Kundalini Yoga Certification Pranayama & Breath Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary energetic effect of Sitali pranayama?
- Cooling and calming the body and mind (Correct answer)
- Energizing and heating the system
- Balancing ida and pingala nadis
- Activating the root chakra
Correct answer: Cooling and calming the body and mind
Sitali involves inhaling through a rolled tongue to cool the body and calm anger or fever.
Question 2: In Kundalini Yoga, 'Breath of Fire' is classified as which type of pranayama?
- A cooling, passive breath
- A rapid, rhythmic diaphragmatic breath (Correct answer)
- A slow, deep thoracic breath
- An alternate nostril breath
Correct answer: A rapid, rhythmic diaphragmatic breath
Breath of Fire is a rapid, continuous diaphragmatic breath performed at roughly 2-3 cycles per second.
Question 3: Which pranayama technique is specifically contraindicated for individuals with vertigo?
- Long Deep Breathing
- Sitali
- Breath of Fire (Correct answer)
- Ujjayi
Correct answer: Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire can exacerbate vertigo due to its rapid pace affecting CO2 levels and inner-ear pressure.
Question 4: What is 'Antar Kumbhaka' in pranayama practice?
- Exhalation retention
- External breath retention after exhale
- Internal breath retention after inhale (Correct answer)
- Alternate nostril switching
Correct answer: Internal breath retention after inhale
Antar Kumbhaka is the deliberate suspension of breath after a full inhale, before the exhale begins.
Question 5: During Breath of Fire, the navel point moves in which direction on the exhale?
- Forward and outward
- Inward and upward toward the spine (Correct answer)
- Downward toward the pelvis
- It remains still
Correct answer: Inward and upward toward the spine
On each exhale in Breath of Fire, the navel point pumps inward and upward, driving the breath out actively.
Question 6: Surya Bhedana pranayama involves inhaling through which nostril?
- Left (ida) nostril
- Both nostrils simultaneously
- Right (pingala) nostril (Correct answer)
- The mouth
Correct answer: Right (pingala) nostril
Surya Bhedana ('sun-piercing') activates solar/pingala energy by inhaling through the right nostril.
Question 7: What is the recommended ratio for a basic practice of Sama Vritti (equal ratio) pranayama?
- Inhale 4: Hold 8: Exhale 4
- Inhale 4: Exhale 4 (no retention) (Correct answer)
- Inhale 1: Exhale 2
- Inhale 4: Hold 4: Exhale 8
Correct answer: Inhale 4: Exhale 4 (no retention)
Sama Vritti means equal fluctuation — inhale and exhale are of identical duration with no mandatory retention.
Kundalini Yoga Certification Pranayama & Breath Techniques 2
What is the primary energetic effect of Sitali pranayama?