Breathe and Relax

You may have read Hillary Clinton’s comment in her book ‘What Happened?” where she describes a yoga practice – Alternate Nostril breathing. She says that it helped to get her through the challenges of the aftermath of the election.  That’s is a whole lot of stress! In yogic language it is known as Nadi Shodhana, here are just a few of the benefits:

Reduction of anxiety and stress

Lowered heart rate to relieve tension

Revitalize a tired mind and body

Preparation for deeper meditation

Alternate Nostril Breathing – a beginners guide.

-Find a comfortable seat.

-Creating a long spine, take the shoulders back and down. Rest your left palm on your left knee, bring your right index to your right nostril, press down to close the right nostril.

-Take 3 deep breaths just through the right nostril. If if feels comfortable add a count, inhale for the count of 4, exhale for 8.

-Now change sides by resting your right hand down, bring your left index to your left nostril, press down to close the left nostril.

-Take 3 deep breaths just through the left nostril. If if feels comfortable add a count, inhale for the count of 4, exhale for 8.

The above is one round.

Repeat this pattern twice more to make three rounds in total and ease back into normal breathing.