How To: Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing for Balance, Relaxation, and Focus)

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing) is a pranayama (breathing technique) that is tri-doshic and supremely balancing. At once it relaxes & energizes and provides calmness & focus. WIt’s a technique so simple yet powerful that it was used by Hillary Clinton during and after her campaign. In her words, “[I] tried alternate nostril breathing; I highly recommend it. It kind of calms you down.” Students of our Yoga College program have called it “Instant Yogic Prozac.”

Benefits of Nadi Shodhana

• Tri-Doshic: Healthy for all three Ayurvedic doshas
• Accessible: Easy to learn, and can be performed by anyone, anywhere.
• Purifying: De-toxifying for the body and mind. Cleanses the energetic channels known as Nadis, thereby helps open the Chakras.
• Stress-Relieving: Reduces the heart rate, calms the nervous system, and brings peace to the mind.
• Balancing: Brings balance to the left hemisphere (analysis, logic, reasoning) and right hemisphere (creativity, imagination, intuition) of the brain, solar and lunar aspects, and Pingala and Ida Nadis.
• Mental Prowess: Improves focus, ability to concentrate, and gently improves alertness.
• Respiration: Teaches healthy breathing habits. Fills the body with oxygen, removes stagnant air from lungs.

Guided Meditation: Nadi Shodhana for Deep Relaxation and Energetic Cleansing

Enjoy a guided experience of Nadi Shodhana by Danny Litvin, lead trainer at The Ayurveda and Yoga Institute. In this exploration, you will enjoy deep relaxation and gentle energetic cleansing.