I cannot say how much that headline alone sounds so positive and magical. I mean, what could be more perfect for the NEW YEAR!? So, read the following and I hope everyone tries it out. It's free, easy to do and pretty much proven to work. How to do it is at the end of this post - in six EASY steps. I usually do this at nite, in bed to relax and clear my head of all the millions of thoughts consuming my mind. "Thousands of years ago, great Hindu yogis and Chinese sages developed powerful systems of breath control which they used for mastering fear, healing illness and attaining the state of enlightenment. These ancient systems of breath control possess such remarkable powers, because they access the spiritual life-force that gives our breath its life-sustaining powers. The Hindus call this life-force 'Prana' - the Chinese call it 'Chi' - Hebrews called it 'The Breath of Life' - Christians call it 'The Holy Spirit'. (Andy Caponigro)
Alternate Nostril Breathing Exercise (Anuloma Viloma )
This is EASY to do and VERY beneficial! A healthy person will breathe mostly through the LEFT nostril for about 2 hrs, then through the RIGHT nostril. But in many people, this natural rhythm is disturbed. Anuloma Viloma restores, equalizes and balances the flow of Prana (breath) in the body and produces optimum function to both sides of the brain. This will lead to a balance between your creative and logical thinking. The Yogi’s consider this to be the best technique to calm the mind and the Nervous System.
The Scientific Confirmation
Medical science has recently discovered the nasal cycle, something that was already discovered by the Yogis thousands of years ago. Modern scientists found out that we do not breathe equally on both nostrils, that is one nostril is much easier to breathe through than the other at any particular time. Each nostril alternates about every 2-3 hours. Scientists also discovered that the nasal cycle corresponds with brain function. The electrical activity of the brain was found to be greater on the side opposite the less congested nostril. The right side of the brain controls creative activity, while the left side controls logical verbal activity. The research showed that when the left nostril was less obstructed, the right side of the brain was predominant. Similarly when the right nostril was less obstructed the left side of the brain was predominant.
The Ancient Yogis went one step further. They observed that a lot of diseases were due to disturbances of the nasal cycle or if a person breathes for too long through one nostril. To prevent and correct this condition, they developed the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. This clears any blockage the airflow in the nostrils and reestablishes the natural nasal cycle. For example, the Yogi’s have known for a long time that prolonged breathing through the left nostril only (over a period of years) will cause Asthma. They also know that this so-called incurable disease can be easily treated by teaching the patient to breathe through the right nostril until the Asthma is cured and prevent it from recurring by doing the Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique. The Yogis also believe that Diabetes is caused, to a large extent, by breathing mainly through the right nostril.
Bascially you are: Inhaling through one nostril, holding the breath, and exhaling through the other nostril.
One Round of Anuloma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
1 Inhale through the left nostril, closing the right with the thumb, to the count of four.
2 Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of sixteen.
3 Exhale through the right nostril, closing the left with the ring finger, to the count of eight.
4 Inhale through the right nostril, keeping the left nostril closed with the ring finger, to the count of four.
5 Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of sixteen.
6 Exhale through the left nostril, keeping the right closed with the thumb, to the count of eight.
Bascially you are: Inhaling through one nostril, holding the breath, and exhaling through the other nostril.
One Round of Anuloma Viloma (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
1 Inhale through the left nostril, closing the right with the thumb, to the count of four.
2 Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of sixteen.
3 Exhale through the right nostril, closing the left with the ring finger, to the count of eight.
4 Inhale through the right nostril, keeping the left nostril closed with the ring finger, to the count of four.
5 Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of sixteen.
6 Exhale through the left nostril, keeping the right closed with the thumb, to the count of eight.
