Hello and welcome to this practice of alternate nostril breathing.
Nadi Shodhana Pranayama This breathing practice is a channel purification practice.
Purifying the subtle energy channels of the body.
In yoga,
We have the pranamaya kosha,
The subtle body.
Through that subtle body,
We have nadis,
Energy channels.
Through those nadis flows prana,
Life force.
This practice is very subtle,
But it helps on the deepest level to help to balance,
Purify,
And clear those energy channels.
Great to do first thing in the morning,
Starting off your day.
Can also do this in the evening to close out your day.
And also a very nice practice to do before meditation.
So traditionally,
When we're doing our full asana,
In pranayama and meditation.
We'll do our asana first.
And then we'll do our.
.
.
And then that will lead us into meditation.
So sit comfortably,
Sit up nice and tall.
We want to keep the spine nice and elevated through the practice.
And then we're going to come into a mudra,
Vishnu mudra.
So index and middle come down to the palm and then your ring and pinky sort of connect to each other.
And then we've got our thumb.
And so we're using the hand to gently block the nostril putting just enough pressure from one side to the other.
So that we can block the flow of breath.
So we'll be breathing through one side at a time.
You'll need to have some clarity of the nostrils right you'll need to clear the nose so you may need to blow your nose maybe do your jala neti your neti pot so you can breathe comfortably If the nose is clogged,
You can also do this energetically.
So as we're alternating from side to side.
Rather than doing it physically,
You'll use your awareness to be breathing from side to side.
Sit up nice and tall.
Relax your shoulders.
Get your hand prepared.
Close the eyes.
Breathe through both nostrils.
Just a completely relaxed and effortless breath.
And then inhale to prepare.
Close your left and exhale right.
Inhale right.
Switch,
Exhale left.
Inhale left.
Switch.
Exhale right.
Inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale.
Inhale left.
Switch.
Accelerate.
Inhale right.
Switch.
Excella.
I need a lot.
Switch.
Exhale right.
Inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale left.
Inhale it.
And switch.
Exhale,
Right.
Relax your hand.
Relax your breath.
Sit comfortably.
Breathe through both nostrils.
Become aware of the breaths at the opening of the nostrils and breathe.
In a moment we'll prepare for the second round.
Being mindful to follow the rhythm of your own breath.
Maybe you're moving a little bit faster or slower.
Your breath is your guide.
So preparing your mudra,
Vishnu mudra.
Eyes closed,
Breathing through both nostrils.
Inhaling through both.
Close your right.
Exhale left.
Inhale left.
Switch.
Exhale,
Right.
Inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale left.
Inhale left.
Switch.
Exhale,
Right.
Inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale left.
Ian Hiller.
Switch.
Yeah,
Exhale,
Right?
Inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale left.
Inhale it.
Switch and exhale write.
And inhale right.
Switch.
Exhale left.
Relax the hands.
Breathe comfortably through both nostrils.
Relax the shoulders,
Relax the face.
Awareness inward,
Focused on the breath.
Noticing any Energetic awareness at the opening of the nostrils.
Maybe up into the space of the inner corners of your eyes.
Or even up to the space of your third eye.
Just be aware of these areas as you breathe.
And this concludes our Nadi Shodhana Pranayama.
If you'd like,
You can bring hands to prayer,
Gently bowing the head.
Offering gratitude for this moment.
Continuing to return to this practice,
Refining your awareness of breath.
Working on the most subtle levels.
Prana Pranamaya Kosha.
And may the light of this practice Illuminate your body and mind.
May that light shine so bright.
Into the lives of all those around you.
Om peace.
Peace.
Peace.
Shanti,
Shanti,
Shanti.
Namaste.
Before you open your eyes,
Rub your palms,
Warm up your hands.
And when the hands feel nice and warm,
You cover the eyes.
Feel that nourishment.
Nice warmth nourishing the eyes.
When you're ready,
You open the eyes,
Release the hands.
I thank you so very much for joining,
And I hope to see you very soon.
