The scientific method of blowing Shankh or Conch

After knowing various health benefits of shankh blowing it becomes important to know how to blow it in a correct and proper manner so that we get maximum benefits without any ill effects.   

Naturally occurring conch shells are slightly cut at the mouth to open the cavity. The shell is blown by vibrating the lips and applying them onto the shell mouth. The shell sound is highly resonating without any trace of hissing noise when blown properly. The frequency of the blower’s lip vibration must be adjusted so that one of the harmonics matches with the shell cavity fundamental frequency.

When we blow shankh through the pointed tip, the air is pushed with pressure inside the open cavity and when the frequency of lip vibration matches a resonance frequency of shell cavity, a clear tone is produced. By adjusting lip tension and air speed different frequencies are produced by a blower.

In yoga camp 25 experienced performers were requested to blow shankh and blowing was recorded from beginning to end. And after consultation and discussion, the blowing procedure was standardized in the following manner:-

(A)Four to seven minutes light physical exercises like jogging, slow running, jumping in different styles and patterns, bending of body in different and both directions etc.

(B) After warming up, and up to the completion of the entire process, eyes are closed.

(C) Sit in sukhasan i.e. any sitting pose in which we may sit comfortably or padmasana i.e. cross leg sitting position or ardh-padmasana one leg on other leg. The entire blowing process takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes so practitioner should be able to sit comfortably without any disruption.

(D)Deep nasal breathing 4 to 6 times.

(E) Anulom-vilom pranayam which involves:-

1.     Put right hand thumb on right nostril.
2.     Middle finger on fore head.

3.     Fourth finger on left nostril.

4.     First inhaling from left nostril and blocking right nostril and then go ahead as given under.

5.     Blocking of left nostril and exhaling from right nostril.

6.     After that inhaling from right nostril while left nostril remains blocked and then,

7.     Right nostril is blocked and air is exhaled through left nostril.

8.     Thus one cycle of anulom-vilom pranayama involves four steps. First inhaling from left nostril, second exhaling from right, third inhaling from right nostril and finally fourth exhaling from the left.

9.     Deep breathing is recommended in all four steps.

10. Breathing must be noise less even one should not feel the sound of his own breathing and air should enter and exit through nostril as we sip liquid through a straw.

11. At least 10 to 12 cycles of anulom-vilom pranayama are recommended.

(F)  Holding of conch with right hand and left hand in chin mudra i.e. making a loop with the end point of thumb and index finger and keeping remaining three fingers straight.

(G)The fingers are not inserted inside the opening of shankh.

(H)Twice deep nasal inhaling and exhaling. After that twice deep nasal inhaling and exhaling through mouth.  

(I)    Putting mouth of shankh on lips, slightly on right side.

(J)    The neck should be extended at atlanto-occipital joint so that mouth opening and air way come in a straight line.

(K)Deep nasal inhaling and exhaling into shankh opening through mouth.

(L)  The process is to be repeated from three to five to ten to twelve times or up to any times, as per strength and aptitude.

(M) After that taking rest in the same posture and watching movements of breaths with closed eyes.

(N)Finally and gradually, taking one’s own time, the eyes may be opened.
     This entire process will take approximately 12 - 15 minutes and the sound during blowing will be homogeneous and distributed uniform. By doing blowing this way the possibility of injury is minimum and exercise of all body parts is done. The process can be repeated several times as per stamina and attitude.