
SHATKARMA is the preparation for pranayama. Most people think of pranayama as breathing excercises but it is a wide concept. Ayama literally means " dimension " not" ' control'. So pranayama is practiced in order to expand the dimensions of prana within you .
Within us are planes of existence, areas of consciousness, which are in absolute darkness. These planes are much more beautiful and creative than the ones we live on now. However,how are we going to illuminate them ? Instead of talking about different stages of consciousness, you must experience them as you experience the state of dream or sleep .
When the pranic energy is awakened through the practice of pranayama, it is circulated to the dark areas of consciousness. The the person is reborn into a new dimension of existence , a new area of experience .