Swara Cycle

Swara yoga is about the effect of nasal breathing on our body and mind through right nostril,  (Pingala Nadi) left nostril, Ida Nadi) both nostril (Shushumna Nadi).  The different pattern  and nature of  breath indicates the active elements  (Panch Mahabhutas ie. Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether) in our psychic body . In Swara yoga, practices are connected with the flow of nadi in a systematic pattern with moon phases, Sun and other planets. Elements are connected with  different  planets in  different  nasal flow. When a  planet affect earth's gravitational field and electromagnetic field they will alter human energy patterns in the psychic body on feedback  basis. This  can be  experienced  as  change  in  the  flow  of  our breath. Swara yoga  identifies   this as  different  elements.  In order  to balance  and  harmonize  these  subtle forces,  Swara yoga gives the easy and effective tool - The time and cycle of breath. The cycle of breath is based the luner tithis (Moon's position at different times).

Tithi is  considered as the first  phase  or  portion  (Kala)  of the 16  phases of the Moon. The  15  days, commencing from Amavasya (the last day of the dark half of a lunar month) to Purnima (Full moon), are called the Tithis  of  the  Shukla-Paksha or  Waxing Moon  (brighter phase)  when  moon becomes fuller and the days commencing from Purnima to Amavasya are called Krishna Paksha waning Moon (darker phase) when moon becomes darker.

In Indian Astrology, the calculation of the Tithis starts from Pratipada (The first day in each half of the lunar month) of the Shukla-Paksha. They are:

1.  1.   Pratipada.

2.  2.   Dwitiya.

3.  3.   Tritiya.

4.  4.   Chaturthi.

5.  5.   Panchami.

6.  6.   Shashthi.

7.  7.   Saptami.

8.  8.   Ashtami.

9.  9.   Navami.

10. 10. Dashami.

11. 11. Ekadasi.

12. 12. Dwadashi.

13. 13. Trayodashi.

14. 14. Chaturdashi.

15. 15. Purnima / 30. Amawasya.

Similarly, in the Krishna-Paksha, starting from Pratipada till Chaturdashi, all the dates are same; the only difference being the fifteenth day which is Amavasya (No Moon or Moonless night)  For tithi calculation for any particular day any location   Click here. 

  In Swara cycle right nostril becomes active during Krishna paksha on tithes Pratipada,(1) Dwitiya, ,(2) Tritiya, ,(3)  Saptami, ,(7) Ashtami, ,(8)  Navami, ,(9)  Trayodashi, ,(13)  Chaturdashi, ,(14)  Amavasya,(15). There after Ida and Pingala function alternately in 1-2 hour cycle throughout the day until, at sunset left nostril begins to function on the specified days. On days  4 , 6, 10, 12, of dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) the left nostril flows at sunrise and right nostril at sunset. During shukla paksha we see the reverse. At sunrise of the first 3 days, left nostril flows and during sunset right and same alternate manner it goes on up to full moon. See the chart below.

Swara days chart is a fixed chart that show the nostril dominance on particular phases of the moon known as tithis. Every day there will be a tithi and according to that you  have to change the flow of your breath. For ex. 5th October 04 the tithi was saptami and during sunrise right nostril is (Pingala swara) recommended in chart for flow and the same day left nostril (Ida swara) should flow during sun-set. For Indian panchanga calculation according to date click here and for sunrise and sunset click here any where in the world. When you will calculate the tithi other things of panchanga will come because panchanga means five angas of indian lunar calendar.For swara yoga sadhana (practices) first three are required  ie. weekdays, tithi and naxhatra. But for beginners first one month they should observe the breath to know the pattern and imbalances. And form next month they should start manipulation or change in the flow of breath according to dates. How to change the breath form one nostril to other nostril click here.         

In cycle of Swara, the time of sunrise and sun set  is an important consideration. In summer, the sun rises earlier then in winter, and the time is constantly changing throughout the year. The time will also differ according to the exact location and hemisphere of the continent on which one is living. 

For Panchang details like  Tithi, Paksha , VARA  (week days)  Click here