Remember: the purpose of Hong-Sau is to increase the intervals between the breaths naturally, and eventually to free you from body-consciousness. As a boy Paramhansa Yogananda used to practice Hong-Sau for hours at a time, withdrawing ever more deeply into the spine until he found himself without breath altogether.

Hong-Sau means “I am He” or “I am Spirit.” Make no attempt to control your breathing, just let its flow be completely natural. Try to feel that your breath itself is silently making the sounds of Hong and Sau. Initially try to feel the breath at the point where it enters the nostrils.

After inhaling and exhaling completely, as the next breath comes in, mentally say Hong (rhymes with song). Then, as you exhale, mentally say Sau (rhymes with saw). Hong-Sau means “I am He” or “I am Spirit”. Make no attempt to control your breathing, just let its flow be completely natural.