Agnisar Kriya

AGNISAR KRIYA

The Sanskrit word agni means ‘fire’; sara means ‘essence’ and kriya means ‘action’. Of course there is no fire, as such, in the stomach, but the essence or nature of fire can be compared to the digestive process. If the abdominal organs are not working properly, then the digestive fire smolders. Digestion is not as good as it should be; the fire needs to be fanned or stoked. In other words, the process of digestion needs to be kindled and aroused to encourage the best possible digestive power. Agnisar kriya does just this. It makes the digestive fire blaze.

Abdominal malfunction are common ailments among many people. The causes are often due to lack of exercise and inadequate massage of the internal organs. Many of us spend long periods of time sitting motionless doing office work, studying, watching television and other activities that require little or no physical effort. This leads to laziness and sluggishness of the entire body, including the abdominal organs. For this reason, the organs become inefficient and unable to perform their basic functions properly, leading to general bad health, whether conspicuous or inconspicuous.

In the  case of the abdominal organs, sluggishness leads to indigestion, constipation, kidney and liver problems and various other common ailments of the abdomen. Agnisar kriya is a powerful method of counteracting this condition, for it vigorously contracts and expands the abdomen, giving the internal organs the massage and exercise that they require in order to carry out their functions in the best way.

Ancient Technique 1 :

Sit in Varjasana. Separate the knees as widely as possible keeping the toes in contact with each other. Place the hands on the knees. Open the  mouth and extend the tongue. Then contract and expand the abdomen while simultaneously breathing in and out. The movement of the abdomen should be rapid, but at the same time ensure that the contractions and expansion are as full as possible. This is 1round. Rest for a short time, then repeat.

Technique 2: Advanced form

This technique gives the greatest massage of the abdominal organs. It can be practiced in vajrasana, padmasana or a standing position. It is similar to techniques 1, but the breath is held while pulling in and pushing out the abdomen.

Breath in deeply, then exhale, emptying your lungs as much as possible by fully drawing in the abdomen. Without breathing, try to push your abdomen outwards. Then contract your abdomen again. Be careful not to strain yourself by holding your breath too long. Then breathe in. This is 1 round.

Mistakes to Avoid:

Sometime in stages 1 the breath is not synchronized with the movement. Try to harmonize the breath with the movement and keep a constant rhythm throughout the practice.

Time of Practice:

Do not practice Agnisar kriya with a full stomach. Wait until three or four hours have elapsed after a meal. The best time to practice is early in the morning before breakfast, preferably after going to the toilet.

Limitations:

Those people with high blood pressure, heart problems, ulcers and hernias are advised not to do this kriya.

Benefits:

Agnisar kriya massages all the abdominal organs, strengthens the muscles and stimulates the associated nerves, encouraging the best possible functioning of these organs. It promotes the correct secretion of digestive juices and thereby allows optimum assimilation of nutrients from the food that we eat. Furthermore, it prevents and removes various digestive maladies such as constipation, indigestion, hyperacidity, hypoacidity, flatulence and sluggishness of the liver, etc.

Agnisar kriya strengthens the organs that lie in the lower part of our trunk. In this way it helps the individual to withstand the onslaught of disease and general unhealthy conditions of everyday life. This is an important practice and we recommend everyone to try it on a regular basis.