In the Grace of Yoga FAQs

Can we have a bath with the teertham and reapply the mud before the Pancha Bhuta Kriya session?

Yes. If you have a bath, please reapply the mud paste before the Pancha Bhuta Kriya session. You could also just pour the teertham on your head if you had a bath before Session 7.

Where can I get Tayimannu from?

It will be available for purchase from Isha Life website soon. (Please Note: It might not be available in some regions due to shipping restrictions).

Sadhguru spoke about the ingredients in Tayimannu. How can we prepare it?

Thayimannu has been prepared and consecrated in a certain way. If it is unavailable in your region, you can apply the mud paste on the points mentioned and do the practice.

If Tayimannu is not available, can I apply the mud paste on the whole body?

Since we do not know of what quality the soil is, it is not recommended. Instead you can apply the mud paste on the points mentioned and do the practice.

Can we practice this version of Simha Kriya without applying the mud paste?

It's best to practice it with the mud paste. If not available, you can do it without the mud paste also.

How many times a day should we practice Simha Kriya?

It would be best to do the practice twice a day for the next 40-48 days and once a day after that. This will establish the practice in your system.

How do we continue the processes guided by Sadhguru during the sessions like the water meditation?

The process with water guided by Sadhguru during the session should not be practised regularly at home.

Simha Kriya with mud application, chanting Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya and being in touch with 5 elements - you can do these everyday.

If you wish, you can also do the process with Earth that Sadhguru guided in Session 5. The video will be sent to you soon.

Can I use basil instead of holy basil for Pancha Bhuta Kriya preparation?

Holy basil (Tulsi) is different from basil leaves. If holy basil leaves are unavailable, please skip that part.

What is the significance of vibhuti?

Sadhguru has spoken about this. You can find more information here:

https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/wisdom/video/vibhuti-the-sacred-ash

https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/wisdom/video/vibhuti-how-and-where-to-apply-it-on-the-body

Between Kumbhaka (fullness of breath) and Shoonyaka (emptiness of breath), can we breathe normally?

No. After holding Kumbhaka, you exhale fully and hold Shoonyaka.

I live in a cold country where the earth is frozen and covered in snow. Indoor gardening is also not possible. What can I do?

You can walk barefoot at home, to whatever extent you can.

Should we leave the mud paste on if we're having food after the session?

Please wash your hands before your meal. The mud paste can remain on the other points.

For Simha Kriya, what is the minimum age one can do it?

6 years

Is there any upper age limit for Simha Kriya?

Anyone between the ages of 6 and 70 can practice Simha Kriya.

Those above 70 years of age can also do the practice, but they must do the breathing only 12 times (not 21 times).

Who can do Simha Kriya?

Anyone can do the practice, including pregnant women, women during their menstrual cycle, and those suffering from chronic ailments or any other medical conditions (like asthma, migraine, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, lung related diseases, glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachment, hernia, etc.)

People with brain hemorrhage or brain tumor can also do the practice, but they must do the breathing 12 times only (not 21 times).

Can pregnant women do Simha Kriya? Can they do the mud application also?

Yes, pregnant women and women during their menstrual cycle can do the practice.

How long should I wait after undergoing surgery before I resume Simha Kriya?

Wait for 6 months after a major surgery and 6 weeks after a minor surgery.

I am not able to sit on the floor. Can I still attempt Simha Kriya?

The practice is more effective when it is done while sitting on the floor. You can make use of cushions or some other padding for the support that will make it easier for you to sit on the floor. However, if it is still too difficult for you to sit on the floor, you can sit on a chair. You can sit with your legs crossed at the ankles and do the practice.

How long should I wait after my meal to do Simha Kriya?

Do not do the practice immediately after eating. Allow at least 4 hours after a meal, 2.5 hours after a light snack (like a few biscuits) and 1.5 hours after a beverage (like juice). Water is ok.

Can I eat immediately after Simha Kriya?

Yes. You can eat or have a beverage that is at room temperature immediately after practice. Wait 10-15 minutes before consuming something refrigerated.

Can I take a bath immediately after doing Simha Kriya?

After the practice, wait for 15-20 minutes before taking a hot bath and 25-30 minutes before taking a cold bath.

How many times a day can I do Simha Kriya?

You can do Simha Kriya up to 3 times a day ensuring that you are in an empty stomach condition (4 hours after a meal) and maintain a gap of at least 4 hours between practicing two kriyas.

How much time should I maintain between two practices?

Maintain a gap of at least 4 hours between two practices.

The practice is very powerful. Can I increase the count beyond 21 (and do 42, 63, etc.)?

No. It is very important to do the practice exactly as instructed. Sadhguru says that if you increase the count, it may cause serious damage to the system.

Can I do more cycles of 21 counts in one sitting (say 2 or 3 cycles of 21 counts, or more)?

No.

If I'm not able to do the breathing 21 times, can I do less?

Yes, you can do it 12 times.

Does the head have to be upturned?

Yes. Your head should be slightly upturned.

During the last part of holding the breath, should I still be pushing my shoulders up?

Yes.

For the last stage: does the tongue need to be rolled in while holding the breath?

