Nadi Shodhana | 3rd Ritual

Breath of calm

This practice uses the technique of alternate nostril breathing that has been shown in studies to effectively reduce anxiety, combined with an exhale that is twice the length of the inhale. Longer exhales are key for the down-regulation of the parasympathetic nervous system

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Hold for ten seconds. I breathe out. Hold for ten seconds. This is a sequence I repeat whenever I start to feel anxious or tense - emotions I experience much too often for my liking these days.

In the practice of the Ha Breath, the exhalation is longer which helps you bring your nervous system into a parasympathetic state. You will be invited to contract your throat on the exhalation, making the ocean sound “Haaaaaaaa.”