Hi Paw,
As Yogani and others say, to put it in a nutshell: Slow and steady wins the race.
Depending on the existing karma of a person, it can take anywhere from a few months to many years of yoga practice to still the breath. And, several more years to reach the state of Pratyahara, where the senses can be turned OFF and the heartbeat drops to zero - this is when the state of Dharana actually commences. And, still more to be able to enter this state at will.
But as Yogani says, we cannot keep the above as a goal - rather it is a effect of a steady, consistent, and selfless practice of yoga.
Crab
Hi JimAHK…
“Paw, kumbakha, as Yogani said, is an effect, not a cause. Aiming for it is a distraction, and may even harm your health. For one thing, excessive kumbakha, especially when it’s something aimed-for rather than a side effect, can create energy imbalances. There are AYP lessons on ways to specifically use kumbakha, but they’re quite narrow and limited. AYP does NOT encourage one to “reach” for kumbakha in meditation.”
Yes this sounds right to me, and did the first time I read them from yogani. I have a persistent misconception about this topic, and I need to shift my thinking. Old habits are sometimes slow to change I suppose. I have in the past been influenced by both psychedelics and teachings of kriya yoga schools. I need to read and reread the relevant sections of the ayp manual, and learn effective practice.
“I’m a good person to tell you this, because I’m currently having some energy overload problems, and am trying to find ways to avoid kumbakha in meditation (without over-managing my meditation). Involuntary kumbakha is increasing my pitta to dangerous levels. It’s not a good thing. Other people might be more suited to handle this degree of energy, but we’re all different. Enjoy Shiva/stillness, it’s as good as, and a great preparation for, shakti.”
I see, thanks Jim. I was attracted to, and I am practicing AYP for, this reason. I want to make steady progress in safety. Energy overloads such as you describe have sometimes stopped me from doing any practice at all, so no progress there!
Over time I’ve played with various ways of stilling the breath, and sometimes now during meditation I have automatic kumbakhas of various duration. Now that kechari is a part of my practice, these occur more frequently. This is the reason I suppose, why I asked about the safest way to engage in these states. But I need to breathe, and focus on mantra and stillness during deep meditation.
As a side note, I do find that kechari allows a restriction of the inhalation, similar to ujjayi on exhale, which is fun. Is there a term for this, or other background?
“The most effective formula for entry into samadhi that I’ve seen is this AYP practice right here. And Yogani does not insert his cautions to slow you down. Rather, it’s to speed you up. To steal his metaphor, if you drive your car too fast around the mountain, you will crash before reaching the top. Slow, steady, and careful works best and FASTEST.”
Gotcha, abso-tootly…
Hi crab…
“As Yogani and others say, to put it in a nutshell: Slow and steady wins the race.”
Yes, this is clearer every day. I’m slowing down as I type 
“Depending on the existing karma of a person, it can take anywhere from a few months to many years of yoga practice to still the breath. And, several more years to reach the state of Pratyahara, where the senses can be turned OFF and the heartbeat drops to zero - this is when the state of Dharana actually commences. And, still more to be able to enter this state at will.”
I’ve had tastes of what you describe, and so I am eager to return. I passed a lot of years in this incarnation with little practice beyond faith and a householder’s round. There is a lot of the path still ahead for me. By the grace of the Supreme I will accomplish yoga and awaken. There is much that is yet unclear for me now, but it is a great adventure to experience these inner realities.
“But as Yogani says, we cannot keep the above as a goal - rather it is a effect of a steady, consistent, and selfless practice of yoga.”
Yes, I am beginning to understand the central importance of bhakti and consistent practice in the play of Shiva Shakti.
Thanks for the good words, friend yogis…