The Breathing Technique I'm Obsessed With

We are living in a day and age where work from home and sitting for the majority of the day has become the new normal. Our poor posture and the daily stress is affecting the way we breathe. Try this right now, sit up tall right where you are, take a deep long full breath in through your nose, hold it for 3 counts, exhale out of your mouth.

How do you feel? Much better? I Try this right now, sit up tall right hope so.

It is known that we breathe in and out about 20,000 times a day and since our breath is so automatic, most of us might not be breathing to our fullest capacity. There are numerous breathing techniques that can help restore the rhythm of your breath. One of my favorite breathing techniques is Nadi Shodhana (AKA Alternate Nostril Breathing).

The word “Nadi” translates to "channel" or “flow” and the word "Shodhana” translates to "purification." The literal translation of Nadi Shodhana is purification of channels. Nadi Shodhona has been around for thousands of years and it makes me so happy to know that this practice is gaining popularity in the western culture.

I personally love this breathing technique for the calming and grounding effects it gives me when I feel stressed and overwhelmed. I love knowing that practicing this breathing technique can help harmonize my breath while regulating the flow of energy between the systematic (left brain) and creative (right brain) part of me.

I incorporate this practice before my meditation in the mornings and sometimes mid-day when I need a quick pick me up (it works better than a shot of espresso and this is coming from someone who loves caffeine).

If you are not fully sold if this is for you, maybe the following benefits will convince you?

Reduces stress and anxiety

Fosters clarity of mind

Re-energize body and mind

Restores the harmony of the right and left brain

Harmonizes yin and yang energies

Slows down heart rate

Regulates blood pressure

Improves lung function

Are you ready to practice?

Feel free to check out my Instagram IGTV @gustavoapadron for a guided tutorial or simply read along. I recommend washing your hands before starting as you have to touch your face and we need to make sure you are keeping it cute.

Ready. Set. Get to breathing.

Sit comfortably with a tall spine and your eyes closed. Bring your right palm in front of your face. Place your right thumb on your right nostril.

Invite your peace-making fingers (index and middle finger) between your eyebrows — your third eye. Hover your ring finger and pinky finger above your left nostril.

Close your right nostril with your right thumb. Exhale out of the left nostril. Pause for a second at the bottom of the exhale. Keep the left nostril open and inhale through the left nostril. Pause for a second at the top of the inhale

Close the left nostril and exhale out of the right nostril. Pause for a second at the bottom of the exhale. Keep the right nostril open and inhale through the right nostril. Pause for a second at the top of the inhale.

Close the right nostril and exhale out of the left. Pause for a second at the bottom of the exhale. This is one round: do 5- 1 0 total rounds.

I hope this serves you.

Article by Gustavo

Gustavo is a fitness instructor and personal trainer in Austin, TX.

lifewithgustavo@gmail.com | www.gustavopadron.com