Nadi Shodhan Pranayama

What is Nadi Shodhan Pranayama?

Nadi Shodhan is popularly known as alternate nostril breathing. There is another term, which has been recently coined by medical experts – cardiac coherence breathing. In yogic terms, it is a balancing pranayama. It increases awareness and sensitivity to the breath in the nostrils. Minor blockages are removed and the flow of breath in both nostrils becomes more balanced. Breathing through the left nostril tends to activate the right brain hemisphere; breathing through the right nostril activates the left hemisphere. The long, slow, balanced breathing has profound effects, calming and balancing the energies.

Benefits of Nadi Shodhan

This pranayama relieves anxiety and improves concentration. It establishes a calming rhythm for the brain and heart, assisting people with cardiovascular and nervous disorders specifically, and stress-related conditions generally. As you develop longer inhalation and exhalation, the breath slows down. The respiration becomes more efficient because the air-flow is smoother and less turbulent. It helps people with respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis.

Special ratio for Hypertension

1:2 ratio gives profound relaxation. The heart beat and pulse rate slow, and blood pressure drops. This ratio should be developed very gradually. The method is to check how slow you can exhale till you cannot exhale anymore. Make a note of the maximum exhalation time in number of seconds. The inhalation would be half of that. For example, if your maximum exhalation capacity is 6 seconds, you have to inhale completely in 3 seconds. So, while practicing nadi shodhan, inhale from the left nostril in 3 seconds, exhale through the right in 6 seconds, then inhale through the right nostril in 3 seconds and exhale through the left in 6 seconds. This is 1 round. Practice atleast 10 rounds.

Conclusion

To summarize everything mentioned above, Nadi Shodhan ensures that the whole body is nourished by an extra supply of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is efficiently expelled, and the blood is purified of toxins. The brain centres are stimulated to work nearer to their optimum capacity. It also induces tranquillity, clarity of thought and concentration, and is recommended for those engaged in mental work. It increases vitality and lowers levels of stress and anxiety by harmonizing the pranas. It clears pranic blockages, stimulates ajna chakra and balances ida and pingala nadis, causing sushumna nadi to flow, which leads to deep states of meditation and spiritual awakening.

There are about 18 different ratios in this pranayama and it takes years to master all of them. And the effort is worth it, that much I can promise you!