What is Pranayama?
Pranayama is an ancient practice of controlling your breath.
Controling the duration, timing, and frequency of every breath and hold.
In Sanskrit, Prana = life energy, Yama = control
What is Anulom Vilom?
Anulom Vilom is a specific type of Pranayama/controlled breathing in yoga practice.
Inhale with one nostril closed, change side by closing the first nostril and exhale from the other nostril.
This process is reversed and repeated.
Anulom Vilom physical and mental health benefits
- Mood lifting
- Helps to focus
- Relieve stress & anxiety
- Maintain heart health, lowers heart rate and blood pressure
- Improves sinus
- Removes blockages present in your nostrils thus minimises snoring
- Improves immune system, keeping the cough and cold at bay
- Removes toxins from your body
- Good for skin
- Helps with muscles aches
Most people can practice Anulom Vilom safely as there is no known side effects,
however do stop should you feel lightheaded or uncomfortable.
Why Anulom Vilom and not other pranayama?
I choose Anulom Vilom and integrate in my practice because it is easy, no need of holding of breath and retention.
You can do it anywhere as long as you can sit in a comfortable sitting position.
Personally, I have some sinus issues and I have seen some improvement after doing 5 mins for about a week. I find myself calmer and less stress and anxious at work.
I also noticed that my skin also look less dull!
How to practice Anulom Vilom?
- Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position, eyes closed, left hand resting on your knee.
- Using your right hand, fold your middle and index fingers toward your palm.
- Close your right nostril with your thumb, inhale slowly and steadily with your left nostrils till your lungs are full.
- Release your thumb, close your left nostrils with your ring finger, exhale slowly with your right nostril.
- Reverse and repeat process, this time inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left.
Try for about a minute for a start and slowly increase to 5-10minutes.
Best done on an empty stomach!
