HeyMonicaB: A Blooming Resource on Ayurveda

(photo courtesy of Eric Lon)

Alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shodhanam is what I like to call “instant calm.” Our nose is the quickest passage to our mind, so the prana reaches our brain immediately and gives a calming effect.

There are two channels that go through our nose. One is female and it’s cooling. The other is male and it’s heating. So by practicing the pranayama of nadi shodhanam, we are balancing male and female, warm and cool energies, to bring the body back to center.

I was told by one of our great teachers that if you practice this 10 minutes a day, disease cannot set in! Give it a try.

Benefits include:
Instant calm
Mental grounding
Stress relief
Anger management
Clearing of channels to enhance energy flow
Clarity of mind

How to do it: Sit upright, chest open, back straight, feet on ground or cross legged if sitting on the ground. Mouths closed. Press right thumb on right nostril and give a deep exhale out left nostril. Now, inhale left. Before the exhale, switch and press ring finger to left nostril. Exhale through right side. Inhale and then switch before the exhale. Do this 10x on each side.