Moon Piercing Breath (Chandra Bhedana)
A calming, unilateral breathing practice that isolates the left nostril for inhalation to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It is traditionally used to cool the body, quiet the mind, and prepare for deep rest.
- 1Sit in a comfortable, upright position and relax your shoulders.
- 2Bring your right hand to your face, folding the index and middle fingers toward your palm (Vishnu Mudra).
- 3Use your right thumb to gently close your right nostril.
- 4Inhale slowly and deeply through your open left nostril.
- 5Close the left nostril with your ring finger, release the thumb, and exhale completely through the right nostril.
- 6Repeat this cycle—always inhaling left and exhaling right—for 3 to 5 minutes.
Inhaling exclusively through the left nostril stimulates the contralateral (right) hemisphere of the brain and is clinically correlated with increased parasympathetic tone. This unilateral airflow alters autonomic cardiovascular rhythms, lowering heart rate and systolic blood pressure while promoting vagal dominance, which facilitates a state of physiological rest and thermal cooling.
Treats Symptoms
Target Metrics
Avoid during acute asthma flare-ups, severe depression (as it may induce lethargy), clinical hypotension, or if experiencing severe nasal congestion.
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