Did you know that when your breathing though out the day, one of your nostrils (either the right or left) is more open than the other?
In fact, you can pause right now and use your fingers to close one nostril and take a few deep breaths. Then close the other nostril and take a few deep breaths.
Notice which one is more open and which one you can breathe more freely through…
If the right nostril is more open it means that the left side of your brain is more dominant and functioning at a greater capacity.
The left side of your brain is responsible for controlling the right side of your body and performs tasks that have to do with logic such as in science, math, data analysis and critical thinking.
If your left nostril is more open it means that the right side of your brain is more dominant and functioning at a greater capacity.
The right side of your brain is responsible for controlling the left side of your body and performs tasks that have do with creativity and the arts. It is connected to more feeling sensations and your intuition.
So, when one of your nostrils is more open, you are essentially using one side or half of your brain more than the other. This also means that you are not in complete balance or harmony and this is quite natural and normal process for most people.
In yoga and ayurveda, it is said that when both of your nostrils are open and flowing evenly, you are in a state of balance and equanimity. In this state your brain is essentially functioning in a balanced way and your mind becomes still, focused and more aware.
One way to get into this state is through solar and lunar breathing; otherwise known as alternate nostril breathing or “Nadi Shodhana”.
Alternate Nostril breathing is a method whereby you balance your mind, emotions and energy – the right-left brain hemispheres come into a state of balance and equanimity.
In this state of higher awareness, you also balance your sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system. You can perform your actions from a calm, centered and composed space.
To practice this breathing technique you need to be seated with a straight spine – your head, neck and trunk aligned.
Use your thumb and ring finger of your right hand to block off your right and left nostril, so you are breathing only through one nostril at a time.
Note: The thumb of the right hand blocks the right nostril and the ring finger of the right hand blocks the left nostril.
Those fingers are moved back and forth to block one nostril at a time, allowing the other nostril to flow.
This cycle will be repeated several times as follows:
- Exhale and inhale from one nostril five times while blocking the other nostril with your fingers as mentioned above. Then, do the same thing five times with the other nostril.
That is one “round.” Doing three rounds is a considered a complete practice.
This is one specific method of alternate nostril breathing that is easy to understand.
Breathing through the right nostril stimulates the solar energy. Breathing through the left nostril stimulates the lunar energy.
If you want to energize yourself, such as first thing in the morning – start with left nostril breathing and end with right nostril breathing. This will activate the solar energy.
If you want to calm and relax yourself, such as in the evening or before bed – start with right nostril breathing and end with left nostril breathing. This will activate the lunar energy.
The inhales and exhales should be equal – a 1:1 ratio but as you progress your exhales can be twice the inhales – a 1:2 ratio.
You can also gradually increase the length of your breath.
Remember you are balancing your solar (sun) and lunar (moon) energies.
After the practice you should feel both nostrils open for some time. This is what balances the brain and allows you to experience higher states of awareness or consciousness so you can perform your duties in an optimum state of balance.