Nadi Shodhana: Ayurvedic Breathing for Calm, Clarity & Energy

The Power of Breath in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda and many ancient healing traditions, breath—known as Prana in Sanskrit—is the vital life force that fuels our body, mind, and spirit. Just five minutes of intentional breathing can shift your mood, boost your energy, and clear your mental focus almost instantly.

Today, discover Nadi Shodhana, or Alternate Nostril Breathing, one of Ayurveda’s most effective pranayama techniques to calm the mind, balance your energy, and restore emotional equilibrium.

(Watch the video where I explain Ayurveda and anxiety and demonstrate Nadi Shodhana — video is in French with subtitles.)

What Is Nadi Shodhana?

• Nadi means “channel” or “flow”

• Shodhana means “purification”

Together, Nadi Shodhana means “purification of the energy channels.” This breathing practice:

• Clears and balances the subtle energy pathways in your body

• Harmonizes the left and right hemispheres of the brain

• Balances yin and yang energies (feminine and masculine)

It benefits all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—and is suitable for most people.*

If you have heart conditions, high blood pressure, or other medical concerns, consult your doctor before starting this or any new breathing practice.

Benefits of Nadi Shodhana

• Increases oxygen flow to the body

• Reduces stress, anxiety, and nervous tension

• Calms and rejuvenates the nervous system

• Supports natural hormonal balance

• Clears and strengthens respiratory pathways

• Relieves seasonal allergies and respiratory discomfort

• Enhances mental clarity, focus, and concentration

• Harmonizes brain hemispheres for balanced thinking

How to Practice Nadi Shodhana

Best time: Early morning on an empty stomach to maximize energy flow.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Find a comfortable seat: Sit cross-legged on the floor or on a chair with feet flat, spine straight, shoulders relaxed.

2. Begin with full yogic breaths: Take deep inhales and slow exhales for a few rounds to awaken your energy.

3. Form Vishnu Mudra: Fold your index and middle fingers toward the base of your right thumb. Use:

   • Right thumb to close the right nostril

   • Ring and pinky fingers to close the left nostril

4. Cycle your breath:

   • Close right nostril; exhale fully through left

   • Inhale deeply through left nostril

   • Close left nostril; open right nostril and exhale fully

   • Inhale through right nostril

   • Close right nostril; open left nostril and exhale fully

   • This completes one round

5. Repeat for 5–10 minutes, keeping breath smooth, gentle, and steady.

Tips for Success

• Focus your awareness on the breath flowing up one side of the body to the crown of your head, then down the other.

• When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breathing.

• Start with 5 minutes daily and increase gradually to 10–15 minutes for deeper benefits.

Why I Love Nadi Shodhana

This practice is uniquely calming and energizing — perfect for moments of anxiety, mental fog, or scattered thoughts. It’s an easy, powerful ritual to weave into daily life. Over time, you’ll experience improved focus, steadier emotions, and a harmonious sense of balance.

✨ Pro Tip: Pair your breathing practice with a calming self-care ritual using our Liquid Sun Body Oil to ground your energy and nourish your skin.