February 14, 2025 #Breathwork
While there are a few cooling breathwork practices, a simple and effective pranayama to cool and calm the body and mind is lunar pranayama, also known as chandra bhedana (chandra means “moon,” bhedana means “passing through”). This breathing pattern activates your lunar energy represented by ida nadi (channel of vital energy, or prana) and brings in the cooling aspects associated with moon energy.
You may be familiar with alternate nostril breathing. Lunar pranayama is similar to that, with a slight difference in that the inhalation exclusively happens from the left nostril (bringing in the cooling energy), and the exhalation exclusively happens from the right nostril. Follow these steps for lunar pranayama.
Sit comfortably with a straight spine. Place your left hand on your knees, palm facing up with the tips of your thumb and index finger touching.
🔹 Bring your right hand into vishnu mudra - fold your middle two fingers into the palm of your hand.
🔹 Use your right thumb to close off your right nostril.
🔹 Inhale slowly and mindfully through your left nostril.
🔹 Now close your left nostril with your ring finger while simultaneously releasing your thumb from the right nostril.
🔹 Exhale completely and with mindfulness through your right nostril.
🔹 Use your thumb to close off your right nostril.
🔹 Inhale through your left nostril.
🔹 Close your left nostril with your ring finger, releasing your thumb from your right nostril and exhaling completely through your right nostril.
Continue to breathe like this for 1–2 minutes, inhaling only through your left nostril and exhaling only through your right nostril.
Sit quietly for a few moments after you have finished, bringing your right hand to your right knee, palm facing up, while gently bringing the tips of your thumb and index finger together to touch.
TIP: Lunar pranayama is ideally practiced on an empty stomach. Ensure that your inhalation and exhalation are of the same duration (for example, if you inhale for a count of four, then exhale for a count of four)
