The Power of Alternating Nostrils

Presence is not something you chase. It’s something you return to.Day 15 brings us into one of yoga’s most foundational breath practices—Nadi Shodhana, the alternate-nostril breath that clears the mental fog, balances the hemispheres of the brain, and pulls your awareness straight into the present moment. This is the practice that cuts through overstimulation, anxiety spirals, and the thousand open tabs in your mind.It brings you back here, now.

What is Nadi Shodhana?

Nadi Shodhana means “channel cleansing.” The “nadis” are energetic pathways that carry prana (life force/energy/vibrancy) through the subtle body. This breath alternates air flow between the left and right nostrils to balance:

• Left brain / Right brain

• Lunar / Solar

• Intuition / Logic

• Parasympathetic / Sympathetic

• Stillness / Action

This isn’t symbolic. It’s literal. The moment you regulate the nostrils, the nervous system stops panicking and reorganizes itself.

Wellness Benefits of Nadi Shodhana

1. Mental clarity: By balancing the hemispheres, you dissolve brain fog and reset focus.

2. Nervous system regulation: The inhale/exhale ratio drops you into parasympathetic dominance, clearing anxiety and overwhelm.

3. Energetic cleansing: The breath moves stuck prana out of the way so awareness can move freely.

4. Emotional steadiness: When the breath slows, the mind follows. When the mind slows, the emotions settle.

5. Presence in real time: This practice forces you into exact cognitive and somatic alignment with the moment you’re living.

Why Practice With Maha Bandha

For this practice, Nadi Shodhana is paired with Maha Bandha—the great lock—to give you:

• A steady spine

• A stable seat

• A clear, anchored mind

Maha Bandha prevents energy from scattering.Nadi Shodhana prevents the mind from spiraling.Together, they create stillness you can trust.

Final Insight

Your mind is only ever chaotic when your energy is leaking in too many directions. Nadi Shodhana closes the leaks.Maha Bandha seals the container.And breath brings you home. Come back to the moment—and let the moment take care of everything else.