So, as I mentioned in the first blog post, the Sacred Line is the head and spine. Sacred Line Spirituality is the practice of connecting to the life force that is concentrated there. A practice indicates that there is some action to take. Hence, the business tagline, “Rituals for Every Day Living”. Indeed, there are simple techniques that you can apply to draw closer to your spiritual centre. Today, I’ll share the powerful technique of alternate nostril breathing.
Alternate nostril breathing gives everything away in the name. It is a breathing method that involves breathing out of one nostril at a time. It is an ancient technique for balancing the body and brain by cleansing two primary channels. In fact, “nadi shodhana”, the original Sanskrit name for this practice means “channel purification”.
One channel is related to each nostril. The basic principle is, “in with the new and out with the old”. As you breathe in through one nostril, it refreshes, rejuvenates and re-energizes the associated channel. As you breathe out through that nostril, it releases any waste, stagnant energy or other blockages that may be interrupting the ideal flow of energy along that channel.
For ease, you can think of the channel associated with your right nostril as your gas pedal. The left nostril channel is the brake. For the majority of your day, you drive unconsciously. Without thought, your body responds automatically to your circumstances. Your boss calls you into their office. Unconsciously, you hit the gas pedal. Your heart rate goes up, you breathe faster, your temperature rises and your stress level increases.
When you arrive in the office, your boss is friendly, smiling and welcomes you with a warm handshake and a comfortable chair. They explain that the have invited you in to congratulate you on the successful completion of your last project. You’re bathed in praise, told that they recognize you as a huge asset to the company and, as a token of their appreciation, will be receiving a sizeable bonus.
The shift in the environment moves the foot of your unconscious mind off the accelerator and onto the brake. You enter rest and relax mode. Your heart rate slows, your breathing eases, your body cools and you act naturally.
Alternate nostril breathing puts you in the drivers seat. As it clears the two opposing channels, it shifts you into neutral. The neutral state allows you the primary benefit of each channel. The gift of the right nostril channel, associated with the active side of the nervous system, is alertness. What the left nostril has to offer is relaxation. In the neutral state, you are alert and relaxed. Driving through your day in this manner allows you to be responsive to your situation consciously choosing when you speed up into action or slow down into appreciation and observation.
Zooming in, the right nostril is associated with the left brain and right side of the body. The left nostril, naturally, is the opposite. It is connected to the right brain and left side of the body. As you clean and clear both channels through alternate nostril breathing, you access the full capacity of your body and brain.
Alternate nostril breathing:
- calms your mind
- balances the right and left hemispheres of the brain
- increases your focus
- relaxes your body
- supports mindfulness
To tap into these benefits, sit comfortably with your spine upright but relaxed. Raise your right hand and place your thumb pad on the wing of your right nostril. Make a peace sign with your first and second finger, resting their tips comfortably around the level of the eyebrows. Then, allow the pad of your ring finger to rest on the wing of your left nostril.
Inhale through the left nostril while gently closing the right with your thumb tip. Keep your head neutral and breathe in your own natural rhythm. At the end of the inhale, close the left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through the right. Then, inhale right, exhale left, inhale left exhale right, continuing this cycle for 3-5 minutes. If at any time during the practice you feel short of breath or uneasy, return to your own natural way of breathing, returning to the practice when you are ready or making an appointment with your healthcare professional to make sure that the practice is suitable for your current condition.
Alternate nostril breathing is a ritual for every day living. It will help you to move closer to the Sacred Line, the centre of life where intuition, insight and contentment reside.