Nadi Shodhana, or “alternate nostril breathing,” is a simple but powerful technique that can help to promote well-being, and help to calm the mind, body and emotions. It is particularly helpful to ease racing thoughts if you are experiencing anxiety, stress or having trouble falling asleep.
Patricia Martin from CDRCN demonstrates the alternate nostril breathing technique in this short video.
In addition to calming the mind, alternate nostril breathing can:
- Lower stress and improve cardiovascular function
- Help to improve lung function and respiratory endurance
- Help to lower heart rate
- Promote well-being
It is a simple practice that can be done anywhere, anytime. We hope that this may help some of you cope with stress and anxiety that you may experience in your lives, particularly during the coronavirus crisis.
Please remember – breathing techniques are not a substitute for medical treatment. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any breathing practice, especially if you have any medical concerns or conditions. If you feel any adverse effects while doing the breathing technique, you should stop immediately.