Introduction
Kechari Mudra is an advanced practice in Hatha, Kriya, and Tantra Yoga. In this practice, the performer rolls the tongue back and inserts it into the nasal cavity. Also, it is a multi-stage practice. Each stage requires the mastery of the previous stage. It is not prevalent in all yogic traditions. Maybe, it is because of the complexity of mastering. The steps of Khechari Mudra include the practice of breath retention and yogic locks and seals. Each of them whether it is breath retention or yogic locks or seals, is an advanced technique. Only those who have mastery of all these advanced techniques can become eligible for taking the practice of Khechari Mudra.
The knowledge of this practice is Lambika Yoga. There exists a lot of documentation on this practice. But in reality, only a few perform this. This is why, it is so popular, yet not commonly used in wider yoga circles. Because it is not prevalent, scientific studies are also lacking. However, it’s important to note that one should attempt this under the guidance of an expert yoga teacher. In this article, we explore the Khechari Mudra steps as prescribed in the yogic texts.
Khechari Mudra Steps
Preparatory Practices
Nabho Mudra
Before I explain the steps for Khechari Mudra in detail, let us see one simple preparatory practice that one should follow. Nabho Mudra is a gateway to Khechari Mudra. Some people call this Baby Khechari. It trains the tongue for its upward movement. Also, this basic practice requires no expert guidance. It is notable that without mastery of this basic practice, you could not practice Khechari Mudra.
Talabhya Kriya
Talabhya Kriya, also known as Talavya Kriya, is one of the kriya yoga methods prevalent in the yoga lineage of Lahiri Mahasaya. In this method, press the tongue against the upper palate and make a suction cup effect.
While doing this, the tip of the tongue should touch the base of your upper teeth, After having the suction cup effect, release the effect with a clinging sound and immediately try to touch the chin with the tip of your tongue.
Repeat this for 10 to 20 counts daily first. Slowly, increase this to 50 counts. After this practice, sit in meditation by rolling your tongue backward and trying to push it inside the nasal cavity beyond the uvula.
However, this is different from Jihva Bandha which is just making the suction cup effect and releasing it after some time. Talabhya Kriya is not Mana Mudra (Head Mudra).
Dohan Kriya or Tongue Milking
Another practice for elongating the tongue is Dohan Kriya or Tongue Milking.
In this practice, the tongue is brought outside of the mouth like a stick. Like a stick means making the tip of the tongue as sharp as possible. In this way, the tongue is pulled outside with its width becoming shorter. By using the index finger and thumb of one hand pull the tongue outside immediately following the pulling by the index finger and thumb of the other hand. This is known as the milking of the tongue.
Perform this for 40 to 50 times daily. Following this, rotate the tongue clockwise and anticlockwise keeping it outside as far as possible. This should also be for 40 to 50 counts. After this rotating of the tongue, try to touch the tip of the nose upside and the chin downside. Turn the tongue towards the nasal cavity beyond the uvula.
Posture, Kumbhaka, Mudras, and Bandhas
You can sit in any yoga pose that is suitable to you like Lotus Pose or Adept Pose. Relax your body and mind and take a couple of slow and deep breaths to calm your mind. Keep your trunk straight and ensure that your trunk, neck, and head are in a straight line. Now fix your eyesight on the center of your eyes. Then, roll your tongue back and insert it inside the nasal cavity.
Now Inhale slowly and deeply. At the end of inhalation, perform the throat lock. When the throat lock is placed, engage the Root Lock. Retain the breath as far as it is comfortable. At the end of breath retention, exhale releasing the throat lock and the root lock. Simultaneously, apply the abdominal Lock. This is one round. Repeat the rounds according to your convenience. For the whole process, you should not release the Khechari Mudra.
In this practice, the throat lock, the root lock, the abdominal lock, Shambhavi Mudra, and Khechari Mudra are all applied. Follow this sequence of steps or as per the advice of your yoga teacher.
Churning
The tongue reaches into the different inner regions that consist of many stages. On reaching every stage, the text advises churning of the tongue. Tongue churning is a very important part of the practice. According to the texts, the tongue will experience different tastes like milk, whey, and Ghee. At last, it tastes the elixir that drips from the Lunar Region. On tasting this, the texts say, the body gets rid of old age and death.
Conclusion
Always remember that Khechari Mudra is an advanced yoga practice. Since Nabho Mudra, Thalabhya Kriya, and Tongue Milking are basic and simple practices. Learning them first, you can think of Khechari Mudra. However, you should have mastery over breath retention, and other locks. Then only you can seamlessly include this in your practice. Incorporating multiple locks and seals along with breath retention requires guidance from the expert.
