One of the questions I get asked most frequently is 'what breathing do YOU do when you're stressed?'
I don't even need to think about it anymore. The answer is always clear: Alternate Nostril Breathing, or Nadi Shodhana.
If you've never tried it, it can be quite powerful. This pranayama practice slows your breathing down, it lowers your heart rate, it syncs both hemispheres of the brain and it purifies the energy channels in your body. And, most importantly, it REDUCES stress and anxiety!
Sound amazing? It is! But it is definitely a practice. Before you try this at home kids, start with some deep breaths through your nose. Then for 30 seconds at a time practice the alternate nostril breathing. Eventually build yourself up to 5 minutes. You'll feel instantly blissed out! Once you're comfortable with the belly breathing, you can give this a go.
Here's how to start:
Sit upright in a comfortable seated position, begin deep belly breathing through your nose. Allow your brain to quiet down and rest your attention on the breath
Press your right nostril closed with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril. Once you've taken a full inhale, gently exhale through your left nostril
After your exhale, close the left nostril with your ring and pinky finger. Inhale through your right nostril. The exhale through the right nostril.
That's one cycle. You can repeat for 30 seconds, and again, work your way up from there! Once you've completed a few cycles of breath, release the nose completely and enjoy breathing normally. Begin to notice any subtle changes.
This will be one of your most powerful 'stress-less' tools! Have it handy in times of challenge and when you feel anxiety creep up!
xo b
I don't even need to think about it anymore. The answer is always clear: Alternate Nostril Breathing, or Nadi Shodhana.
If you've never tried it, it can be quite powerful. This pranayama practice slows your breathing down, it lowers your heart rate, it syncs both hemispheres of the brain and it purifies the energy channels in your body. And, most importantly, it REDUCES stress and anxiety!
Sound amazing? It is! But it is definitely a practice. Before you try this at home kids, start with some deep breaths through your nose. Then for 30 seconds at a time practice the alternate nostril breathing. Eventually build yourself up to 5 minutes. You'll feel instantly blissed out! Once you're comfortable with the belly breathing, you can give this a go.
Here's how to start:
Sit upright in a comfortable seated position, begin deep belly breathing through your nose. Allow your brain to quiet down and rest your attention on the breath
Press your right nostril closed with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril. Once you've taken a full inhale, gently exhale through your left nostril
After your exhale, close the left nostril with your ring and pinky finger. Inhale through your right nostril. The exhale through the right nostril.
That's one cycle. You can repeat for 30 seconds, and again, work your way up from there! Once you've completed a few cycles of breath, release the nose completely and enjoy breathing normally. Begin to notice any subtle changes.
This will be one of your most powerful 'stress-less' tools! Have it handy in times of challenge and when you feel anxiety creep up!
xo b
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