A couple of nights ago, my daughter came to me complaining that she couldn't fall asleep. This was no great surprise, as she had been busy chatting on msn two minutes before retiring and was still too buzzed to sleep. Now whilst I don't usually recommend going straight from the computer to bed, here's a tip in case you are too wired too sleep.
Kundaline yoga left nostril breathing is a very quick and effective way to wind down and get into sleep mode. This is because the left nostril is connected to the right hemisphere of the brain, which can activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the stress effect, calming you down, slowing heart rate, cooling you down, increasing digestion, and so on. The right nostril is connected to the left hemisphere of the brain, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and is activated in times of stress. It causes the "flight or fight" response, and all the biological components of that including dilation of the pupils, increased temperature and sweating, increased heart rate, and so on. Not the state you want to be in when going to sleep.
Our breath naturally changes dominant nostrils approximately every 2-1/2 hours. You can tell which nostril is your dominate one at any time simply by blocking off one, then the other. The dominant one is easy to breathe through and the less dominate one feels like it is blocked. This alternation controls and regulates metabolism, temperature and many other physiological functions.
How to do it:
Use the thumb or index finger of the right hand to close the right nostril. Breathe long and deep for three minutes or until you fall asleep. You can do this sitting or lying down (getting into the horizontal position always helps me, though...). Lying on your right side will help open the left nostril. If the left nostril remains congested, try rubbing a tiny bit of Tiger Balm around the nostril and sinus area. (This "cheat" works within seconds.)
Many people who have insomnia don't have trouble going to sleep, instead they wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep. Again, breathing through the left nostril should do the trick.
I wish you deep sleep and great dreams.
Kundalini yoga left nostril breathing for insomnia
Friday, January 25, 2008 | holistic living | 3 comments »
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Why does insomnia happen? The answer is not always clear, sometimes it is caused by stress and other times there might be no apparent reason. There are ways you can improve both the quality and length of your sleep and break free of your patterns of poor sleep habits. You need not fear the night. http://www.besthealthmed.com/sleep_problems.html
Yes indeed you can alter your breath. However body does things for a reason. Perhaps first thing to do is to calm mind and body will calm itself.
Healthy mind healthy body and vice versa.
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