Pranayama - The Power Of Yoga Breathing

In today's scenario, it is very important for us to keep our lungs healthy and strong. At the same time it is equally important for us to not get anxious but be calm and relaxed. In this blog I will be teaching you a Pranayama which will help you to achieve exactly this.

The Pranayama is Anuloma Viloma also known as Nadi Shodhan Pranayama. I know most of you have seen or even done Anuloma Viloma Pranayama. But I have seen many people doing it wrongly and by doing it wrong you will not receive the benefit, and also harm yourself.

Anuloma Viloma Pranayama

Step 1 - Sit in comfortable cross leg position with back erect & eyes closed. If you can’t sit down sit on the chair. Do the Vishnu Mudra with the right hand (as shown in the figure). Mudras are like electric switches. When you switch on the button, you allow the energy (electricity) to pass. Similarly when you make different mudras with fingers, you allow some specific energy movement in the body. (I will write a blog on hasta mudra soon). The left hand can be kept on the thigh or the knee.

Step 2 - Gently close the right nostril with the right thumb and start inhaling through left nostril. In this pranayama the breathing should be slow, deep and without making any sound. After complete breath in, close the left nostril with the last two fingers of right hand, open the right nostril and slowly start exhaling through the right nostril. After complete exhalation, start inhaling from right nostril and the close the right nostril with the thumb and start exhaling through left nostril. This completes 1 round. You can do 5-10 such rounds as a beginner.

Step 3 - After finishing the number of rounds you want to do, drop the right hand down on the thigh or knee, and just feel the effect of the pranayama on your body & mind.

1 round of Anuloma Viloma

Left Inhale   Right Exhale   Right Inhale   Left Exhale

Probable Mistakes

  • Breathing fast
  • Making sound while breathing
  • Unnecesary body movements
  • Doing the pranayama, while walking.
  • Ending the pranayama, in between the round. (Remember, you always start the pranayama with left inhale and end with left exhale.)

Benefits

  • Improves your lung capacity and the health of your lungs.
  • Cleanses the nadis (the energy pathway). This helps the free flow of energy in the body.
  • Improves the oxygen supply to all important organs.
  • Helps to cure various mental issues like anxiety, depression, stress, tension etc.
  • Regulates the blood pressure
  • Very good practice for improving the health of your heart.

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