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In Sanskrit, the
word Kha indicates Brahman or the Supreme Reality and Chara
means to move. Kechari Mudra helps the practitioner to move in the
blissful infinite consciousness of Brahman. Kechari is an advanced
practice that enables the yogi to reach higher states of consciousness.
Kechari Mudra is mentioned in Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga
Pradeepika and various other yogic and tantric texts.
Kechari mudra is a yoga practice where the tongue is rolled up to touch
the soft palate. This is an advanced practice and the yogi is said to
overcome thirst, hunger, decay and death by this practice. For most
people this needs prolonged effort. The tongue can be rolled up to
touch the upper palate. Initially it may be able to touch only the hard
palate. With practice, it can go further behind to touch the soft palate.
Later it can touch the uluva at the back of the throat. With practice, the
tongue can go beyond the uluva and enters the nasal cavity to
stimulate certain points inside the cavity. This may take months or
years of practice. Eventually the yogi is able to taste the nectar (or
amrit) which flows from the roof of the nasal cavity. This nectar
energizes the body and helps to overcome the need for thirst and food.
There are two ways to perform Kechari mudra, with or without cutting
the frenum membrane under the tongue. In the Raja Yoga method,
cutting the frenum is not advised. Instead, with certain practices, the
tongue can be made long enough to enter the nasal cavity. In Hatha
Yoga method, the frenum membrane below the tongue is cut bit by bit
to extend the tongue. This enables the tongue to easily pass into the
nasal cavity The Hatha Yoga technique is only for advanced yogis and
should be done only under the guidance of a yogi, who is an expert in
Kechari Mudra.
to touch the upper palate. See how far back it can go. Initially it
may touch the hard palate. Some may be able to touch the soft
palate with the first try itself. Keep the tongue there for as long as
comfortable. Initially one may be able to keep it for less than a
minute. When the tongue starts to pain, release the tongue and
bring it back to normal position. Rest for some time and try again.
This process can be tried even when you are engaged in light
activities while sitting and walking.
2. The above process should be continued and one will be able to hold
the tongue on the palate for a prolonged duration.
3. With practice, the tongue will be able to go further back. Some day it
will touch the uluva at the back of the throat. With further
practice, the tongue will be able to negotiate the uluva and go
behind it.
4. Next the tongue enters the nasal cavity. One should be able to hold it
there for at least few minutes. One can breathe normally during
this process. As you progress, the breathing rate will go down to 5
8 breaths per minute or even lower.
5. Once inside the nasal cavity, the tongue can stimulate certain nerve
centers that are connected to the brain. It is said that constant
churning of the tongue produces a liquid that emanates from the
roof of the cavity. The taste of the liquid varies. Initially, it may be
salty which has o be spit out. Later the juice turns sweet and
finally amrit or nectar is produced. This nectar is consumed by
the yogi and it nourishes the body.
For advanced practitioners, cutting of the frenum membrane is
advised. In the Gheranda Samhita, it is said that the frenum can be
cut, bit by bit. The tongue is also drawn out and made elongated by
applying butter or ghee. This is continued till the tongue is long enough
to reach the eye brow center. This requires the guidance from an
expert yogi who is accomplished in the art of Kechari Vidya. Do not
attempt it by yourself.
Kechari can be practiced in conjunction with other yoga practices like
Ujjayi pranayama, Sambhavi mudra and other meditation techniques.
conscious state.
5. The secretions when consumed give great benefits to the body.
6. Kechari Mudra is also used by yogis to do astral travelling. The mudra
helps the yogi to detach the astral body from the physical body
and travel in the astral planes.
7. Kechari Mudra is considered the king among all the mudras and is
given great importance in all the ancient yogic texts.
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