NADI SODHAN

 Known as “Energy Channel Cleaning Breath” (Or “Psychic Network Purification”)

 Alternate nostril breathing
 This is a balancing pranayama
 Uses the Pranav mudra (see handout on Pranayama Postures for pictures)
 This is a very powerful technique that greatly affects your energies and doshas*

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

 Colds  Fever
 Flu

BENEFITS:

 Balances energies  Relieves anxiety

 Balances brain hemispheres  Promotes relaxation
 Balances doshas  Reduces stress
 Balances blood pressure (counters both  Relieves symptoms of asthma,
hyper- and hypotension) emphysema, and bronchitis
 Balances weight  Improves focus
 Combats both hyper- and
hypothyroidism

PRECAUTIONS:

 Make sure both nostrils are clear before you start, and that breath is flowing evenly through both

What are doshas?

Traditional Ayurveda states that we are all made up of 3 doshas, or qualities, that
are each associated with different elements: Vatta (air, space), Pitta (fire), and
Kapha (water, earth). We are each born with a dominant dosha, and the amount of
each dosha present in us affects everything from the way we look to the way we
feel. Imbalanced doshas are the cause of all illness according to Ayurveda. This is a
very complex topic that I encourage you to explore further, but an in-depth
discussion of Ayurveda is well beyond the scope of this course. The important thing
to understand here is that balancing your doshas leads to better health.
NADI SODHAN
TECHNIQUE:

 Sit up straight in a comfortable pranayama position and close your eyes. Relax and draw your focus
inward
 Bring your right hand into Pranav Mudra. Bring your index and middle finger together and place them
on your forehead. Have your thumb out and your ring finger and pinky out and touching each other
 Close your right nostril with your right thumb
 Inhale through your left nostril, then close it with your ring finger and pinky
 Release your thumb and exhale through the right nostril
 Inhale through the right nostril, then close it again with your thumb
 Release your ring finger and pinky, then exhale through your left nostril
 Continue to alternate your breaths between your two nostrils
 Inhale and exhale with your diaphragm and abdomen. Your shoulders should remain still and your face
relaxed
 If your right arm gets tired, you can support it with your left hand or your right knee
 You can practice this for 5-10 rounds, or continue this breath pattern for 3-5 minutes

TAKEAWAYS:

 Very calming and soothing

 Helps you focus
 Balances your body and mind

THE INCREASING BENEFITS OF NADI SODHAN

5 MINUTES =
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