Hi,
My name is Akasha and today I want to share with you a pranayama practice.
Prana is that name for all life force.
Yama means direction or restraint.
So pranayama is the restraint or direction of life force.
And even though this is a yogic practice,
You do not have to be a yogi to benefit from pranayama techniques.
And you may already be familiar with an extended exhalation or box breathing or other various breath techniques.
However,
Nadi Shodhana is what I'll be introducing you to today.
An alternate nostril breathing is one of the most powerful breath practices one can do because it balances out the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
It also balances out the left and right nadis titled ida and pingala.
Ida is that left energy channel,
Pingala is that right energy channel.
And it's believed that these energy channels crisscross up and down the spinal column at the same space where all seven chakras are.
So today we'll have a three-minute practice of alternate breath.
So sit up nice and tall.
Remember,
You could always do this in a chair or with your back to a wall.
You could also do it reclining if the low back needs any support from that perspective.
You'll take your left hand,
Bring it out on top of the knee or thigh.
Thumb and index fingers will come together.
This is known as a mudra.
When we bring the thumb and index fingers together,
This represents individual self with universal self.
Sometimes I also like to think of it as human self with higher self.
Bring the right hand up and take the thumb to the right nostril and the pinky to the left nostril.
Close off the right nostril,
Breathe in through the left.
Close off the left nostril,
Breathe out through the right.
Now breathe in through the right nostril.
Close the right nostril,
Exhale through the left nostril only.
Inhale left,
Close,
Exhale right.
Inhale right,
Close,
Exhale left.
Inhale left,
Close,
Exhale right.
Inhale right,
Close,
Exhale left.
Inhale left and continue like this.
Focus on the space behind the brow,
Eyes are closed.
Breath is fluid and smooth.
You're not pushing,
You're not pulling.
Simply observing the natural pause at the top of the inhalation as you switch nostrils.
Observing the natural pause at the base of the exhalation.
So often we force our way through life.
So allow this breath practice to reflect ease,
Effortlessness.
So that there's no force in your life beyond existing with the breath right here,
Right now.
Two more complete cycles.
The next time you exhale out of the left nostril,
Complete that exhalation and release the right hand down.
Sit in silence and just observe how you feel.
Slowly allow the eyes to flutter open.
Release the mudra.
And I hope that you are able to enjoy the rest of your day in peace,
Balance,
And harmony.
Namaste.
