A Daily Breath Practice for calm, clear thinking, more energy & better sleep

Six weeks ago I took on a personal challenge. It is called a sadhanna in Sanskrit (“a means of accomplishing something”.)  Think of it simply as a committed practice towards a desired result.

I challenged myself to practice Alternate Nostril Breathing for at least 5 minutes daily, often practicing for 5 minutes morning and night.  The benefits were truly amazing.

In the case of the Alternate Nostril Breathing the benefits are manifold and manifest quickly.

CLICK HERE for the Audio on how to do it.  or click here to read the how to.

Since you don’t breath equally through both nostrils (dominant nostril alternates every 90 minutes or so) this is a balancing, equalizing practice.  It is known that breath is a direct link to the brain and the nervous system so it stands to reason that a balancing and equalizing breathing practice will not only bring more oxygen into your body but will produce clarity and composure as well.

Right nostril=Energizing    Left Nostril=Calming

When you breath through the right nostril you are accessing the energizing qualities and through the left, the calming ones.

Some Benefits You may Experience:  I Did.

Energy Up!

Simple fact: more oxygen in the blood, hence to the brain and organs affecting everything  from liver to digestion brain etc. Read as — more energy.

Balanced Brain: Clarity and Concentration up!

This breathing pattern balances both side of the brain – thinking and feeling, the calming and the energizing.  This will replace dull, sluggish performance with clarity and enhanced concentration.

Calm Mind. Anxiety down!

Stop that racing mind.  If you are prone to stress, anxiety and worry, as I am, this is a huge benefit! The effort of regulating the breath ropes in the mind and voila, releases the strangle hold and escalating grips of anxiety and worry.

Purified lungs. Waste out!

Literally clean the lungs deep down by replacing stale old air with fresh new oxygenated air. We actually eliminate a lot of waste through our lungs!!

Sleep. Better Everything! (from mood to performance)

Overall the alternate nostril breathing will improve your sleep but here is my trick for those nights when i wake up and cannot get back to sleep (early morning awakenings are particularly prevalent in pre and menopausal women.)

TRY THIS: Lie on your right side and breath for a while only through your left nostril.  The parasympathetic nervous system will kick in to create a calmer sense of being.  Then release and breathing through both nostrils, count the breaths backwards for the count of 27.  You should be asleep in no time.

Here’s the Challenge Plan:

Every day, any time you like, take 5 minutes and do alternate nostril breathing.

If you get really ambitious do it morning and night.

Otherwise just do it whenever you can every single day for 40 days.

Report your results:

I was hoping that some of you would join me and then either report back (when you do I will send you a sample body balm if you give me your address), or just enjoy the fantastic results!!