Clarifying Concepts - Men, Women, and Pranayama

While the subtle channels of Ida and Pingala polarity are physically mirrored between men and women, Pranayama is a closed circuit. Because every single round requires inhaling and exhaling through both nostrils equally, the complete cycle rebalances both solar and lunar forces regardless of which side initiates the breath. The standard format taught in THE YELLOW BOOK provides a harmony that is beneficial during both the individual and the group practice.

Because one complete round of Pranayama consists of inhalation, retention, and exhalation through BOTH channels (TON-SA-HAM / TON-RA-HAM), the exercise is fundamentally alternating; starting with the left or right nostril is merely a starting point for an ongoing loop.  When a man starts inhaling with the right nostril (PINGALA), he brings up solar atoms; when the woman starts with the right nostril (IDA), she brings up lunar atoms, which is a perfect alchemical concordance: the Man is represented by the SUN and the Woman, by the MOON.

By completing full rounds, both the Solar (Pingala) and Lunar (Ida) atoms are systematically stimulated, elevated, and harmonized at the base of the spine (Church of Ephesus) regardless of which nostril opens the sequence.  But what is key here, as with any other practice, is to bring consciousness into it.  To vibrantly harmonize objective imagination and willpower.  If the exercise is done mechanically, when we allow ourselves to mentally drift back into our daydreams, we are “no longer there”; rather, we will be (as Samael says) “wherever our consciousness is”.

That said, specific to the practice of the Tibetan Exercises of Rejuvenation, it is perfectly fine to follow the guidance provided in the Third Rite: “Shut your left nostril by placing the index finger of your right hand on it, then inhale air through the right nostril…”

Samael clarified that it is irrelevant whether we as men or women start with the right or left nostril (certainly a paraphrase, and no offense is meant to the Great Masters), as many students were getting caught up in the mental concept.  Being consumed by the force of countertransference, many have chosen not to do any pranayama at all because “not clear”, and we must ultimately become “100% practical”.