In yoga, it is believed that some yoga and meditation masters who have special powers known as “siddhis” are able to levitate at will.

The power of levitation in the Sanskrit language of yoga is called “dardura siddhi” which means the frog power—as some frogs are known to jump and suspend themselves in the air.

There are many witnessed accounts and first hand stories of great yogis levitating through the use of special powers achieved through meditation and advanced yoga practices. In the books Autobiography of a Yogi by Yogananda and Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama, there are referenced accounts of yogis who have levitated.

So how does one learn to embrace this phenomenon and possess this power of levitation?

Is it a paranormal activity or something that defies the law of gravity and physics? Maybe it’s all of these, but it is said that when one progresses on the path of meditation, levitation comes naturally. Some of the great yoga texts proclaim that when one is proficient in the science of yoga and pranayama (expansion of energy by breath control) one can also learn to levitate.

So, to learn how to levitate one should first start with meditation to be more familiar with their subtle body and feel their prana (life force) and energy. One can start with a seated practice of mediation or a laying down practice such as yoga nidra.

Next it is important to understand the various pranas or vayus within the body. There are five main vayus and they are responsible for governing the movements and actions of both the mind and body. I believe that by knowing and controlling the vayus, one can master the art of levitating.

The five main pranas within the body are briefly described as follow:

>>> Prana Vayu which draws energy inward and is responsible for inhaling, sensory perception and swallowing.

>>> Vyana Vayu which diffuses energy away from the body and is responsible for overall movement and circulation.

>>> Samana vayu which draws energy towards the center and is responsible for digestion, metabolism and homeostasis.

>>> Apana vayu which descends energy downward and out and is responsible for elimination, reproduction and downward movement.

>>> Udana vayu which ascends energy upwards and out and is responsible for speech, exhalation, growth and upward movement.

To be able to levitate one needs to be able to focus and master the Udana Vayu—the upwards flow of life energy or prana. The Udana Vayu is primary located at the base of the throat and extends all the way to the top of the head which links together the fifth, sixth and seventh chakras. Because this energy is responsible for upward movement it is primarily the one that needs to be controlled for levitation to occur.

The secret to levitating also involves controling specific energy locks known as bandhas and, to focus with a strong will on drawing the energy upwards into the higher chakras.

The three main bandhas of yoga are:

>>> Mula bandha—the root lock which emphasizes engaging and squeezing at the perineum.

>>> Uddiyana bandha—the upward flying lock which emphasizes drawing the belly and abdominals upward and in.

>>> Jalandhara bandha—the throat lock which emphasizes bringing your chin towards your sternum.

To become a master at levitation one must consistently practice and become proficient in these ancient yoga techniques as well as meditation. In our yoga training we learn with more depth and detail how to expand our energy and move our energy in different directions through various yoga postures, pranayama (breath control) practices, visualizations and meditation.

I believe levitation also requires being able to use ones will power or mind power.

So while there is no sure way to guarantee that one will levitate, one can certainly practice the techniques as outlined in the traditional yoga texts. One of my favorites is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika published by the Bihar School of Yoga. Good luck in your endeavors.

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Editor: Catherine Monkman

Photo: Author’s Own