Padadhirasana (breath balancing pose)

• Sit in vajrasana.
• Cross the arms in front of the chest, placing the hands under the opposite armpits with the thumbs pointing upward, or, for a stronger effect, make fists of the hands and place them under the armpits.
• Close the eyes and become aware of the breathing process.

Breathing: Slow, deep and rhythmical. Practice until the flow of the breath in both nostrils becomes equalized.
Duration:  To prepare for pranayama, practise until the flow of the breath equalizes, or for  5  to 10 minutes.
Awareness:  Physical -on the breathing process in the nose. Spiritual - on ajna chakra.
Benefits: The pressure under both the armpits helps to open the nostrils to facilitate the practice of pranayama. Since the breath flow in the right and left nostrils influences the activities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems respectively, opening of the two nostrils induces a state of autonomic balance.
Practice note: Padadhirasana may be used as a preparation for pranayama. It is specially useful when one or both nostrils are blocked.
If only one nostril is blocked, or partially blocked, place the hand of that side underneath the opposite armpit. Maintain the pressure for a minute or two, although changes may sometimes occur within a few seconds.