Alternate Nostril Breathing

This breathing technique has some wonderful benefits, including soothing the nervous system, cleansing the lungs, calming the mind, and enhancing rest and relaxation.

Staying seated, curl the index and middle fingers of your right hand, so that they touch the insides of your palm.

For this exercise, you’ll use your ring finger and your thumb, which provide a perfect space for your nose to rest between.

Press your ring finger over your left nostril and inhale for four counts through your right nostril.

Close off your right nostril with your thumb so both nostrils are closed.

Hold the air in for four counts.

Release your ring finger and exhale the air out through your left nostril for four counts.

Reverse this pattern starting with inhaling through the left nostril, holding both closed, and exhaling out the right side.

Repeat this breathing pattern for three to five minutes.