Sometimes referred to as ‘Alternate Nostril Breathing’, Nadi Shodhana literally translates to ‘cleansing of the nadis (energy channels)’ and is a beautifully blissful way to bring your mind and mood into back into balance.
This ancient Pranayama technique works by regulating the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which get disrupted by stress, fatigue and over exposure to technology.
If (like most of us) you struggle to focus when you sit down to meditate, a few rounds of Nadi Shodhana often works like a dream.
- Get comfortable, sit up tall ensuring sure your spine is straight and your heart is open
- Rest your left palm comfortably into your lap and bring your right hand just in front of your face
- Bring your right index finger and middle finger to rest between your eyebrows, at your third eye
- Rest your thumb on your right nostril and your ring finger to rest on your left nostril
- Inhale normally through both nostrils
- Close the right nostril with your right thumb and exhale through the left
- Now inhale through the left nostril
- Open the right nostril, close the left nostril and release the breath slowly through the right side
- Pause briefly at the bottom of the exhale then inhale through the right side slowly
- Open the left nostril, close the right nostril and release the breath slowly through the left side
- Repeat for 10 cycles (or more) keeping your awareness at your third eye point
The breath should be fluid and effortless. If your nose becomes blocked or you start struggling, just release the hand position and breathe normally through both nostrils as you come out of the practice.