I didn’t know I didn’t know how to breathe!

At the beginning of my journey I ended up seeing a doctor at the Chopra Center. I learned many things that day. Mostly all the things I didn’t know that I didn’t know – like breathing.

The two biggest take aways from that day were an introduction to an alternate way to deal with my health (Ayurveda)and the other was a breathing technique, alternate nostril breathing.

It is called Nadi Shodhana. In English, “clearing the channels.”

Use this breathing technique or practice to calm your mind and relax your body. It helps reduce your blood pressure, build lung endurance as well as focus and calm the mind.

I found that it made me almost light-headed when I did it the first time, so take it easy if you have a tendency to faint. It also made me feel super chill, at least for a few minutes. I say that is a very good thing.

The breathing technique felt strange to do at first and if you try it in public you may get some funny looks, but it really helped me. Here is the short version.

First, ideally you are sitting in a chair, back erect and have your left hand in your lap (palm facing up ideally).

Next, your right hand is going to help you alternate nostrils to breathe. Your right ring finger is going to close off your left nostril and your right thumb is going to close off your right nostril.

To start the actual technique, close your eyes. Close off your right nostril with your thumb and just breathe in through your left nostril. At the top of your breath keep your thumb in place and close off your left nostril as well with your right ring finger. Now both nostrils are closed off, pause for 2 or 3 seconds then release your thumb and exhale through your right nostril.

Are you still with me?

Ok. Next, inhale through your right nostril and at the top of your breath close off your right nostril with you thumb. Now both nostrils are closed off. Lastly, release your right ring finger and exhale through your left nostril. Take a few moments to take your natural breaths before opening your eyes.

Awesome! You have now completed a full round of this technique.

This is a good technique to do before meditation, but I have found it helpful to do 4-8 rounds of this technique when I’m stressed or having anxious thoughts and being wound up about something.

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Let me know what benefits you have felt after trying this breathing practice. Was it beneficial?