Today I'm going to share with you one of the best methods of Pranayama for relaxation and stress release. (For more about Pranayama, click here and here) Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, or Alternate Nostril Breathing, is a really fantastic way to de-clutter your mind and help you relax. It's so good for relaxation, in fact, that it's particularly good to practice in bed if you're having trouble sleeping. It helps to clear the energetic channels to allow the mind to be at peace- it even says so right in the name! Nadi- subtle energy channel; Shodhan- purification; Pranayama - breath control, breath work.
To practice Nadi Shodhan Pranayama- come to sit comfortably with your spine straight. Relax the muscles in your face and especially your jaw. Take your right hand, and bring the thumb to your right nostril, your ring finger to your left nostril. The index finger and middle finger can just rest comfortably in the middle or you can bring them to rest on your third eye, at your brow point. Use your thumb to block the right nostril, and inhale deeply through your left nostril. Use your ring finger to close off the left nostril, and exhale through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril, close it off with your thumb, and exhale through the left nostril. Continue to cycle your breaths in this way, remembering to keep your breaths deep and smooth. You can continue to practice this Pranayama for as long as you would like, and then simply allow your breath to return to its normal pattern.
As I mentioned before, this is a really wonderful way to still the mind. It gives your mind a small task to focus on to keep you firmly in the present, and keeps you in the meditative state of watching your breath. It can also be really helpful for clearing the physical channels of the nostrils, ensuring that both sides are open and even- wonderfully therapeutic for the stuffiness that sometimes comes along with the changing seasons.
On that note, I think I'll be practicing some Alternate Nostril Breathing before it's lights out for this yogi mama. Sweet dreams and namaste y'all!
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