You can calm your mind with the breathing technique known as Nadi Shodhana. In English this means, “clearing the channels.” Nadi Shodhana is very beneficial when you are having a lot of anxious thoughts, and when you are trying to quiet your mind. It requires the use of your right hand to alternately close your right, then left nostril. Hold your hand so you thumb, index finger and remaining fingers are separated. You use your thumb to close your right nostril and your third and fourth finger to close your left.

Take a slow moderately deep breath, and then close off your right nasal passage with your thumb. Exhale slowly through your left nostril, then inhale slowly through your left nostril, then close off your left nostril with your third and fourth fingers. Exhale through your right nostril, inhale through your right nostril and then again close your right nasal passage, exhaling through your left. Continue with this pattern for five to ten minutes alternating the nostril after each inhalation. After just a few cycles you will experience your mind calming and your body relaxing.

Use these practices throughout the day to balance your mind and body. Pranayama can energize you without the need for caffeine, relax you without the need for tranquilizers and soothe you without the need for alcohol. These natural techniques help to balance and nourish the field of energy, transformation and intelligence commonly known as your body/mind.