Question from one of my online students:

Is Nabho mudra different from Kechari? I see a few people use it interchangeably but from what I have heard from you previously, kechari seems like a more advanced mudra where the tongue reaches the nasal passage and touches the sphenoid sinus which is below the pituitary. Are there energetic differences between the two when combined with Ujjayi?

My Insight

In Hatha Yoga, Nabho and Khechari mudras are different techniques, with Nabho mudra serving as the preparation for the Khechari mudra. Nabho can be practised generally, while learning Khechari typically requires initiation. You are correct about the physical differences between the techniques. Khechari offers greater compression of the cranial cavity, effectively ‘sealing’ the energy. Additionally, in Khechari, the bandhas happen involuntarily since the tongue itself is the energetic valve that does it all. In Nabho mudra, one needs to consciously utilise the bandhas particularly the Uddiyana and Jalandhara bandha in directing the vibration of the breath to the higher centres, (ultimatley in the brain).

I must point out, however, that Nabho Mudra can occur spontaneously during energetic absorption. In those instances, Nabho Mudra is far more advanced than Khechari Mudra. This is because it is the energy that guides the tongue into Nabho Mudra rather than the body. I will discuss this further at the end of this article.

While Nabho Mudra can also regulate energy, it primarily influences the upper chakras, from the Manipura chakra in the core to the Ajna chakra inside the brain. Khechari Mudra, on the other hand, can affect the energy flow all the way down to the Muladhara chakra and higher. Another distinction is that Khechari can directly irrigate the Kanda nadi (the origin of the Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna) by allowing the tongue to move within the nasopharyngeal cavity, which helps dissolve energy blockages. Nabho Mudra, however, primarily affects the upper chakras and influences the nadis collectively.

Ujjayi breathing can be utilised with both techniques. In Khechari, more electrical energy enters the brain because the lower bandhas are open, allowing ‘unfiltered’ agni to flow through the cranial cavity. Therefore, the practitioner must have a strong energy circuitry to handle the increased energy flow.

Video Lecture:

Members Content:

Principles and Benefits of Tongue Exercises

In this guided practice, I will teach you various tongue and breathing exercises to help alleviate body pains and sluggishness. This lesson does not require the khechari mudra but uses simple tongue and neck exercises that provide similar benefits.