Pranayama or science of breathing: Prana means “breath, energy, life.” Yama means “master”. Â-yama means “stretching, stretching”. This daily ritual, practiced on an empty stomach in the morning or in the evening before dinner, purifies the energy channels and brings relaxation. In India, it takes place 48 minutes before sunrise and sunset.

Vishva pranayama, total breathing
Sitting comfortably in a quiet and nice area, eyes closed, back straight, without any tension.
+ Inhale through both nostrils starting from your belly fill with air and then continuing to allow air into the lungs. Hold your breath a few minutes and then exhale through both nostrils all the air in the lungs and then to the belly where the abdomen lowers and goes inside for air to be completely expired. Practice this several respiration times daily at a rate of 3, 5 or 10 cycles.
Benefits: purifies the subtle channels, oxygen, brain, facilitates concentration and increases memory power.

Nadi Shodhana, alternate breathing
+ Plug gently the right nostril with the right thumb. Exhale slowly through the left nostril.
+ Inhale through the left nostril without forcing (breath says cold).
+ Once your lungs are filled, close the left nostril with the ring finger of the right hand and hold the air a few seconds.
+ Exhale through the right nostril and inspired by this same nostril (breath said hot).
+ Once your lungs are filled, cover the right nostril with the right thumb and hold the air a few seconds.
+ Exhale through the left nostril and inspire by this same nostril.
Continue this breathing for several minutes (between 5 min and 10 min).

Each cycle should begin with an expiration and end with an inspiration. On the exhale, the belly drops. On the inhale, the belly swells.

BENEFITS: purifies the blood, stimulates circulation, digestion and elimination; corrects pulmonary disorders (asthma, allergies …) soothes the heart and nervous system; increases vitality; improves concentration …

Upon expiration, leave out of your body everything unwanted  (stress, water retention, fatigue, overweight, angry …).

“Life is the period of time between one breath and the next.”

Try the Nadi Shodhana before your daily meditation and then observe your meditative state.

« Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself » – Hermann Hesse