What is Khechari Mudra?
Khechari Mudra, also known as Kechari Kriya, is a yogic practice mentioned in various ancient Indian texts, particularly in Hatha Yoga traditions. It involves a specific technique where the practitioner inserts the tongue into the nasal cavity or the space behind the soft palate. The term Khechari is from Sanskrit, where khe means sky or space, and chari means to move. Therefore, it gets the name the sky-walking mudra.
It is the extended version of Nabho Mudra. The traditional method of performing this technique involves a gradual process of tongue extension. Practitioners start by gently pressing the tongue against the back of the upper palate. They gradually extend it backward over time. With regular practice, some individuals may achieve the ability to insert the tongue into the nasal cavity.
Khechari Mudra is an advanced yogic technique. It has associations with the activation of certain energy centers in the region of the throat and head. It has various physical and spiritual benefits, such as the stimulation of the pineal and pituitary glands, increased energy flow, and a heightened state of consciousness.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika defines Khechari Mudra as ” the turning the tongue backward into the cavity of the cranium and turning the eyes inwards towards the eyebrow center.”
It’s important to note that this practice requires proper guidance from an experienced yoga teacher. Because attempting to force the tongue into the nasal cavity without proper preparation can lead to injury. Additionally, not all practitioners can achieve the full expression of this mudra. Hence, understand the challenges of practicing Khechari Mudra before you incorporate it into your practice.
While this practice has a place in certain yogic traditions, but not in all schools of yoga. As with any yogic practice, it’s essential to approach it with caution. Always, respect your body’s limitations, and seek guidance from an experienced teacher if interested in incorporating it into your practice.
What is Khechari Mudra In Tantra Yoga?
Khechari Mudra is not a Hatha Yoga practice alone. It has an association with certain aspects of Tantra Yoga also. Tantra Yoga is a diverse and complex system that includes various techniques and practices aimed at spiritual growth and self-realization.
In the context of Tantra, practitioners may integrate this practice into the broader framework of practices that involve manipulating subtle energies within the body. In Tantra, the emphasis is often on transcending dualities and experiencing the divine within the human experience. This practice, with its association with higher energy centers and altered states of consciousness, serves as a means to facilitate the flow of spiritual energy and enhance one’s spiritual journey.
As with any yogic or tantric practice, it is crucial to approach it with proper knowledge, guidance, and respect for the teachings. Individuals interested in exploring this practice within the context of Tantra Yoga should seek guidance from experienced teachers. An experienced Tantra Yoga practitioner can provide appropriate instructions and ensure a safe and balanced approach to the practice.
What is Kechari Kriya?
The addition of Kriya to the name signifies that this practice is not just a mudra (gesture) but a dynamic and transformative action or process. In the context of yoga, a Kriya refers to a specific set of actions or techniques designed to achieve a particular result, often with a spiritual or transformative aim.
So, Khechari Kriya is the transformative practice of moving in the sky or transcending physical limitations through specific actions, referring to the advanced yogic technique of inserting the tongue into the nasal cavity as part of a broader spiritual journey.
Why it is Called Khechari Vidya?
Khechari Vidya refers to the knowledge or wisdom associated with the practice of Khechari Mudra. In Sanskrit, Vidya translates to knowledge or science. Therefore, one can understand Khechari Vidya as the science or knowledge about the practice of Khechari Mudra.
The term emphasizes that there is a profound understanding and wisdom associated with the technique of Khechari Mudra. It implies that the practice involves not only physical actions but also a deeper knowledge of the subtle energy systems within the body, the principles of yoga, and the spiritual dimensions of the practice.
In yogic and tantric traditions, practitioners often refer to practices as Vidya. This highlights that they entail not only physical exercises but also involve a systematic and profound understanding of the inner workings of the body, mind, and spirit. Khechari Vidya, in this context, encompasses the knowledge and wisdom required for the correct and safe application of the Khechari Mudra as part of a spiritual or transformative practice.
Conclusion
Khechari Mudra is one of the most advanced yoga practices. Not only that, you could not find a competent yoga teacher who can teach it. To attain similar benefits, the performer can learn and practice Viparita Karani Mudra and Jalandhara Bandha.