Relaxing breath,
Known as nadi shodhana in Sanskrit,
Is an alternate nostril breathing technique that helps balance both sides of the brain and body and removes emotional blockages in the body,
Which in return creates a calm and peaceful mind.
Nadi means channel of circulation and shodhana means cleansing.
It is a technique to purify the channels through which energy and information flow,
Ensuring the free circulation of prana throughout the body.
Some of the benefits of nadi shodhana include that it clears emotional blockages and toxins,
Infuses the mind-body system with steady energy and oxygen,
Calms the nervous system and fosters a restful,
Alert mind,
Making it a very beneficial technique to use before meditation.
It helps to harmonize the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
So here's how to practice nadi shodhana breathing.
Begin by sitting comfortably with your spine erect and your shoulders relaxed.
The hand position is unique for nadi shodhana.
Let your left hand rest comfortably in your lap.
With your right hand,
Rest the tip of your index finger and middle finger in between your eyebrows.
If this isn't comfortable,
You may relax the fingers towards the palm,
Gently tucking them in or allow these fingers to simply float or hang in front of your forehead.
Begin by fully exhaling,
Then close off your right nostril with your thumb.
Inhale slowly through your left nostril all the way to the top of your breath.
Then use your ring finger or both ring and little fingers to close off your left nostril.
Release your thumb and slowly exhale through your right nostril all the way to the bottom of your breath.
Then inhale through your right nostril all the way to the top of your breath.
Now place your thumb back over your right nostril and release your ring and pinky fingers to exhale through your left nostril all the way to the bottom of your breath.
You have completed one round of breath.
Repeat this pattern for a few rounds.
Closing off your right nostril and inhaling through your left nostril.
Closing off your left nostril,
Exhaling through your right nostril.
Inhaling through your right nostril,
Closing your right nostril,
Exhaling through your left nostril.
Inhaling through your left nostril and exhaling through your right nostril.
Inhaling through your right nostril and exhaling through your left nostril.
Lungs.
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There are a few informal Stoneka Inhale through your left nostril and exhale through your right nostril.
Inhale through your right nostril and exhale through your left nostril.
Inhale through your left nostril and then you can just let it go as we've repeated this pattern for a few rounds.
So just remember that Nadi Shodhana is an effortless,
Continuous flow of the breath with no controlled pauses.
To receive the full benefits of Nadi Shodhana,
Practice for five to ten full rounds each day consciously and mindfully,
Not rushing through it,
Before each meditation and whenever you want to cultivate a sense of calm and balance.
There are several variations on how to do Nadi Shodhana.
If you have learned another way of doing it,
It's okay to do what's comfortable for you.
Namaste.