Yes. The tongue needs to be rolled in while holding Kumbhaka and Shoonyaka.

For the last stage: can we hold the breath longer than one minute if we are able to?

You can hold it for as long as it is comfortable.

I cannot hold my breath for 30 seconds. Can I still do the practice and work towards increasing the duration of holding my breath?

Yes.

Is there any specific order to incorporate this practice with other Isha practices?

There is no specific order.

Any guidelines about where to do it and any precautions to take?

There are no specific precautions. Just ensure that the air is clean and the space is clean, hygienic, and well ventilated.

If there are other people in the room, keep sufficient space around you.

Can I lie down / do Shavasana after this practice?

No.

If I sit on a chair, should I cross the right leg over left or left leg over right?

You cross the legs at the ankles, right over left.

When we are taking in a deep breath for holding Kumbhaka, should we breathe in through the mouth or the nose?

You need to close your mouth, inhale fully and hold your breath.

After holding the breath, when you exhale through the nose making a sound from the pit of the throat, at that time also should the tongue be rolled up?

Yes

When should we relax the ribcage? While inhaling or after?

After you release Shoonyaka i.e. after you inhale, you can relax the ribcage.

I feel like I did not exhale fully, can I exhale once again before holding Shoonyaka?

Do not repeatedly attempt Kumbhaka and Shoonyaka. You can take care of this when you do the practice next time.

Should the head be slightly upturned throughout the practice or only at the end?

The head should be slightly upturned throughout.

I’ve an injury in my arm. Can I raise only one arm and do the practice?

Yes, do it as best as you can.

Can I let my family who has not attended this program also know how to do this version of Simha Kriya? They have learnt Simha Kriya online before.

No

I am not able to roll in my tongue, what to do?

Roll it as best as you can.

When doing Simha Kriya, I’m having difficulty making the sound during inhalation. What to do?

It will get better with practice.

I’m feeling like gasping after holding Kumbhaka or Shoonyaka. What to do?

Do not force yourself to hold the breath. Hold it as long as it is comfortable for you.

I’ve shoulder pain when keeping them fully raised. Can I keep them partially raised and do the practice?

You need to raise them so that the body is pushed fully up, in such a way that your rib cage lifts off the diaphragm region.

When we keep the tongue rolled, where should the tongue touch ideally?

It should go all the way back and touch the uvula.

When breathing with the tongue rolled up, should the mouth be closed or open?

The mouth should be open.

When exhaling after holding Kumbhaka, should we exhale through the mouth or the nose? Should the tongue still be rolled up?

You exhale through the nose. Yes, the tongue should be rolled in.

Can we do the process that was done at the end of Session 2 everyday?

This process is not to be done at home.

How much of the mud paste do you apply on each point?

You apply a little bit on each of the points. For the palms and soles of the feet, you apply on the entire region.

Due to technical reasons, I missed the Simha Kriya instructions. What should I do?

We'll be going through the practice once again in Session 3. If you missed part of the session, a video also will be made available after 2pm IST.

Can I remove the mud paste once the session is over? What do we do with the remaining mud paste?

The mud paste applied can be removed after 2 hours 40 minutes has passed from the time of application. You can keep the remaining mud paste for the next session.

Sadhguru said to stand in the sun for 15 minutes. Is that only for ladies or for gents too?

Both ladies and gents can do this when it it is morning in your timezone.

Do we need to take a shower before every session or just once in the morning before the 1st session of the day?

It's best if you can take a shower before every session. If that is not possible, you can shower once before the 1st session of the day.

Do we need soil for the sessions on 10th March too?

Please have a bowl of soil with you before the first session on 10th March.

I missed how to make the mud paste. Do I need to add anything other than water to the soil?

Just water

The soil I have is very dry and all the paste has dried and fallen off. Can I make a paste using my bhoomi for the session?

The paste should be very thin. Please add more water to the paste and mix it well. Also, you can reapply the mud paste, if it comes off for any reason. The bhoomi available in your Pancha Bhuta Kriya kit is only to be used for the Pancha Bhuta Kriya session on 11th March.

Where do we apply the mud paste?

You can apply the mud paste on these points:

• Between the eyebrows

• Pit of the throat

• Point where the ribcage meets

• Navel & around the navel

• Palms

• Soles of the feet

I do not have mud paste. What is the alternative?

You can get mud from any garden or a potted plant or a nearby area where not many people are walking. Mix this with water to make a fine paste.

Can we use the bhoomi we received in the Pancha Bhuta Kriya kit to make the mud paste?

The grains of bhoomi are only for the Pancha Bhuta Kriya session on 11th March. You can use the soil you collected from outside.

I have done the preparation for Pancha Bhuta Kriya before Session 1 by mistake. What to do now?

It’s fine. Pancha Bhuta Kriya preparation is required only on 11th March. For Session 2, please apply the mud paste as instructed.

Can we have a shower before Session 2?

Yes, but please apply the mud paste after you shower.

Do I have to keep the mud paste on for 2 hours 40 minutes right now?

