Swami Kuvalyanand once said: “Yoga has a message for the human body, for the human mind and the human spirit.”

This is a truism as a healthy body is the prime requisite for success and happiness in life. People are increasingly being convinced that yoga makes for good health, contentment and happiness in present day stressful life and is not just an exercise regimen.

In this article we will discuss Anuloma-Viloma (alternate breathing) pranayama. Pranayama is a sanskrit word meaning management of the vital force ie the prana your life force. Although the basic principle remains the same, many different types of pranayama have been devised, each with its own unique technique. One of the basic forms considered is Anuloma-Viloma or also known as nerve purifying prana.

The practice of Anuloma Viloma is somewhat like the squad that regulates traffic on roads, looks after their cleanliness, beautification, etc and keeps the traffic moving smoothly and efficiently. The method involves breathing in (pooraka) through one nostril and vice versa. Therefore this pranayama has the name anuloma viloma, i.e. alternate breathing.

To practice this, you have to sit in any of the yogic sitting postures. Beginning you need to carry some normal breathing with moola bandha.e. comfortable anal contraction). Keeping a stable moola bandha, breathe in and breathe out completely. Please make sure the moola bandha is not loose during this process. One needs to hold for a while between breathing in and out. Breathe in deeply through the left nostril and breathe out through the right; then breathe in through the right and out through the left. Continue breathing this way, i.e. take one to three minutes from left and right nostrils.

After reaching a comfort level in this way, you may move to the next stage. You need to close your right nostril using your thumb. Make sure your right nostril is closed and slowly breathe in through the left nostril in a uniform speed. Do now this closing your left nostril and breathing through the right one. Expand your chest and raise the shoulders while breathing in. The lower abdominal region, however, must be held in.

Benefits: The respiratory passage is cleaned and this prepares one well for the practice of other pranayamas. Breathing becomes easy and regulated. The mind gets into a rhythmic heartbeat. Also aids in enhancing concentration, memory and other mental faculties.

Contraindications: Severe pain in abdomen, swelling on account of appendicitis, enlargement of liver, very delicate bowels or intestines, disorders of the lungs, severe throat infections, growth in the nose (polypus) or blockage of the nasal passage due to cold, etc.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions before following any of the asanas from this article and the site. To avoid any problems while doing the asanas, it is advised that you consult a doctor and a yoga instructor. The responsibility lies solely with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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