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Pillars · 1969

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha

by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Eastern Energy Systems

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha is a systematic manual of tantric and pranic yoga produced through the Bihar School of Yoga. It presents the practice of yoga as an integrated discipline of posture, breath, energy locks, and gesture aimed at the cultivation and direction of prana, the subtle life-force.

The text proceeds methodically through asana, pranayama, mudra, and bandha, mapping the chakras, kundalini, and the energetic anatomy of the subtle body. Its companion practice of yoga nidra brings the practitioner to the threshold of sleep while remaining conscious, where a sankalpa, or resolve, may be planted in a receptive state.

Within the eastern energy systems tradition the work is doubly significant: it transmits the Indian subtle-energy paradigm and, through the hypnagogic, suggestible states of yoga nidra and the planting of intention, parallels the affirmation and visualization methods central to later mind-power teaching.

Practices it teaches

Trataka — steady gazing (candle flame) into one-pointed concentration

Trataka (Sanskrit, "to gaze steadily") is fixed, unwavering gazing at a single small point — most commonly a candle flame — until the eyes water, followed by closing the eyes and holding the bright after-image at…

Lineage

What it drew on
Swami Sivanandatantra, kundalini, and pranayama traditionsclassical yoga and Vedanta
What it shaped
Bihar School of Yoga worldwidemodern yoga nidra and guided-relaxation practiceWestern kundalini and pranic-energy teaching

The author

Swami Satyananda Saraswati Swami Satyananda SaraswatiYoga nidra; tantra and pranic energy Full voice →

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