TOP 10 Breathing Exercises and Their Benefits

[welcomewiki]

Click here for TOP 10

Site of the DAY

Do what? Breathe through alternate nostrils
It's called anuloma viloma
Why do it
A natural nasal cycle requires you to breathe equally from both nostrils, one after another. In most of us, this natural rhythm is disturbed.

What it does
Prevents ailments like asthma
Ancient yogis believe that breathing through the left nostril only for a couple of years can cause asthma. They treated it by teaching the patient to breathe through the right nostril until cured. One can prevent it from recurring by practising alternate nostril breathing.

Improves brain function
Research has shown that electrical activity in the brain was found to be greater on the side opposite the less congested nostril. The right side controls creative activity, while the left controls logical activity. When the left nostril was less obstructed, the right side of the brain was predominant. And vice versa. Clearing both nasal passages ensures optimum creative and logical use of the brain.


How to

• Inhale through the left nostril, closing the right with the thumb, to the count of four. Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of 16.
• Exhale through the right nostril, closing the left with the ring and little fingers, to the count of eight. Inhale through the right nostril, keeping the left nostril closed with the ring and little fingers, to the count of four. Hold the breath, closing both nostrils, to the count of 16. Exhale through the left nostril, keeping the right closed with the thumb, to the count of eight. Do this slowly and rhythmically.

Image courtesy: © Thinkstockphotos/ Getty images

Images used for representative purpose only.