The nose is for breathing, the mouth is for eating. ~Proverb
Breath is our life force! It nourishes our cells. It nourishes our tissues and brings life into our being. Life depends upon breathing. Science says that life can survive a few days without water, a few more days without food, but only a few minutes without breathing. Human beings breathe approximately 15 times per minute -approximately 21,600 times per day. Your nose is directly linked to your brain and nervous system. The Indian yogis believe that many diseases can be linked to disturbed nasal breathing which, perhaps, is why they perfected pranayama breathing thousands of year ago.
Benefits of the Alternate Nostril Breath
- Has a wonderful calming effect on the nervous system
- Helps to overcome insomnia
- Relaxes and refreshes the body
- Purifies the bloodstream and aerates the lungs
- Soothes headaches
- Improves digestion and appetite
- Helps to free the mind of anxiety and depression
- Use right thumb to close off right nostril.
- Inhale slowly through left nostril (try to hold for a count of 4 initially, then gradually increase).
- Pause for a second
- Now close left nostril with ring finger and release thumb off right nostril
- Exhale through your right nostril
- Now, inhale through right nostril
- Pause
- Use thumb to close of right nostril
- Breathe out through left nostril (Try counting to 4 initially, while gradually increasing to a count of 8).
- Start slowly with 1 or 2 rounds and gradually increase. You never force and you will want to sit quietly for a few moments after you have finished.
Breath is Spirit. The act of breathing is Living. ~Author Unknown
Stay Breathing,
Pat
