Breathe Easy: The Simple Yoga Trick to Zap Stress and Boost Your Mojo

Stress is an unavoidable part of modern life, and it can have a significant impact on our health. Long-term stress can lead to a range of issues, including pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and poor lifestyle choices. Fortunately, there is an ancient technique that can help to alleviate stress and restore balance to your body and mind: Alternate Nostril Breathing.

The Power of Alternate Nostril Breathing

Alternate nostril breathing, or nadi shodhana pranayama, is a potent meditative breathing exercise that can be learned and practiced in just a few minutes each day. This technique helps to calm the mind, open congested energy centers, and restore normal breathing patterns and muscle tension. Yoga teachings assert that this method balances the right and left brain hemispheres, promoting mental clarity and emotional equilibrium.

Practicing alternate nostril breathing on a regular basis will induce deep relaxation, reducing physical and psychological stress levels and normalizing blood pressure. Furthermore, regular practice can alleviate headaches, combat insomnia, and help to address anxiety and depression.

Preparing for Alternate Nostril Breathing

Before you begin, make a mudra (a specific hand position) with your left hand by connecting your index finger and thumb. Rest your left hand, palm up, on your left thigh.

Next, open your right hand and use your thumb to block your right nostril. Place your middle finger of your right hand on the space between your eyebrows, known as your “third eye.” Massage this area several times by moving your finger upwards and downwards. This process is said to open the energy channels in your head and mind, which can become blocked as a result of stress and worry. Performing this exercise each morning can help to energize your body.

How to Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing

The key to alternate nostril breathing is to alternate which nostril you inhale and exhale through and to change the order each time. To begin, keep your hands in their current positions and inhale deeply. Then, exhale slowly through your left nostril.

Now, breathe in through your left nostril and use your right pinky finger to close it so that both nostrils are closed. Remove your thumb from your right nostril, opening it, and exhale fully through it.

Make sure to lengthen your spine upward as you take a deep inhalation through your right nostril. Close your right nostril with your thumb again so that both nostrils are sealed. After a brief pause, move your pinky finger and exhale through your left nostril.

Building a Daily Routine

To maximize the benefits of alternate nostril breathing, practice the technique three times a day: once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening, spending one minute each time. You may also want to practice for two minutes before bed to promote a good night’s sleep.

Try incorporating alternate nostril breathing into your daily routine for a month and take note of any changes you feel during that time. Once you are familiar with the technique and have experienced its positive effects, you can reduce the frequency of your practice and use it as a tool for finding balance whenever you need it.

Further Resources

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of alternate nostril breathing and other stress-relieving techniques, consider exploring the following resources: