Chandra Bhedana
Chandra Bhedana is a calming and cooling pranayama suited for times of stress, distraction and overwhelm.
To Practice the Chandra Bhedana Pranayama
Begin in a tall seat, and quiet your eyes by softening your gaze downward or closing your eyes.
Place your L palm face down on your L knee.
Look at your R palm and bend your index and middle fingers down.
Your ring finger will close your L nostril and your thumb will close your R nostril.
Take your thumb to your R nostril and exhale everything out of your L nostril to start.
Then inhale through your L nostril with a steady and smooth breath.
At the top of your inhale, close both nostrils, then exhale through the R and slow down your exhalation, making it a little longer than your inhalation.
Repeat inhaling through your L nostril and exhaling through your R nostril.
Do this for a few minutes at the beginning of your practice or take a few rounds any time you feel anxious, mentally distracted, or when you feel overheated.