The mud paste should stay for 2 hours 40 minutes. You can apply it before Sadhguru’s session (Session 2). Also keep the mud paste ready with you for the session.

I have a chronic ailment, can I still participate in the Pancha Bhuta Kriya?

Yes, you can. The practices and processes offered will help enhance your health.

Can I participate even if I have my period?

Yes, you can.

Is it safe for pregnant women?

Yes, pregnant women can participate fully in all the processes offered here.

When should we prepare the teertham? Can we prepare it in advance or just before the Pancha Bhuta Kriya?

You can prepare it on the same day or the night before, in advance.

How many times should we do the Yogeshwaraya chant? Is it 12 cycles or 20 minutes?

You do the chant for 20 minutes at a stretch. If that is not possible, you can do 12 cycles twice a day, preferably during the sandhya kalas. Any other time is also fine.

Do we have to be on an empty stomach for Pancha Bhuta Kriya?

You will need to be on an empty stomach for all the sessions. This means, there must a gap of:

4 hours after a full meal

2 and a half hours after a snack

1 and a half hours after a beverage like coffee or juice

Water is fine

Those of you, who for medical reasons, are not able to maintain an empty stomach can have this concoction before the session:

Boil some water with 5 peppercorns

Wait for the water to become lukewarm

Add a teaspoon of honey to it and consume it.

On 11th March, do we have to do the preparation of having a bath and tying the abhaya sutra before Session 7 (1st session) or just before Session 8 (2nd session)?

Either way is fine.

My wife and I have both registered for the program. Can we use the same computer to participate in the session or should we use separate devices? Can we have only one photo of dhyanalinga with lamp lit or should we keep two setups?

Yes you can participate together with one setup, but please register separately.

Can we do the Pancha Bhuta Kriya on our own after the program?

Pancha Bhuta Kriya happens inside the Dhyanalinga Dome every new moon day (Shivaratri). More information here: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/events/monthly/pancha-bhuta-aradhana

Can we wear spectacles during Pancha Bhuta Kriya?

Yes, only take them off when instructed to close your eyes.

Can I do all the practices taught in the program at home later?

You will receive guidance regarding this during the sessions.

What if I don’t receive the kit?

In case you do not receive the kit, alternatives are mentioned below:

1. Abhaya Sutra alternative: Abhaya literally means “without fear”, Sutra means “thread”. The Pancha Bhuta Kriya includes an initiation with Abhaya Sutra, a thread specially consecrated to remove doubt and fear.

— Use about 13 inches of cotton thread dipped in turmeric paste (turmeric powder mixed with a little water)

2. Bhoomi: Two grain-sized bhoomi (processed earth). —You can replace this with the same quantity of soil from a place where people are not walking around much, such as from a garden or plant nursery.

3. An image of Dhyanalinga: The Dhyanalinga is a powerful and unique energy form consecrated by Sadhguru for the ultimate wellbeing of an individual. The image is a significant aspect of the Pancha Bhuta Kriya and helps in making the presence of Dhyanalinga more accessible to you.

Alternative: You can use any image of Dhyanalinga. (https://isha.sadhguru.org/mahashivratri/dhyanalinga/)

4. Vastram: a consecrated cloth. If unavailable, you can skip this step.

5. Vibhuti: consecrated ash which has been kept in the energized space of Dhyanalinga for a certain period of time. If unavailable, you can skip this step.

If I have received the Pancha Bhuta Kriya kit, do I still need to collect soil?

The bhoomi from Pancha Bhuta Kriya kit is only for that particular process on 11th of March. For the other days, please keep 4 to 5 handfuls of soil ready if you are participating in the 3 day program and 1 handful of soil if you are participating in the 1 day program.

Can I use clay/mud bowls instead of copper bowls?

Yes, you can.

If I’m unable to sit in a cross legged posture for the Pancha Bhuta Kriya, can I sit on a chair?

Yes

When do we use the Pancha Bhuta Kriya kit?

The material in the kit is only to be used for the Pancha Bhuta Kriya process with Sadhguru on 11th March.

I’m already wearing other sutras. Do I have to remove them for the Pancha Bhuta Kriya process?

No, you don’t need to remove the other sutras.

On which hand do we tie the Abhaya sutra?

Ladies should tie it on their left hand, gents on their right hand.

How do we prepare the teertham?

Please refer to the Pancha Bhuta Kriya orientation video for details. You can find this video on your home screen under the section Preparatory Sessions (near the bottom of the screen)

Are there any guidelines about food to be consumed or avoided during these 3 days?

Sadhguru has guided to include 40% raw food in the coming days. You need to be on an empty stomach for the sessions, there are no other food restrictions.

Is it recommended to wear newly bought clothes?

Not necessary. It's best to wear white cotton clothes for the sessions.

I'm confused about the Mahashivratri Sadhana. Should we also do the Shiva Namaskar practice, or are we not doing that part of the preparation? Also, are we staying up all night on the 11th?

Please keep Mahashivratri Sadhana and Grace of Yoga as two separate processes. Follow all the instructions given for Mahashivratri Sadhana. It's your choice to participate fully in Mahashivratri. We wish you make best use of this powerful night.