Nadi Shodhana
the deep purifier
Written by Desmond Olubunmi · Founder of Sunya
The most powerful of the breaths for cleansing the energy pathways — and, by working both sides in turn, a balancer of the whole system.
Closing one nostril concentrates the breath. With both nostrils open, the breath divides between them; close one, and the entire force of the breath flows through the other — much as water pushed through a single pipe instead of two flows with far greater pressure, clearing the channel faster. So slow, conscious breathing through one nostril is far more potent than ordinary breathing, even deep breathing.
Alternating between the two sides brings that concentrated, intensified breath to each half of the system in turn. Because of this potency, it settles the nervous system more quickly and deeply than ordinary breathing — and above all, it is one of the most effective of all practices for clearing the energy pathways, which is what the name Nadi Shodhana means: the cleansing of the channels. As the pathways clear, the life force flows more freely through the whole system.
With your right thumb, close the right nostril. Inhale slowly through the left.
Close the left nostril (releasing the right). Exhale through the right.
Inhale through the right.
Close the right, and exhale through the left. — That is one round.
Continue for 5–10 minutes, breathing slowly and evenly.
Occasional writing on the levers, the practices, and how to actually work with them.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Not sure this is the right practice for you? Sunya AI will identify where your system is contracted and which practice matters most right now.