Nadi Shodhana sounds so much nicer that alternate nostril breathing don’t you think? The word Nadi means channel or passage through which energy and the breath flow. Shodhana means purification or cleansing. So Nadi Shodhana is a breathing practice that purifies the channels that energy flow through.
It’s interesting as you go through your day to notice what the breath is doing, where it’s going and how it feels. Often the more stressed or anxious we get the shorter and more shallow the breath gets. This is when we then find ourselves breathing into the chest, rather than the tummy! We don’t actually breath in the tummy, but by giving this cue it can help us to really use the diaphragm to it’s fullest potential and thus help us breath more effectively.
The practice of Nadi Shodhana has a quietening and relaxing effect. It helps to balance us and reduce the chatter in the mind associated with anxiety or difficulty sleeping. It’s also recommended that emphasising the right nostril breathing in the morning for energy and warmth. Right nostril breathing also potentially stimulates the “masculine” side of the brain which is about logic, communication and making choices. Using the left nostril more creates a more soothing, grounding response, useful at night before sleep. But also potentially good for getting the creative and intuitive juices flowing as it may stimulate the more emotional and creative side of the brain.
How to practice basic Nadi Shodhana
It’s important in any breathing practice that the breath is not forced, and so this is not a practice to try when you have a cold! Its also important that you feel safe and comfortable during these practices.
- Sit comfortably with a good posture.
- Breath normally in and out through the nose.
- Place the first two fingers of the right hand between the eyebrows.
- Use your right thumb to close the right nostril when required, and the right ring finger to close the left nostril when required.
- After an normal exhale, close the left nostril and inhale through the right nostril
- Close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril
- Inhale through left nostril
- Close the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril
- Inhale through the right nostril
- Continue this for five minutes, creating a calm smooth rhythm to the breath.
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