Do you feel stressed? A little bit nervous? Would you like a gentle yoga exercise for this without leaving your chair / sofa?
Video: I feel stressed…
What is the alternate nostril breathing?
In yoga philosophy, it is said that we have 72000 nadis. They are the canals in which our vital energy, the Prana, circulate.
Your energy can become unbalanced, especially with stressful ways of life, what you eat, drink, smoke, pollution…
So when you practice the alternate nostril breathing, also called Anuloma Viloma, you balance your energies.
This allows you to calm your nervous system down.
This is why it can be great for anxiety, or in the evening before going to bed.
The alternate nostril breathing exercise for stress
For this exercise, take your time to sit down comfortably. If you are on a chair / sofa try to have both feet on the ground, to keep space for your spine.
Exercise 1: Practicing Vishnu mudra
First, bring your right hand in vishnu mudra, in which your index finger and middle finger touch the root of your thumb. You can exerce a gentle pressure, without pressing too much.
Practice pressing your right thumb to your right nostril, and breathing only through your left nostril.
Then practice pressing your right two last fingers to your left nostril, practicing breathing through the right only.
Exercise 2: The alternate nostril breathing
Pressing your right nostril, exhale through the left. Inhale slowly through the left.
Only if this is comfortable, you can hold the breath a moment. The right shoulder stays nice and easy.
Open your right thumb, to slowly exhale through the right. Inhale through the right.
Hold the breath.
Slowly exhale through the left.
You can repeat this exercise, counting slowly to 4 when you inhale, holding the breath (if you can only) to 8, slowly exhaling to 8.
Take your time to practice it, it might take a little bit of time for you to get comfortable.
When you are done, relax your arms, inhale deeply, and exhale slowly through your nose.
I hope you feel great in your body now.
Did you know?
1- All the exercises this month can be practices sitting down on your chair, sofa, or bed. You’re welcome.
2- I give more free material on social medias – check it out!
3- You can book your own private yoga session, which I adapt to your body and needs, online or in London! You can also share the session with a friend.
4- I teach one free, online, collective yoga class per month! So be ready for Saturday 29th of May 2021, 11AM London time.
Take care of your body, and see you soon!