Anulom Vilom Pranayama – To Rejuvenate Heart, Reboot Mind and Cure Autoimmune Diseases

Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

It is indeed miraculous that a vital but disregarded practice of breathing, when done consciously can yield so much with such little time investment. Pranayama is the art of conscious breathing. All it takes is a small investment of 20 minutes a day to reap the amazing benefits that practice of pranayama has to offer.

Anulom Vilom(alternate breathing) pranayama  entails breathing in and out from alternate nostrils at an easy pace, thus using both nostrils simultaneously (Most humans use only 1 nostril for breathing that alternates every 2-4 hours).

Benefits of Anulom Vilom pranayama:

Anulom Vilom pranayama influences all heart functions. It is known to remove blockages from clogged arteries and lower cholesterol as well as triglycerides. Not only Anulom Vilom controls high blood pressure, but cures it permanently.

This pranayama works wonders on all conditions related to nervous system. Depression, migraine, paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, brain injuries, tremors and all neuropathies are amenable to cure with this potent breathing exercise.

Autoimmune diseases like arthritis, even in advanced form including degenerated cartilage, bent ligaments, changed Synovial fluid and deformed extremities respond well to Anulom Vilom.

Vericose veins, sinusitis, sneezing, allergies as well as snoring go away with regular practice of this breathing exercise.

Precautions:

Pranayama should be done on empty stomach. Having a gap of 5 hours after a full meal is advised. For this reason, Best time for pranayama is early morning after freshening up.

There are no restrictions for Anulom Vilom pranayama . Everybody can do it. However, never go beyond your physical limits and stop as soon as you feel tired.

Start with 3 minutes of Anulom Vilom pranayama. Gradually take it up to 5-10 minutes to maintain good health. Those seeking to cure a medical condition may do it up to 20 minutes.

How to do Anulom Vilom Pranayama:

• Sit comfortably but erect; either in Sukhasana or Padmasana. If either of these is not possible; you might use a chair with straight back. Either way, keep your back straight and eyes closed.

• Close right nostril with right thumb and breathe in easily from left nostril.
• Close left nostril with ring and middle finger of right hand and exhale from right nostril uniformly.
• With left nostril closed, Inhale from right nostril.
• Close right nostril and breathe out from left nostril.
• Repeat for as long as comfortable while remaining within the suggested time limits. Here is a visual demonstration of Anulom Vilom pranayama by Swami Ramdev.

Please note that at some places in video, the translated voice over is not correct – At least 3 times, at 00:37, 00:42 and 00:46 right nostril has been termed as left and vice-versa. At times of confusion, believe in what you see on screen.