Hi Friends,
Next Friday, March 18, there will be a full moon in the sign of Virgo. When the Moon is full in the sky, it means that the Sun and Moon stand opposite one another from our perspective. One way to sync up with this cosmic balancing act is to do practices which facilitate a balance between the Solar and Lunar qualities within us. Nadi Shodhana is such a practice.
Nadi Shodhana, unpacked
Nadi Shodhana, commonly called Alternate Nostril Breathing, is one of my favorite pranayama practices, because it’s a method of finding balance in all “weather”, circumstances, inner and outer conditions.
Nadi Shodhana is a good friend (technique we can rely on) when it feels like the soil around our feet is shifting, when we feel keyed up or knocked down, when we are ready to find our way to inner harmony despite our external life situation.
On a deeper level, nadi shodhana balances two main nadis, or energetic channels. In nadi shodhana we’re using the breath as an energetic pipe cleaner to purify the openings of these two nadis which are accessed through the nostrils.
Nadi means a tube or vessel that carries something. In the case of this breathing practice it refers to two of the most important energy channels, the Ida Nadi and the Pingala Nadi. The Ida Nadi carries lunar energy which calms us down, puts us in touch with parts of ourselves that are typically hidden, our Yin-sides. It’s accessed through the left nostril and is associated with the right hemisphere of the brain. The Pingala Nadi carries solar energy which helps us with discernment and taking necessary action. It’s accessed through the right nostril and is associated with the left hemisphere of the brain.
Shodhana means to cleanse or purify. So, while Nadi Shodhana is often called Alternate Nostril Breathing, a more direct translation would be Energetic Channel Purifying Breath.
This week’s recorded practice integrates Nadi Shodhana into both the Vinyasa Flow AND Yin portions of this combo practice. It’s not traditional to do nadi shodhana in the middle of a vinyasa sequence. But, I find it helpful in cultivating deep, one pointed concentration as well as establishing a harmonized, or more sattvic, state in the postures. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear what you notice in your own body/mind as a result.
If you want to do only the Gentle/Yin/Restorative portion of the practice, then fast forward to minute 24 of the recording.
Recorded Practice:
Nadi Shodhana: 46 min Vinyasa Flow & Yin/Gentle (suggested Spotify playlist is in the Vimeo description that you’ll see once you click the link.)
https://vimeo.com/687469650/d56ecfc12e
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These recordings are offered for free. If you enjoy them and know someone else who would like them too, please forward this email :-)
If you’re able and would like to make a $1-$10 love offering/recording, many thanks!
Paypal = shalarain@gmail.com
Venmo = @Shala-Worsley
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I'd love to see you in the studio at Asheville Yoga Center. Here's my in-person schedule:
Mondays in-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
4-5:15 Warm Gentle, Restorative, & Yin
5:30-6:45 Hot Vinyasa Flow & Yin
Wednesdays In-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
12-1:15 Hot Vinyasa Flow & Yin
with love,
Shala
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