumbhaka and bahya kumbhaka are varied. This leads to interrupted rhythm, and the difference in ratio creates difficulty and danger for the pupil unless he is gifted with strong nerves and good lungs.

• First start with inhalation, antara kumbhaka and exhalation only in the ratio of 1:2:1. increases the ratios gradually to 1:3:1, and then to 1:4:1. Then adjust and adopt the ratio to 1:4:1 ¼; 1:4:11/4 and ;1:4:2. when this is mastered, and only then, add bahya kumbhaka gradually in the ratio of 1:4:2:1/4; 1:4:3/4 and 1:4:2:1. These four ratios constitute one cycle of visamavritti pranayama.

• At first the pupil will find it hard to maintain rhythm during rechaka, bahya kumbhaka and puraka , as gasping will ensue. But it all eases with long and uninterrupted practice.

• In visamavrtti pranayama the ideal ratio is as follows: if full inhalation takes five seconds the breath is held for twenty seconds, exhalation takes ten seconds, and bahya kumbhaka five seconds, the ratio being 1:4:2:1.

• When this has been achieved, reverse the process. Inhale for ten seconds, hold for twenty seconds, hold for twenty seconds and exhale for five seconds, the ratio being 2:4:1. Then add bahya kumbhaka 2:4:1:1/4, and gradually increase the duration of bahya kumbhaka ratio to 2:4:1:1/4; 2;4:1:3/4 and 2:4:1:1.

• The length of time can be varied in visamavrtti pranayama in different ratios, as for instance, 1:2:4:1/2; 2:4:1/2:1; 4:1/2:2:1; ½:1:4:2. The permulations and combinations in visamavrtti pranayama are numerous and no mortal can perform all possible combinations in his or her lifetime. An example of such chandra bhedana pranayamas.

Note

• The path of visamavrtti pranayama is fraught with danger. So do not practise it on your own without the personal supervision of an experienced guru.

• Due to different ratios for inhalation, inhalation – retention, exhalation and exhalation-retention, all the systems of the body, especially the respiratory organs, the heart and nerves are overtaxed and strained. This may cause tension in the brain and in the blood vessels, which in turn may create hypertension, restlessness and irritation.

• The caution regarding visamavrtti pranayama and practice of kumbhakas applies with greater force than to samavrtti pranayama. Remember savtmarama's words in his hatha yoga pradipika, that prana should be tamed more gradually than lions, elephants and tigeres; otherwise it will kill the practitioner.

References

The above mentioned information is added from the book called LIGHT ON PRANAYAMA by B.K.S. IYENGAR.