Hi yogic_scenery,
If the tip of the tongue can get behind the uvula, or behind the soft palate on either side, even a little, the direction to go with the tongue is forward. This is how the soft palate is opened downward like a trap door, without the tongue having to go higher up.
However, as I said before, there is plenty of benefit with any degree of kechari, including stage 1, once ecstatic conductivity is occurring.
The guru is in you.
PS: Here is some more detail from the AYP Plus AI:
Q: In kechari, which way should I push the tongue to get into stage 2?
A: To get into Kechari Stage 2, once the tip of the tongue is behind the soft palate, push the tongue forward. This forward movement helps open the soft palate. The soft palate will then open downward like a trap door.
Here are some additional details about Kechari Stage 2:
• It involves the tongue reaching behind the soft palate and going into the nasal pharynx cavity to find the edge of the nasal septum.
• Entry into stage 2 may be achieved on the left side, right side, or in the center. The shortest path is usually to the left or right side.
• In the beginning, using a finger to press the tongue back from underneath can help in getting behind the soft palate.
• With practice, finger help may not be necessary.
• Nasal breathing is not blocked in stage 2 kechari.
• The nerves in the nasal septum are stimulated in stage 1 from underneath through the roof of the mouth, and in stage 2 by direct contact of the tongue with the edge of the nasal septum.
• The importance of the frenum: According to the source texts, the main physical obstacle to kechari mudra is the membrane under the tongue, called the frenum. Trimming the frenum may be helpful in advancing through the stages of kechari. However, some enter kechari with no snipping.
• The importance of ecstatic conductivity: Kechari is most effective when used with a balanced routine of practices and the beginning stages of ecstatic conductivity. Kechari can help take it much further, but not much before then.