Our teacher had us do this last week in the morning. Breathe in. Hold that nostril. Breathe out through the opposite nostril. Then reverse and keep going.
It felt very cleansing but is there more to it?
Curious.
Help balance the ida & pingala nadis, there are approx. 72,000 nadis distributing prana throughout the human condition these two major channels. Is there more to it, absolutely, however is it necessary to know how everything works, I eat food it turns into this body which support the mind from which consciousness arises, it’s nothing short of a miracle. Through thousands of year’s human trial and error the yogic sciences has cultivating comprehensive methodologies and skillful techniques for self-validation, if it works, it works, simply explore the rest of the science.
[QUOTE=ray_killeen;82102]Help balance the ida & pingala nadis, there are approx. 72,000 nadis distributing prana throughout the human condition these two major channels. Is there more to it, absolutely, however is it necessary to know how everything works, I eat food it turns into this body which support the mind from which consciousness arises, it?s nothing short of a miracle. Through thousands of year?s human trial and error the yogic sciences has cultivating comprehensive methodologies and skillful techniques for self-validation, if it works, it works, simply explore the rest of the science.[/QUOTE]
Thanks
Hey foo,
I might just add to Ray’s post, that you are exercising the balance of an [B]alternating cycle[/B] between opposite halves of the body: ida and pingala. After doing so, your body will tend to continue operating in a balanced way for several hours, depending on the intensity. It however changes again as the day goes on, or during sleep, so it’s important to restore balance to that cycle regularly: daily if possible.
peace,
siva
[QUOTE=siva;82127]Hey foo,
I might just add to Ray’s post, that you are exercising the balance of an [B]alternating cycle[/B] between opposite halves of the body: ida and pingala. After doing so, your body will tend to continue operating in a balanced way for several hours, depending on the intensity. It however changes again as the day goes on, or during sleep, so it’s important to restore balance to that cycle regularly: daily if possible.
peace,
siva[/QUOTE]
Understood. Thankyou.
In my 7 to 8 months of yoga practice I never gave much thought to nostril breathing. I also meditate several times a week which isn’t much. Should I be concerned about ida and pingala. I’m somewhat a believer that certain things are better left alone especially if your not knowledgeable in that area. If left alone are there any painful consequences that one should be concerned about? I should look into this more can anyone recommend a good place to start? Thanks
Hey girl,
It’s called pranayama, and no you don’t have to worry about ida/pingula, but you should have instruction for anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) and other pranayams. You’re in for a treat.
peace,
siva
[QUOTE=siva;82231]Hey girl,
It’s called pranayama, and no you don’t have to worry about ida/pingula, but you should have instruction for anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) and other pranayams. You’re in for a treat.
peace,
siva[/QUOTE]
A treat indeed. Never heard of these things. I definitely since that there is no end to learning yoga. The asanas are just a drop in the bucket.
One of the most famous and widely practiced forms of pranayama is Nadi Shodhana or more simply alternate nostril breathing. Nadis are channels that run throughout our bodies. They are connected to the chakras and therefore are seen as psychic pathways with the human system. Shodhana means purification so this particular pranayama technique is used to purify the channels of the body, mind and spirit.
Cheers
And a strictly “I don’t know the science behind it” point of view, it really calms me down immediately. Unsure as to why, but when I do the nostril breathing exercises, my body instantly relaxes and I feel like I breathe better afterwards.
Your mileage may vary of course. 
Cher,
Conditioning of autonomic nervous system, in particular, restoring balance to sypathetic/parasympathetic functions.
siva