By: RoseAnn Rajni Sbona
Hey, it’s January! That time of year when we all, at least for a nanosecond, become inspired to improve our lives, but then it starts, the lists, the rules, the excitement to start fresh, a sense of overwhelm OR if channeled positively, an opportunity for inspiration. When you take the time to reflect and pay attention you can realize the life you are living and see ways to make it even better.
All that we experience in life is facilitated by something often taken for granted, our breath. When we find ourselves panicking or anxious our breath can be shallow or rapid. When we need to relax we unconsciously take a deep breath. When exerting we regulate our breath in order to complete the task effectively. The breath is part of the one system in our body, our respiratory, that is involuntary and voluntary. The science of manipulating the breath for health is a Sanskrit word known as Pranayama, loosely translated it means the lengthening of energy (life). This science has been taught as a supplement to physical wellness practices for thousands of years. Almost all illness in the body and mind can improve by management of the breath. One of the most important and beneficial breath practices is known as the Alternate Nostril Breath.
Breathe Into Your Best Year Yet
The Alternate Nostril Breath helps to purify and regulate breathing. It balances the nervous system and tones our energy in a way that inspires us when we are fatigued and can relax us when we are feeling stressed or anxious. It strengthens the lungs whose health is directly related to all systems of the body and is a simple practice that can be done by everyone, anywhere. Try it for yourself.
Alternate Nostril Breath
- Sit in a comfortable position, relax your body, rest your eyes closed and your left hand on your lap
- Take a few deep breaths
- Use your right thumb, close your right nostril and exhale out of your left
- Inhale slowly through the left while keeping the right nostril closed
- Then close your left nostril and exhale slowly out of your right nostril
- Once the exhale is complete, begin to inhale back through the right nostril while the left nostril remains closed
- Seal the right nostril once the inhale is complete and then exhale out of the left nostril slowly
- This is one “round”
- Repeat the process quietly.
You can start by setting a timer and practicing 3 minutes a day, am or pm and then increase up to as much as 20 minutes per session. This year when integrating some new resolutions, inspire all that you do with a little conscious inspiration. With a regular practice you will notice the quality of all you do improve. Cheers to 2017, take a deep breath and dive in!