How’s your energy? Are you flagging a little? I’m sharing some super easy energy tips for today + every day!
No need to resort to those ghastly energy drinks..breathe!
Alternate Nostril Breathing is a yoga technique that makes you feel calm and peaceful. While at the same time helping you feel more energetic. Easy energy tips. And its free. Read on and give it a whirl. You’ll like it.
And changing things up a bit…Today we have a Guest Blogger.
A successful graduate of the Holistic Foot Reflexology Training Program, Richard Woods, Certified Sivananda Yoga Teacher, RYT, shared this simple exercise in class. Just breathe easy energy tips.
Alternate Nostril Breathing – Anuloma Viloma
Anuloma Viloma is a simple Sivananda breathing technique that strengthens the respiratory system and helps to keep the mind calm, happy and peaceful. A few minutes of this breathing technique also helps to release accumulated tension and fatigue. It helps to harmonize the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which correlate to the logical and emotional sides of our personality.
Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique
Sit comfortably with your spine erect and shoulders relaxed. Keep the muscles on your face relaxed with eyes closed with no tension in the eyelids.
Place your left hand on the left knee, palms open to the sky or in Chin Mudra (thumb and index finger gently touching at the tips).
Place the tip of the index finger and middle finger of the right hand between the eyebrows (the Ajna Chakra).
Next, place the ring finger and little finger of the right hand on the left nostril, and the thumb on the right nostril. You will use the ring finger and little finger to open or close the left nostril and thumb to open and close the right nostril.
Press your thumb down on the right nostril, release the left nostril and breathe out gently through the left nostril consciously pushing in your abdomen to empty the lungs.
Inhale from the left nostril to the count of three and then press the left nostril gently with the ring finger and little finger keeping both nostrils closed for the count of nine.
And remove the right thumb from the right nostril, exhale from the right to the count of six.
Inhale from the right nostril to the count of 3, pinch both nostrils and hold for the count of 9.
As you exhale from the left nostril, count to 6. You have now completed one round of Anuloma Viloma breathing.
Continue inhaling and exhaling from alternate nostrils in this same manner until you have completed 9 rounds.
After every exhalation, remember to breathe in from the same nostril from which you exhaled. Keep your eyes closed throughout and continue taking long, deep, smooth breaths without any force or effort.
Anuloma Viloma breathing helps relax the mind and prepares it to enter a meditative state. So, it is a good idea to sit quietly in meditation after the breathing practice.
Benefits of Anuloma Viloma Breathing
- Revitalizes Pranic Energy
- Improves brain function
- Cleanses the lungs
- Calms an agitated mind
- Merges the left “thinking” brain and right “feeling” brain
- Encourages a calmer emotional state
- Improves sleep
- Prepares you for meditation
- Soothes the nervous system
- Regulates the cooling and warming cycles of the body
- Clears and boosts your energy channels
- Enhances rest and relaxation
Caution
Do not hold your breath if you have high blood pressure. More advanced methods of alternate nostril breathing should be practiced with an experienced Teacher. Practicing on an empty stomach one and half to two hours after food has been consumed is essential to achieve the benefits of this practice.
Namasté,
Richard Woods, n.d.c., Yoga Therapist, R.Y.T.,
Holistic Nutritionist
And don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers…
I am familiar with this technique. There are many wonderful breathing techniques that certainly do clear our mind and cleanse our body from toxins. Thanks for sharing!
Well done you!
My yoga teacher used to do this in class with us a lot. I always enjoyed this technique, but since she left I hardly ever do it. Thanks for the reminder.
Fabulous to know! xox
Hmmm… this is very cool. I’ve not been introduced to this breathing technique before but I plan to use it often, especially prior to meditating. Thanks for sharing Jacqueline <3
Groovy. Let me know how it goes for you.
Thanks for the reminder to breathe!! I often catch myself holding my breath or breathing shallow. I find this interesting because you need to breath to survive…so why would I be holding back on it??
Making ourselves small when under attack, we freeze! It’s left over from fight or flight…I find myself shallow breathing under stress and this simple technique brings me back to the now.
Hi Jacqueline- One of my favorite techniques:-) so many benefits from one simple exercise. I’ve also been practicing kundalini for many month now. Thank you for sharing! Beautiful picture xo Dana
Ooh…Kundalini yoga and breath of fire…one of my daily practices. Love it! Thanks for sharing Dana
Just got off the phone with Inga…who just recently turned 85. She has been practicing this breathing technique 3 times each day for five minutes since I taught it to her 5 years ago. She thanked me and reminded me that she has not had to take any blood pressure medication for the last five years…now that is a testimony to what conscious breathing can do for the body and the spirit!!!
Awesome. Thanks for sharing both the article and the testimonial Richard. I’m inspired to be more regular in my conscious breathing practices. Keep up the good work!
That’s awesome!
Ah, this reminds me of my favorite yoga class, which I haven’t been to in years. I always felt so peaceful after doing this, so thank you for inspiring me to go back to that class!
Woohoo! Love to inspire. Maybe we’ll see some yogic tradition inspired recipes on your blog soon?
Thanks for sharing Jacqueline, can’t wait to try this breathing method next time I need to relax or need more energy – and who does not need more energy?
It is amazing how breathing can calm us down – sometimes we are so stressed, preoccupied and upset that we forget to breath deeply. We take the time to breath.
Definitely…any conscious breathing will calm and relax…and increase our energy. Have fun with this one.