Chandrabhedi Pranayama: Left Nostril Breathing Guide

Chandrabhedana Pranayama is another uncommon breathing technique of yoga where you breathe in through one nostril and out through the other side. Chandra can be translated as the moon, or syllable tha in Hatha, which implies cooling and relaxing energy. Bhedana is piercing, and that is why Chandrabhedana is called the moon-piercing breath. Chandrabhedi Pranayama helps cool the body and calm the mind through left-nostril breathing.

Left nostril breathing is also referred to as chandrabhedana Pranayama in English. The word Chandrabhedana Pranayama consists of two words, where Chandra refers to the moon and the piercing refers to getting inside or breaking. Chandra nadi and Surya nadi represent the cooling and heating energy channels in yogic physiology. Chandrabhedana Pranayama helps in purifying the pulse that is present in the body and is known as JhadaNadi. In addition, in this way, the Chandra pulse is also brought into action. It is because of this fact that this pranayama is referred to as Chandrabhedana Pranayama.

What is Chandrabhedana Pranayama?

Pranayama on a regular basis eliminates numerous diseases. On the same note, Chandrabhedana Pranayama assists in the elimination of the alterations in the body and diseases that are brought about by the changes. The pulse that exists in the body and is referred to as JhadaNadi is cleansed by practising Chandrabhedana Pranayama. In addition, the Chandra pulse is also activated when it is done. Because of this fact, this pranayama is called Chandrabhedana Pranayama. How to activate chandra nadi includes breathing slowly through the left nostril and practising meditation.

Left nostril breathing is also referred to as Chandrabhedana Pranayama in English. The Pranayama of Chandrabhedana is composed of two words, where Chandra refers to the moon and the piercing refers to entering or breaking. Chandrabhedi Pranayama benefits include better sleep, emotional balance, and cooling of the nervous system.

Chandrabhedana: Why and When to Use it

Classical literature explains that Chandrabhedana is a technique of cleansing the Ida Nadi. They also say that it activates the Kundalini, harmonises emotional energy and gets rid of karmic impressions (samskaras).

Chandrabhedana pranayama is practised to reduce stress, anger, and excess body heat. However, in addition to these spiritual advantages, Chandrabhedana has numerous practical advantages as well. It particularly comes in handy when you need to: 

• Enter into a parasympathetic (rest-and-relaxation) state.
• Cool the body during hot weather or after an exhaustive workout.
• Lessen acidity or pitta imbalance (undue heat in the body).
• Get over burnout or overstimulation.
• Smooth anxiety, irritability or emotional turbulence.
• Access healing, restorative energy.
• Get ready to meditate or get better sleep.

Essentially, Chandrabhedana enables us to relate with our lunar or feminine energy, which is related to such attributes as introspection, empathy, compassion, healing, and intuition. Chandra Nadi, meaning refers to the moon channel associated with relaxation and mental peace. It is a healing activity to relax, introspect and go inward- beyond the clatter and clamour of everyday life.

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How to Practice Chandrabhedi Pranayama?

We possess two breathing nostrils. In yoga, it is referred to as Nadi. But do you know which nostril is chandra nadi?

The right nostril is referred to as Surya Nadi, and the left one is referred to as Chandra Nadi. Chandrabhedana Pranayama is, therefore, a Left Nostril Breathing. Chandrabhedana Pranayama is a very easy method of breathing. Be aware of the way of doing Chandrabhedana Pranayama and its advantages.

• Sit in any comfortable place of your choice.
• Sit in Sukhasana, maintain the spine, waist, and neck straight.
• You are ready, put the left hand on your left knee. On the right side, also, with the thumb of the right hand, cover the right nose.
• Then deep breathing, long breaths on the left nose, and then close the left nose with the fingers of the hand.
• Keep your breath in as long as you can.
• Then breathe out slowly through the right nostril and breathe out.
• Repeat this entire procedure for 5- 10 minutes.

