I am breath...

My grandfather is 97 years old and while growing up he would always remind us, "Your breath is your life!" Before we left for school, at the dinner table enjoying one of his famous fish dinners or on Sundays when we'd walk through Golden Gate Park he was always reminding us to breathe. He's right - I thank him so much for his wisdom and advice... Now, if I could give any advice, it would be to practice Alternate Nostril Breathing (in Sankskrit Anuloma Viloma Pranayama) and practice this awesome breathing exercise everyday. Breathing exercises are important to your vital energy and these rounds of breath will make you feel energized, centered and happy! Be good to yourself...Invest 5-10 minutes of your time each day for this breath work.

Alternate Nostril Breathing can be done anywhere. Although a quiet, comfortable and clean environment is optimal. I've been know to take 5 minutes and partake while sitting in traffic. I'm not a fan of traffic jams so a quick breathing exercise soothes me.

One of your nostrils is inevitably slightly blocked. Which means that your lung and nostril on that side are working more which is called imbalance! The goal is to allow the right lung/right nostril and left lung/left nostril to alternate in your breath intake which doesn't necessarily happen between each breath but should alternate each hour at least. If you breathe out of one nostril and one lung all day, there is definitely an imbalance in the system which could be the reason for fatigue and stresses in the body. The idea is to get your breath flowing through both nostrils and lungs and to establish equilibrium. Through alternate nostril breathing you will bring balance to your breath. You will clear your nasal passages, your lungs and your mind.

MY SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS for Alternate Nostril Breathing
Think 4:8:8
4 counts inhalation
8 counts retention
8 counts exhalation

Sit comfortably
Spine straight - sit on a pillow with legs crossed or on a chair with a comfy back.
All body parts relaxed

Keeping it simple with hand mudras...
Use your thumb and middle finger for the nostril holds.

I'm right handed so here's how it goes...
Hold your right nostril closed with your thumb then inhale through your left nostril for 4 counts.
(I like to count by saying to myself: OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4)
When you reach 4 counts keep right nostril plugged with thumb.
Plug your left nostril with middle finger.
Retain breath with both nostrils plugged for 8 counts.
Now...keep the left nostril plugged, let the thumb go and right nostril open and exhale for 8 through right nostril
Now inhale through the right nostril for 4...
Plug both nostrils for 8 counts, then let the left nostril open and exhale for 8.
Now inhale through the left nostril for 4 and so on and so on and then continue this alternate nostril breathing....

So basically you inhale through one nostril, retain (plug) both nostrils, then exhale through the opposite nostril...and keep the pattern going for at least 8 rounds...and you've completed...alternate nostril breathing! If a nostril is open, you have just exhaled through it and then you inhale through it!

I like to do 11 rounds - which means I count one every time I've inhaled through the left nostril.
When I've inhaled 11 times through the left nostril .... I'm done.

I focus on 'watching' my breath move in and out of my body or sometimes I place focus on my third eye (Ajna Chakra) and watch my breath move in and out like a beautiful ray of light - energy!

This is the basics. A good start. Seek out more...
Have fun with your breath work. I'm open for questions too.

My grandfather recently fell while making his way to the kitchen in the same house he's lived in for almost 50 years. I was not there but heard that everyone around him panicked - not him. He was calm and although I was not present at that unfortunate moment I could see my grandfather's face and how peaceful he carries himself and knew that he reminded himself immediately at that moment that his breath is his life. Well, the doctor said when they took him to the hospital...you're like a man of 50!

Peace and Happy Holidays!

Lisa Doce Vida Fitness Inc.