Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing); the alternative to that extra cup of coffee!

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing); the alternative to that extra cup of coffee!

Nadi Shodhana is a powerful breathing practice you can use to refresh or simply to settle your mind.

Nadi is a Sanskrit word meaning 'channel' or 'flow' and shodhana means 'purification.' The technique is said to bring calm and balance. It can certainly help you feel more awake. It takes a lot less toll on your body than caffeine!

Alternate nostril breathingis particularly helpful when you need to ease racing thoughts if you are experiencing anxiety or stress.

You can use it whenever you need to focus or energize. Please don't use it just before bed time!

There is a video below explaining the technique but here is a simple guide.

1. Start by sitting in a comfortable upright position.
2. Close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out through your nose.
3. Hold your right thumb over your right nostril to close it and inhale deeply and slowly through your left nostril.
4. At the peak of inhalation, close off your left nostril with your ring finger, then exhale deeply and slowly through the right nostril.
5. This completes one cycle
6. Continue the pattern repeating the whole cycle 5 to 10 times.

You will be surprised how refreshed you feel.

The practice can be a great preparation for meditation. But you could use it to help prepare for that challenging conversation at home or at work.

Here is a video demonstration by  Art of Living Productions

Wendy Smith is a Life Coach with Career and Business Coaching skills. She helps people have the confidence they need to be successful at work while maintaining a good work/life balance. You can email her at wendy@wisewolfcoaching.com