Mistakes in Common and How to Avoid Them

1. Chandrabhedi Pranayama should pay attention to avoid extreme errors. As an example, the benefits of the pranayama may be limited by sitting in a bent or uncomfortable position that limits the circulation of air. A straight back and relaxed means that there is optimum circulation of energy in the body.
2. Individuals who have low blood pressure need to exercise with care since this can further reduce blood pressure. How to activate Surya Nadi involves right-nostril breathing and energizing yoga practices.
3. Individuals with respiratory diseases or congestion should not go through with the practice until the congestion is resolved. Chandrabhedi Pranayama is not to be practised by pregnant women. 
4. Moderation is advised because too much time without the right advice may interfere with the normal functioning of the body. Surya nadi and chandra nadi work together to maintain physical, mental, and energetic balance.

Tips to implement Chandrabhedana successfully

The following are some of the tips that might help you maximize your practice of Chandrabhedana:

• Time: You can practice anytime; however, particularly after morning asana practice or just before bed to relax into sleep.
• Location: Train somewhere quiet, comfortable and well-ventilated.
• Posture: This pranayama should be done sitting in a posture. Sukhasana is good in all, but advanced yoga practitioners are supposed to practice it in Padmasana (Lotus Pose).
• Duration: Start with 10 to 15 rounds per session. After some time, one can gradually increase to 10 to 15 minutes, but one should add the rounds and time gradually.
• Mudras: Vishnu or Nasagra Mudra is a right-hand technique used to gesture at the nostrils. Your left hand may be resting on the thigh, or on the elbow of the right, or in Chin Mudra.
• Gaze: Classical literature does not state a point of focus for Chandrabhedana. It is merely a matter of closing your eyes or half-closing them with a softened gaze.
• Awareness: Focus on your breathing pattern (breath observation).
• Illustrations: Relaxing images can enhance the advantages of Chandrabhedana. These are some of the thoughts: a rising moon, green flame in the centre of the heart, or the ripples on a pond.

Benefits of Chandrabhedana Pranayama

The following are some of the established advantages of Chandrabhedana practice: 

• Improves lung capacity: Chandrabhedana breathing is slower and more controlled, which is also known to increase lung health in the long term, as well as the breathing capacity of the practitioner.
• Produces parasympathetic dominance: The studies on left nostril breathing indicate that it changes the state of the autonomic nervous system to a rest and recovery mode by lowering sympathetic activity. This renders Chandrabhedana very useful in the down-regulation of the nervous system.
• Reduces heart rate and blood pressure: It has also been found that a couple of minutes of Chandrabhedana (left nostril dominance) decreases the heart rate and blood pressure.
• Enhances spatial memory: A 10-day experiment observed that individuals who trained in right, left and alternate nostril breathing had better spatial memory scores than those who did not, suggesting a potential association between single-nostril breathing methods and spatial memory.
• Enhances prana-flow: It is said in classical literature that two months of regular practice of Chandrabhedana unblocks the Ida Nadi, which controls the mind, emotions, and all psycho-physiological processes that manifest themselves based on the feminine energy principle.
• Less stress and anxiety: In one study, only 15 minutes of Chandrabhedana could be used to calm down students who were highly stressed.
• Therapeutic Uses: Ayurveda recommends left nostril breathing in certain cases to decrease excess internal heat, treat heartburn, and control fevers.
• Kundalini awakening: There are various awakening practices applied in various yoga traditions that are known as Chandrabhedana (among many).

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Conclusion

Chandrabhedi Pranayama is one of the best yoga breathing exercises. It can calm and cool the body and mind, with numerous benefits in both physical and psychological health. The practice aids in the energy flow in the body, being balanced through its focus on alternate nostril breathing. Thus, it facilitates harmony and equilibrium within the body. Chandrabhedi Pranayama has physiological effects on multiple body functions. It reduces the heartbeat rate and blood pressure. It adjusts respiratory patterns, which increases oxygenation and efficient carbon dioxide removal, which leads to respiratory efficiency.

Chandrabhedi Pranayama contributes to the overall holistic health improvement as it ensures the improvement of sleep quality and helps to cope with chronic diseases such as hypertension and insomnia. Its advantages go beyond the physical world to spiritual development, which helps to connect with the inner self more and allows being mindful.