Sunday, June 8, 2008

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

This yoga breathing is simply dynamic! and can be done virtually anywhere, anyplace. Nadi sodhana means purification of nadis or channels thus it clean and rejuvenate the vital channels of energy. The name alternate nostril breathing is due to the fact that we alternate between the two nostrils when we do the breathing.

Nadi Shodhana

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)


We breathe through only one nostril at a time in this breathing. In a mature healthy person the breath will alternate between nostrils about every two hours during the day. The effect will be adverse if the breath continues to flow in 1 nostril for more than 2 hrs, which could be in most of us. If the right nostril is involved, the result is mental and nervous disturbance. If the left nostril is involved, the result is chronic fatigue and reduced brain function. The longer the flow of breath in one nostril, the more serious the illness will be.

Benefits of Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
The exercise produces optimum function to both sides of the brain: that is optimum creativity and optimum logical verbal activity and create a balanced person, since both halves of the brain are functioning property. Yoig believe this to be a best technique to calm the mind and the nervous system.


Technique

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
Nadi Sodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)


1.With your right thumb, Close the right nostril and take air through the left nostril. Do this to the count of 4 seconds.

2.Immediately close the left nostril with your right ring finger and little finger, and at the same time remove your thumb from the right nostril, and exhale through this nostril. Do this to the count of 8 seconds which completes a half round.

3.Again. take air through the right nostril as before to the count of 4 seconds. Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left nostril to the count of 8 seconds. This completes one full round.

Initially, do 3 rounds. make it to 7 rounds adding 1 per week.

If you have a cold or if your nasal passages are blocked in any way, you must not practice this exercise.

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