Cleansing the Canals

Nadi Shodhana - Cleansing the Canals

This is a cleansing exercise, which simultaneously relieves of obstructions and balances the flow of vital energy with the help of breathing, alternately passing through one or the other nostril.

This is a cleansing exercise, which simultaneously relieves of obstructions and balances the flow of vital energy with the help of breathing, alternately passing through one or the other nostril. Exercise soothes the nervous system and is often used as a precursor to meditation.

In yoga practice, the nostrils are considered not just holes through which air enters, but gates to enter the vast system of internal energy. Nadi Shodhana develops sensitivity to the sensations that accompany the flow of breath passing through each nostril.

The word "Nadi" means "river" or "channel" along which energy moves. The nadi system that exists in our body consists of thousands of such channels and related tributaries, small channels and their mergers. This system is called the subtle human anatomy. Among these many channels, three main ones stand out, which control the general state of the body and determine our mood as a whole. They are located along the spinal column. The central channel rises up right in the center of the spine, and the other two rise flexibly on the sides of the central one, intersecting with it and with each other at some points. The channel that ends in the left nostril is called “ida”, and the channel that ends in the right nostril is called “pingala”. The central channel is called "sushumna."

Nasal rhythm

Thousands of years ago, people already knew what is now confirmed by scientific research: we do not breathe equally through both nostrils.

If you now observe your breathing, you will notice that air passes through one nostril more freely than through another, or that one nostril hardly breathes, while the other passes almost all the air to the lungs and from the lungs.

This means that only one nostril works. This difference is the result of a natural alternation of nostril activity that occurs around the clock, day and night. In modern research, this is called the "nasal rhythm." The breathing of a particular nostril is directly related to the activity of the cerebral hemispheres.

When the right nostril dominates, the left hemisphere works intensely, which means that it is easier to direct attention inward - increasing intuition, creative activity. The parasympathetic prevails in the work of the nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation, tissue growth and regeneration. The activity time of the right nostril is a mode of energy storage.

When the left nostril dominates, the right hemisphere and the sympathetic nervous system prevail. Increased analytical thinking and centers of verbal communication (hearing, speech, writing, reading), increased physical activity of the body. At this time, there is a consumption of internal energy in the outside world.

If both nostrils work, then both hemispheres work in unison. This happens approximately every hour and a half, at the time of the change in the work of the nostrils. In this short period, lasting several minutes, no activity is adverse. Sushumna is active, and the mind is swallowed by emptiness.

When this rhythm is relatively uniform, and the difference in activity of the left and right nostrils is not too striking, we say that the cycle is balanced. When the prevalence on one side is too long or when one nostril is blocked, the rhythm is uneven. Imbalance in the nasal rhythm is associated with mood and concentration. When one nostril does not breathe, it is very difficult to concentrate and work with attention.

There are many ways to balance the nasal rhythm. Including monitoring the cleansing of the nasal passages, performing the procedures of jala-neti and sutra-neti from the shatkarm complex, regulate your diet, sleep and wakefulness. Regular yoga classes and the practice of breathing nadi shodhana well correct irregularity and imbalance in the nasal rhythm.

As soon as the nasal rhythm returns to equilibrium, the nadi shodhana begins to work, cleansing and strengthening the nadi channel system, which leads to a new level of understanding of breathing. Breathing becomes slow and even, with time there is a feeling of inner fullness, joy and tranquility.

Preliminary preparation

Sit straight - the position of the spine is of great importance in the process of cleansing the nadi canals.
Start with deep breathing with a diaphragm and without pauses. Gradually, the duration of inspiration and exit will begin to increase.
Form the working position of the right hand:

Technique of Nadi-Shodhan

Take a breath;

Close the right nostril with your thumb;

Exhale slowly through the left;

Continuing to keep the right nostril closed, inhale through the left as quiet and deep as possible;

Close the left nostril with the ring finger and exhale through the right deeply and slowly;

When the lungs are free, take a deep breath through the right;

Close the right with your thumb;

Exhale through the left.

Continue alternating sides until 3 breaths of exhalation are performed on each side. Then lower your hands and breathe easily and freely with both nostrils.

Comments

Do the first exhale from the passive side. To do this, before practice, do several breathing cycles with both nostrils and determine which nostril is more active at the moment.

Bring attention to the flow of breath passing through the nostril, which feels more open. Then shift your attention to the less active nostril, observe your breathing. At the end, combine the two streams, feeling how they pass from the base of the nose to the point located between the eyebrows and merge into a single stream in it.

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