A Sanskrit word to get 5 minutes of relaxation
Feeling overwhelmed and anxious? And trying to get some time-out to feel peace and rest? Pranayama might be the right answer.
Pranayama is a Sanskrit word, composed by two words: prana traduces “vital life force” and yama, which means “to gain control”. Then Pranayama is a practice to gain control of and elevate the vital life force and energy. It’s a yogic practice focused on breathing exercises to get to a certain state, for example relaxation, concentration, activation and even meditation. And just as skincare, it works from the very first time but results improve with practice (what doesn’t, anyways?).
Today, we want to teach you a breathing technique that will restore peace to your entire body, it’s called Nadi Shodana – some benefits you’ll discover by practicing it, are:
🔌 Unplug yourself from all the hustle
🌪 Ease racing thoughts
🧘🏼♀️ Settle your mind, body and emotions
😴 Easily fall asleep
🍃 Calm anxiety
🧬 Rejuvenate the nervous system
🦠 Remove toxins
In order to make it happen, you don’t have to be an advanced yogi practitioner, just follow these simple steps:
1. Sit down on a comfortable seat, making sure your spine is straight and your heart is open.
2. Bring your right hand in front of your face and relax the left one over your lap.
3. Bring your pointer and middle finger between your eyebrows so you can freely move your thong and ring finger.
4. Close your eyes and breathe in and out deeply.
5. Close your right nostril with your right thong and inhale deeply and slowly through your left nostril during 3 seconds.
6. Then, close left nostril with your ring finger and hold breath for 3 seconds.
7. Release your right nostril and exhale slowly during 3 seconds.
8. Inhale once more for 3 seconds though your right side.
9. Close right nostril and hold it for 3 seconds.
10. Open your left nostril and exhale for 3 seconds.
11. Repeat 5-10 rounds more, each one should take you about 30 to 40 seconds.
Whenever you need it, Nadi Shodana will become your best relaxation allied. Remember that getting back to the center of yourself and dedicating time to your energy, are self-love moments that you should take on a daily basis!