Clear Your Head with Breathing

We all know that breathing is essential for life, but few are aware of how breathing can be used to improve life. Many people have done "deep breathing" also known as diaphragmatic breathing. It is commonly used to calm oneself down in stressful situations. A lesser known breath technique that can be equally useful is called Yin/Yang breathing or alternate nostril breathing. This technique has been shown to increase relaxation by calming the nervous system. It is also used as preparation for meditation and can also improve clarity of thought by balancing the right and left brain hemispheres.

How to perform:

1. Sit in a comfortable, relaxed upright position.
2. Bend your middle fingers into the palm of your dominant hand
3. If using your right hand, close the right nostril with your thumb and exhale
through your left nostril
4. Inhale through your left nostril while keeping the right nostril closed
5. Close your left nostril with your pinky finger and open your right nostril
6. Exhale through the right nostril

This is one cycle. Repeat doing a comfortable number of repetitions. Stop if you feel any strain or light-headed. Do not do if you have a cold or congestion. Check with your doctor if you have had any past breathing difficulties or respiratory conditions or if you are pregnant.

Practice makes perfect. Give yourself time to master the technique. Take a minute today to focus on your breath- its a simple way to clear your head and make your whole being feel better.