Suryabhedana- An Instant Energizer

For thousands of years Indian yogis have believed that many diseases are connected to disturbed nasal breathing. The goal of Pranayama in traditional Hatha Yoga is to integrate and harmonize the breath.

Our nose is directly linked to our brain and nervous system. Another interesting fact about nostrils, is that we don't breathe through them equally all the time. If you check right now, the breath will be dominant in either your left or right nostril.

Our right nostril is associated with Surya Nadi (Sun energy) and the left is associated with the Chandra Nadi (Moon energy). The purpose of breath through alternate nostril is to create balance in the “warming" and "cooling" of the body-mind and vice versa.

Right Nostril Breathing – Suryabhedana (Surya = Sun, Bhedana = Piercing)

In Suryabhedana, the inhalation is happening through right nostril and exhalation through left nostril.

Technique

              Sit in Sukhasana or any comfortable posture. Place your thumb on left side of nose, index & middle finger in between your brows & ring finger on your right side of nose.

Step one: Use right thumb to close your left nostril.

Step two: Inhale slowly through right nostril

Step three: Pause for a second

Step four: Now close right nostril with ring finger and release thumb off the left nostril

Step five: Exhale through your left nostril.

Continue the whole process for 10 to 12 times.

Benefits

Suryabhedana creates heat in the body and activates the left part of our brain, which is associated with “Thinking” thus bring more alertness & concentration. It is also said to fortify the liver and immune system, purifies the blood and cures gas problems, intestinal ailments, leucoderma and other skin diseases.

Contraindications and Cautions

Avoid Suryabhedana if you have high blood pressure or any heart disease. 

So next time when you feel low or lethargic, just pratice few rounds of above breathing and get instantly charged up!!

The Art of Holding your Horses

You’re standing in line at the bank, the grocery store, or on hold on the phone—your feet start to tap and your blood pressure rises. You start getting agitated, and what goes through your mind -“there’s so much to do and so little time”.

But, has time really rushed up or is it our expectation of how quickly things should happen? Is it really the pace of life or the buzzing of your brain, trying to keep up with the zillion tasks and obligations on your plate?

We are in the world of INSTANT. From twitter to facebook news feed, an E mail to what’s app. Excellence is based upon the quick action and reaction. Then wonder why the stress, anxiety, depression and burn out. Cos SHUT OFF is requisite and relevant to keep us going.

So why not look at the above situation from a different perspective. What if those moments of waiting, those moments when you are forced to stop and stand still, are not an irritation, but an opportunity?

What if it’s a perfect moment to take a few deep breaths, relax your body, look around and be grateful, be joyful and observe little miracles around?

Patience is an art and one has to practice it to get better. So start with small windows of time to consciously slow down. Enjoy a long drive, play time with kids, take in the view—it’s a beautiful world out there!!

Love and Light.