If you suffer from frequent headaches or sinus pressure try the breathing exercise below. This breathing technique will help to balance both sides of your brain to release pressure on one side.
Breathing and Headaches
- If you pay attention to your breathing you will notice air does not move through the nasal passages equally at the same time.
- Usually when the left nostril is more open, the right one is more congested and vice versa. This occurs because the flow of blood shifts back and forth between the nostrils in a rhythm that takes approximately one and a half to two hours.
- This rhythm is related to the functioning of the brain hemispheres and can play an important role in healing. When the left nostril is more open, the right hemisphere of the brain is generally more dominant; when the right nostril is more open, the left hemisphere is generally more dominant.
Try this breathing technique or exercise the next time you have a headache!
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Great for people who suffer from sinus or tension headaches.
Helps to clear out the “brain fog”.
1. Sit in a comfortable position with good posture.
2. Rest the index and second finger of your right hand on your forehead.
3. Close your right nostril with your thumb.
4. Inhale slowly and soundlessly through your left nostril.
5. Close your left nostril with your ring finger and simultaneously open your right nostril by removing your thumb
6. Exhale slowly and soundlessly and as thoroughly as possible through your right nostril.
7. Inhale through your right nostril.
8. Close your right nostril with your thumb and open your left nostril.
9. Exhale through your left nostril.
10. Inhale through your left nostril.
11. Begin by doing 5 cycles. Then slowly raise the number to from 10 to 25 cycles.