I know that may seem like a really odd question. :) But it can make a HUGE difference in your energy.
Breathing through your right nostril is energizing; breathing through the left is calming. Many of you may have heard of alternate-nostril breathing, or even practiced it in a yoga class. It's a breathing technique ("pranayam" in yogic language) that involves exactly that - breathing through alternating nostrils.
While that may sound really complicated, or even ridiculous, it's simple and very effective. Here's how:
Make the "Hang Ten" sign with one hand (a loose fist with your thumb and pinky finger extended) and center it just below your nose, slightly away from your face, palm facing in. I'll explain as if you're using your right hand. If you're using your left, the only difference is that your thumb and pinky finger will be switched, so when I say "thumb" you'll change it to pinky and vice versa. Of course, you can use any hand formation that works for you, I just love the "chill out, take it easy" symbolism of this one :)
Inhale, then close off the right nostril with your thumb (just press the pad of your thumb against the right side of your nose - you don't need to apply a lot of pressure). Keep it there as you exhale then inhale through the left nostril. At the top of that inhale, block the left side of your nose with your pinky and let the thumb come away from the right to open that side. Exhale through the right nostril, then (keeping the left side closed) inhale through the right. At the top of the inhale, switch sides again, bringing the thumb to the right side, letting the pinky separate away from the left. Exhale left, inhale left, press pinky, open thumb. Exhale right, inhale right, press thumb, open pinky. Slow and gentle - this isn't a race. You might explore how fully and deeply you can inhale and how completely you can exhale.
And that's all there is to alternate nostril breathing. It can seem like a lot to process when you're reading the words, so my suggestion is to position the previous paragraph on your screen so that you can see it without scrolling and just follow along while you're reading. It's much simpler than it may seem. You can practice that technique anytime you're feeling off-center, scattered, unbalanced. Start by practicing 3 rounds (a round is an inhale and an exhale on each side, so 6 changes of your hand position), and gradually work your way up. If you ever feel light-headed, just stop and breathe normally.
Our bodies naturally cycle which nostril we're breathing primarily through about every 2 1/2 hours, without us having to think about it or do anything. Pretty amazing, huh?!? AND, you can affect your energy levels simply by changing your breath.
Breathing through your left nostril is calming; breathing through your right is energizing. If you're feeling depleted and need a quick energy boost, before you reach for the sugar or the caffeine, try closing off your left nostril and breathing through your right for several breaths, 1-3 minutes. If you're feeling frazzled, panicked, or can't sleep, close off the right nostril and breathe through the left (at night, you can lie on your right side).
Alternate-nostril breathing offers a multitude of benefits, including a sharper, clearer mind, more energy, clearer lungs, a calmer nervous system, better sleep, and more even emotions. Best of all, it's simple, doesn't require any equipment, and can be practiced anytime and anyplace. If you're self-conscious about "looking funny", you can always try just mentally directing the flow of breath, focusing on breathing out through the left, in through the left, the out through the right, in through the right.
Happy breathing! :)
Breathing through your right nostril is energizing; breathing through the left is calming. Many of you may have heard of alternate-nostril breathing, or even practiced it in a yoga class. It's a breathing technique ("pranayam" in yogic language) that involves exactly that - breathing through alternating nostrils.
While that may sound really complicated, or even ridiculous, it's simple and very effective. Here's how:
Make the "Hang Ten" sign with one hand (a loose fist with your thumb and pinky finger extended) and center it just below your nose, slightly away from your face, palm facing in. I'll explain as if you're using your right hand. If you're using your left, the only difference is that your thumb and pinky finger will be switched, so when I say "thumb" you'll change it to pinky and vice versa. Of course, you can use any hand formation that works for you, I just love the "chill out, take it easy" symbolism of this one :)
Inhale, then close off the right nostril with your thumb (just press the pad of your thumb against the right side of your nose - you don't need to apply a lot of pressure). Keep it there as you exhale then inhale through the left nostril. At the top of that inhale, block the left side of your nose with your pinky and let the thumb come away from the right to open that side. Exhale through the right nostril, then (keeping the left side closed) inhale through the right. At the top of the inhale, switch sides again, bringing the thumb to the right side, letting the pinky separate away from the left. Exhale left, inhale left, press pinky, open thumb. Exhale right, inhale right, press thumb, open pinky. Slow and gentle - this isn't a race. You might explore how fully and deeply you can inhale and how completely you can exhale.
And that's all there is to alternate nostril breathing. It can seem like a lot to process when you're reading the words, so my suggestion is to position the previous paragraph on your screen so that you can see it without scrolling and just follow along while you're reading. It's much simpler than it may seem. You can practice that technique anytime you're feeling off-center, scattered, unbalanced. Start by practicing 3 rounds (a round is an inhale and an exhale on each side, so 6 changes of your hand position), and gradually work your way up. If you ever feel light-headed, just stop and breathe normally.
Our bodies naturally cycle which nostril we're breathing primarily through about every 2 1/2 hours, without us having to think about it or do anything. Pretty amazing, huh?!? AND, you can affect your energy levels simply by changing your breath.
Breathing through your left nostril is calming; breathing through your right is energizing. If you're feeling depleted and need a quick energy boost, before you reach for the sugar or the caffeine, try closing off your left nostril and breathing through your right for several breaths, 1-3 minutes. If you're feeling frazzled, panicked, or can't sleep, close off the right nostril and breathe through the left (at night, you can lie on your right side).
Alternate-nostril breathing offers a multitude of benefits, including a sharper, clearer mind, more energy, clearer lungs, a calmer nervous system, better sleep, and more even emotions. Best of all, it's simple, doesn't require any equipment, and can be practiced anytime and anyplace. If you're self-conscious about "looking funny", you can always try just mentally directing the flow of breath, focusing on breathing out through the left, in through the left, the out through the right, in through the right.
Happy breathing! :)
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