Nadi Shodhana Pranayama: Steps, Benefits and Precautions
What is Nadi Shodhana pranayama?
Ever imagine if we didn't have so many mental fluctuations in a day. in yoga we talked about balance like balancing an asana on one leg, balancing our diet in healthy moderation or juggling all different areas of our life by any means .the goal is to achieve a state of mental emotional and physical equilibrium.Branum helps us to reach the state of Peace. one Branum we will practice today is Nauti shortener, which is the best practice for balancing our energy flow .
Meaning:
The word ‘Nadi’ means channel or flow of energy and ‘Shodhana’ means purification.
Why Nadi Shodhana pranayama?
Nadi shodhana is a practice which purifies the energy or
pranic channels. there are two main channels that this pranayama deals with.
which are the ‘ehre’ and ‘Pingala’. in any given moment one Nadi tends to be
more active than the other.the EDA is associated with the right brain and the
left side of the body.bringing the body to coolness. on the other side the
Pingala is associate with the left brain and the right side of the body, known
for heating and activating the body. so while we are busy doing work and
staying active the Pingala is more prominent. whereas when we are relaxed and
calm the EDA is usually more prominent. so let's get in to a comfortable
position whether it's the cosna or vag asana and practice this pranayama and
bring the balance with it.
but before we do if you are suffering from a cold flu or fever do not
practice this pranayama
Steps & Technique:
1st-Step:
first we'll check which side is more open right now the left
or the right .so sit in sukhasana or vagina and place your fingers under your
nostrils.
2nd-Step:
Now breathe normally and see which side the breath is
flowing strongly from. if the breath is coming from the left the era is more
active and if the breath is coming from the right the Pingala is more active.
3rd-Step:
Now we willpractice Nadi Shodhan. in this Branum we will use
the nose tip position called the Sagar muda,using the thumb and the ring finger
to navigate .rest the index and middle fingers gently on the eyebrow
Center.place the thumb above the right nostril and the ring finger above the
left nostril. prepared to control the flow of the breath in the nostrils. the
little finger can be relaxed or folded.
4th-Step:
Now we will begin with the warmup to prepare ourselves.
relax the whole body and close the eyes. breathe at a normal pace and silently
pass through the nostrils only. adopt the nesara mudra with the right hands
.close the right nostril with the thumb. inhale and exhale through the left
nostril five times so inhale and exhale. make sure the right nostrilis
completely closed. then release the thumb and place pressure on the left
nostril with the ring finger blocking the flow of air .inhale and exhale
through the right nostril five time inhale and exhale inhale and exhale.
5th-Step:
When you're done remove the fingers from the nostril and
breathe normally five times through both nostrils.
6th-Step:
Now let's practice alternate nostril breathing. so first you
can inhale from the left then exhale from the right inhale from the right and
exhale from the left. adopt mossad Ramudu again close the right nostril with
the thumb. inhale through the left nostril count mentally one two three and
then slowly close the left nostril and exhale and count one two three again
inhal from left and exhale from the right. The time for the inhalation and
exhalation should be equal. so if you can go up to five great if you can go up
to ten also great.
7th-Step:
One round consists of inhaling from the left exhaling from the right inhaling the right and exhaling from the left .so now do five rounds of this.
Tips While Doing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama
- This is a very good idea to do a short breathing after doing Nadi Shodhan pranayama.
- This breathing technique can also be practiced as part of the Padma Sadhana.
3 Reason to Practice Nadi Shodhan Pranayama
- This technique helps to relax our mind and prepares it to enter a meditative state.
- Practicing this pranayama for just a few minutes every day helps keep the mind calm, happy and peaceful.
- This breathing technique helps in releasing our accumulated tension and fatigue.
What should you do When these Nadis are Blocked?
Ida, Pingala and Sushumna are
three of the most important nadis in our body.
When the Ida nadi is not functioning correctly
or is blocked, one experiences cold, depression, low mental energy and
sluggish digestion, blocked left nostril. On the other side when the Pingala nadi
is not smoothly functioning or is blocked, itching body, dry skin and throat,,
excessive physical or sexual energy, and blocked right nostril and many more
issues.
Best Time to Practice:
the best time to practice this is in the early morning before
sunrise and the second best time is an
evening after sunset. Branum is ideally done after asana practice. it is also
important to perform pranam on a fairly empty stomach at least three hours
after eating.
Cautions should be Taken While Practicing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama
- Do not force the breathing, and keep the flow very gentle and natural. Do not breathe from your mouth or make any kind of sound while breathing.
- Do not use the Ujjayi breathing technique.
- Place your fingers very lightly on the forehead and nose. There is no need to apply any kind of pressure.
- In case you feel dull and are yawning after practicing this Nadi Shodhan pranayama, check the time you take to inhale and exhale. Your exhalation should be longer than the inhalation.
Nadi Shodhana pranayama Benefits
- This pranayama Infuses our body full with oxygen.
- This Clears and releases toxins of our body.
- Also Reduces stress and anxiety of our body.
- Helps to Calms and rejuvenates our nervous system.
- Helps our hormones to balance.
- Helps to Supports clear and balanced respiratory channels
- This pranayama Helps to alleviate respiratory allergies that cause hay fever, sneezing, or wheezing
- Helps to Balances solar and lunar, masculine and feminine energies of human body
- Fosters the mental clarity and an alert our mind.
- This also helps to Enhances our ability to concentrate.
- Brings balance to the left and right hemispheres of the brain
- Excellent breathing technique to calm and center of our mind.