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Shiva and Prana Yoga
April 22, 2016 by Vamadeva Shastri

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Shiva and Prana Yoga from Shiva, the Lord of Yoga, by David Frawley

Prana Yoga is one of the most important Yoga traditions and an integral part of the worship of Lord Shiva,
who represents the highest immortal Prana of pure consciousness beyond time, space and karma.

Shiva and the Unitary Prana

Shiva is the unitary prana behind the dualistic movements of the breath as inhalation and exhalation or
the dualistic movements of the mind through attraction and repulsion. To reach the higher Prana of Shiva
we must first balance the ordinary dualities of prana, energy and emotion within ourselves.

This unitary prana flows in a state of balance and peace. If we can merge into that prana we can go beyond
the breath, which is to go beyond life and death. The unitary Prana of Shiva is the prana of prana, the
breath behind the breath. The unitary breath of Shiva pervades all space and light. It is the basis of the
universal life.

Sounds of the Breath as Sounds of Shiva

The breath reflects certain natural sounds that connect to certain letters of the alphabet. Most important
of pranic sounds are the s-sounds and h-sounds that have a hissing or air type quality, such as the yogic
Prana mantra Soham. Inhalation as a drawing in of energy reflects the mantra So, while exhalation and the
release of energy marks the mantra Ham. So indicates receptive or lunar energy, while Ham reflects
projective or solar energy. Soham is also a Shiva mantra.

The Yogi works to balance the Soham current within. This can be done in two primary ways. The first is to
expand these natural energies with So as inhalation and Ham as exhalation. The second is to reverse these
energies with Ham as inhalation and Sa as exhalation. The Soham approach reflects a nurturing lunar
energy. The Hamsa approach reflects a purifying solar energy. Both have their places in Yoga practice. Shiva
is not only Soham but also Hamsa.

Once inhalation and exhalation are balanced, they become withdrawn into an inner peace. Then these
same sounds Hamsa Soham continue to reverberate within the spine and the sushumna as the natural
sounds of the Self, Soham He am I, and Ham Sa, I am He, referring to the Supreme Self. These sounds
can also develop into Shivoham, I am Shiva. This is the inner flow of the non-dualistic breath, which is the
breath of Shiva.

Shiva Prana Yoga Practices

There are many Prana Yoga traditions connected to Lord Shiva. They are reflected in several Yoga practices.

Nadi Shodhana
Alternate nostril breathing is the main practice for balancing the pranic energies within us. It can be
used to balance the right and left or solar and lunar nadis, as well as the Agni and Soma energies in the
body overall or in the different chakras. Use the mantra Ham for breathing through the right nostril
and Sa or So for breathing through the left (So for inhalation and Sa for exhalation).
Hamsa Soham Pranayama
As Shiva is prana, the natural sound of the breath is the Name of Shiva. Follow the natural sounds of
the breath as Hamsa or Soham, He am I or I am He (referring to our Shiva nature). Or simply
Shivoham or I am Shiva. Hamsa is more solar and Soham more lunar in its energy. The same mantras
can be used to hold the Prana in the Sushumna. Internally chant Hamsa Soham while meditating in
silence and holding the awareness in the spine.
Yoga Nidra the Sleep of Shiva
This consists of withdrawing into our inner core prana and consciousness or the state of Shiva that
holds all knowledge and all power. It is the ultimate practice of Pratyahara.
The Breath of the Witness Sakshi Prana
Consciously observing the breath, one moves into the state of the seer, which is the immortal witness
beyond the breath. One enters into the unitary power of consciousness that is beyond birth and
death, breath and no breath. Learn to recognize your inner awareness as the breath behind the
breath.

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