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Published: Wednesday 18 January 2023

In another of our series looking at breathing techniques you could use in your baby or toddler yoga classes, or perhaps Calmer Stories sessions, we focus on alternate nostril breathing, also known as Nadi Shodhan.

This technique aids relaxation very easily and deeply, and also creates a real sense of inner calm. The franticness of the day disappears and it has a real sense of cleansing and releasing.

The purpose of this pranayama (breathing exercise) is to purify the nerves and thereby strengthen the nervous system. Increase the duration gradually after attaining the concentration of mind.

  • Sit in any comfortable posture.
  • Make your breathing normal.
  • Close your right nostril with your thumb and fill in the breath through the left nostril.
  • When the breath has been filled inside, close the left nostril with your third finger and stay in this state for a few seconds.
  • Then lift the thumb from the right nostril and exhale slowly, keeping the left nostril closed.
  • Repeat the process by inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right nostril. This will complete one full round of Nadi Shodhana pranayama.
  • You should try to maintain a ratio of rhythm in both inhaling and exhaling.
  • When you exhale after holding your breath in, try to release your breath slowly and in a controlled and equal way.

This is a simple but very effective technique. If you'd like to learn to teach baby or toddler yoga or Calmer Stories, you can learn online, from home, with our distance learning courses. They're convenient, comprehensive and career-changing!

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