Chandra Bhedana Pranayama

Chandra means “moon”, “bhid” – root, “bhedana” means to penetrate, to pass through something. In Chandra Bhedana pranayama all inhalation happens only through left nostril. All exhalation – through right. Nerve on left side called Ida Nadi or Chandra Nadi. Nerve on right side of nose called Pingala Nadi or Surya Nadi. Pranic energy in the time of inhalation goes through Ida or Chandra Nadi, in the time of exhalation – through Pingala or Surya Nadi.

Energy in left channel is cold, moon (“chandra” in Sanskrit means “moon”). When this channel active, person get tendency to introspection, thinking, contemplation. Chandra Nadi Pranayama – it is exercise to cleanse left energy channel and activate inside it energy flow.

Technique

1. Sit in comfortable meditative posture: Siddhasana, Virasana or Padmasana.

2. Straight your spine up from tailbone to neck and raise torso up.

3. Bend head to the side of chest and do Jalandhara Bandha.

4. Close eyes and return your awareness inside.

5. Place your right wrist on your right knee (palm upwards) and keep Jnana Mudra.

For breathing control use Nasikagra Mudra. Index and middle fingers between eyebrows (Bhrumadhya point, activator of Ajna-chakra).

1. Left nostril half closed with big finger.

2. Right nostril fully closed with fourth finger (ring finger).

3. Breath in slowly, by fully filling lungs.

4. After inhalation, softly close left nostril. Now both nostrils closed. Wait for one second.

5. Now softly open right nostril and exhale. Exhalation should be slow, stable and full. This is one cycle. Do 8-10 cycles.

Additional moments

When fingers are on the nose, do not move nasal septum to the side. When nostril is half opened, keep finger near to it. Pressure of fingers regulate that passage for air would be narrow, slow and stable. It should not be too wide or too narrow. In the beginning do nostril passage that it would be easy to breathe. With the progress of your practice do it more narrow. Keep closed nostril firmly in order that no air would pass through it.

Benefits

Chandra Bhedana pranayama practice cools organs. It calms down and makes nerves stronger, cleanses sinuses. It makes very stong cleaning process. Prana flow in left channel becomes much stronger. Cervical spine becomes well developed. Stronger activity to Visshudha-chakra and it’s projection – thyroid gland.

Technique: deep inhalation and relaxed head bends forward. On inhalation head returns back. With exhalation head quickly bends forward. Be careful moving head quickly – take comfortable rhythm for yourself and follow it.

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