Benefits of Alternate Nostril Breathing Practice

Alternate Nostril breathing is when you hold one nostril shut & breathe through the other, change nostrils & repeat the process.  Check out the tutorial on YouTube here

 The Breath

First, let’s talk about the breath.  When you breathe, the oxygen in the air travels into the lungs, across the lining of the lungs & into your blood stream.  Your blood then travels all around the body delivering fresh oxygen to the cells.  There’s also the waste portion of the respiratory system of producing carbon dioxide.  The carbon dioxide is deposited back into the blood stream & travels back to the lungs.  It then passes through the lungs & we breathe it out. 

Breathing exercises are when we consciously think about the breath instead of the normal automatically doing it.  Concentrating on the breath offers many benefits:

·        Reduce stress & anxiety

·        Good for the heart, heart rate & blood pressure

·        Improve brain function, memory and movement

·        Help you relax & sleep better

·        Improve lung function

 What is Alternate Nostril Breathing

Alternate Nostril Breathing is the practice of breathing slowly & gently through one nostril, while keeping the other closed off.  You then swap the nostrils.  This practice can be calming, relaxing & grounding.  It can be done on its own or as part of your meditation practice.

It’s also referred to as Nadi Shodhan pranayama if you enjoy the Sanskrit version 😊

 Variations of Alternate Nostril Breathing

There are a few variations but all have the same basic foundation to follow – breathing in & out of one nostril at a time.  Here are a few options to try:

·        Breath in one nostril & out the other

·        Breath in & out the same nostril & switch

·        Breath in & out the same nostril multiple times & switch

·        Pause the breath at the top of the inhale & bottom of the exhale

 When to Practice Alternate Nostril Breathing

Regularly practicing gives you the most benefits.  A couple times a day is great but anything is better than nothing!  You can practice when stressed & anxious.  Before a big meeting or public speech.  Part of your meditation or at the end of your yoga practice. It’s a safe breathing practice for most people for anytime of day or reason.