Chandrabhedi Pranayama | Left Nostril Breathing | चंद्रभेदी प्राणायाम
Regular Pranayama practice cures a variety of illnesses. Similar to how Chandrabhedi (Chandrabhedhana) Pranayama aids in curing ailments brought on by physical alterations to the body. Your body’s pulse, referred to as Jhada Nadi, gets cleansed through Chandrabhedi Pranayama.
It is a cooling breathing exercise also known as left-nostril breathing as the air is inhaled from the left and exhaled through the right. Chandra refers to the moon and bhedi refers to piercing or penetrating, which helps make up the name of the pranayama.
Chandrabhedi pranayama’s advantages stem from the way it stimulates the brain’s right hemisphere the body’s left side. The parasympathetic neural system is activated when the right part of the brain gets stimulated, which has a soothing and relaxing effect on the body.
Instructions
One can practice Chandrabhedi pranayama on a carpeted floor, yoga mat, or even sitting on a chair. But maintaining close physical touch with the ground will make the effect of breathing stronger.
- Begin by adopting any sitting meditation position, while closing your eyes gently and keeping the back straight, concentrate on your nostril’s tip as you observe your breath enter and exit.
- Next, create the Vishnu Mudra using your right hand while resting your left hand on the left knee.
- While bending your right hand, bring it closer to the right nostril and close it with your thumb, so as to inhale from the left one.
- To begin the first round, inhale deeply through your left nostril to fill your chest fully. As you do this, you feel a cooling sensation throughout your nose and brain.
- For exhalation, use the right ring finger so as to cover your left nostril and exhale through the right one. Warm air comes out of this nostril.
- Now you have completed a round of Chandrabhedi pranayama
- Switch the nostrils for the next round and continue the process.
- Practice this for at least 5 minutes a day during the summer season
- After you have finished with the pranayama, slowly release your right hand’s mudra, stay seated in the same position for a while and slowly stand up
Benefits
- Chandrabhedi pranayama helps activate the parasympathetic neural system reducing heart rate and dilating the blood vessels and lowering BP.
- Since there is a shift of breath that occurs from the chest to the diaphragm, it helps to overcome heartburn.
- Helps lower body temperature during fevers.
- Increases the amount of oxygen that runs in the body, balancing cortisol levels and maintaining the responses of the immunity system and metabolism.
- Reduces anxiety, irritation, insomnia, and stress levels.
- Helps amplify the blood circulation in the heart
- Stimulates Ida Nadi which is the main reason for providing coolness in the body.
- Helps increase focus and mindfulness
- Helps bring the physical self and mind in sync with one another.
Contraindications
It’s not advised to exercise Chandrabhedi Pranayama if you have asthma, low BP, a runny nose, or other breathing problems. Additionally, exercising a lot in the cold season should not be preferred. Do not consume meals prior to the pranayama. Do not perform Chandrabhedi right after or before Suryabhedi pranayama as it may cancel out the effects caused by each other.
Summary
Chandrabhedi pranayama has a cooling effect on the body and brings down the body’s temperature as a result of stimulation of the Ida Nadi. It is useful in the treatment of heartburn, stress, and anxiety. The practitioners’ consciousness is increased as a result of the coordinated influence of the hemispheres of the brain, which further propels them down a spiritual journey. As a result, practitioners should routinely work on perfecting their Chandrabhedi pranayama in all aspects.