Health and Fitness

In this pranayama, your blood receives a larger supply of oxygen than in normal breathing; your mind feels very relaxed and calm. It not only soothes your entire nervous system but also increases vitality, clarity and lowers stress levels. This is an excellent pranayama that should be done by all the students during examination time.

• Sit in a comfortable crosslegged position. Relax your entire body and keep your eyes closed. Allow your breath to become calm and rhythmic.
• Bend your right arm from the elbow. Fold your middle and index finger inwards to your palms. Bring your ring finger and the little finger towards your thumb, Vishnu mudra.
• Place your right thumb on the right side of your nose and your ring and little finger on the left side of your nose. By pressing your thumb, block your right nostril.
• Inhale slowly and deeply through your left nostril to the count of 4. After a full inhalatio, block your left nostril with your ring and little finger and retain your breath to the count of 16.
• Exhale releasing the pressure from your right nostril and releasing the air slowly, deeply and steadily to the count of 8.
• Next, blocking your left nostril inhale deeply from the right nostril to the count of 4. After a full inhalation, retain your breath for 16 counts. Block your right nostril and exhale slowly, deeply and steadily for 8 counts, simultaneously slowly releasing the pressure from the left nostril.
• This completes one round of the pranayama. Try to do 4-8 rounds.

An article by SEEMA SONDHI