Ayurveda: Managing Pitta Dosha in your body

The pitta dosha is one of the three basic bodily energies which governs the mental health and metabolism of the body. Several ways are suggested in Ayurveda to take care of the proper balance of this Dosha. The three Doshas, once at optimum levels, facilitate health at the mental and physical level. If any of the doshas vitiated, it results in poor health.

Pitta is the primary and purposeful energy within the body. Pitta is related to the fire and water element of Panch mahabhoot. Vitiated pitta causes several difficult symptoms and health disorders. In such a scenario, an individual is required to cleanse the body for excess pitta. 

What is Pitta Dosha? 

The word pitta springs from the Sanskrit language word ‘tapa’ meaning heat. Pitta is bodily energy that combines parts of fire and water element. It governs digestion, metabolism, and transformation within the body. Also aggravated pitta results in inflammation, anger, heat buildup within the body and plenty of alternative symptoms. 

Signs of aggravated Pitta Dosha

• Heat will increase within the body and causes discomfort.
• Inflammation resulting in joint pain.
• Stomach heat will increase resulting in pyrosis, acid reflux, and ulcers.
• Diarrhoea, constipation or impaired digestion.
• It causes anger, irritation, and frustration.
• Increased sweating and foulness.
• Increased hunger and thirst.
• Sore throat with infection.
• Headaches and burning sensation in eyes.

Causes of aggravated Pitta Dosha

There numerous reasons for the increase of pitta in the body. This includes: 

• An improper diet leads to an increase in pitta (pungent, sour, salty, deep-fried, and processed food).
• Exposure to chemicals and toxins.
• Spending a considerable amount of time under the sun/heat.
• Stress and tension cause excessive emotional flare-ups.
• Overloaded with work and inadequate rest.

Diet to scale back Pitta Dosha

Diet here doesn't mean to stop eating or less eating but right eating. To curb the vitiated pitta various measures together with flavouring remedies and dietary changes need to be implemented. Diet is that the key answer to the question 'How to manage pitta?'. Following tips can help you to pacific aggravated Pitta.

• Include foods that will pacify pitta. Consume food that is bitter, astringent, and sweet. Measures opposites that facilitate, pacify pitta.
• Apples(sweet), ripe grapes, milk, ghee, melon, plum, asparagus, unifoliate greens, cabbage, papaya, cucumber, cauliflower etc are beneficial in pacifying pitta.
• Grains like oats, quinoa, rice, wheat etc should be included in the diet.
• Good to consume legumes together with lentils, split peas, soybeans, black beans and white beans.
• Almonds pumpkin seeds, coconut, and flower seeds reduce increased pitta.
• Food including honey, white sugar, sesame oil, beef, chicken, salmon, walnut, cashews, preserved butter, urad dal, brown rice, corn, bananas, grapefruit, pineapple, tamarind, beets, eggplant, garlic, tomatoes, and turnips should be avoided.
• Avoid foods that are salty, sour and pungent and ideally take lightweight food that is easy to digest and doesn't overburden the digestive system.
• Eat fruits, vegetables that are bitter, sweet and astringent at least once a day.
• Include spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric and fennel for taste in food.
• Increase water intake and hydrate yourself at regular intervals of time.

Herbs to pacify Pitta Dosha

There are several home remedies in Indian culture for pacifying pitta dosha imbalance. They contain herbs that help to correct increased pitta. Few important herbs, that are commonly available in the kitchen, are mentioned below.

• Amla or Amalaki is one of the most effective and powerful herb/ fruit. It helps to cleanse pitta from the system. Amla is consumed as a fruit or Amalaki Capsule is consumed as a drug to scale back pitta.
• Neem is another potent herb that helps to regulate pitta. It's a tree and is bitter. it is one of the most effective herbs to manage pitta nullification.
• Triphala is a product made from a mixture of three fruits and it is very beneficial in reassuring pitta dosha.
• Cow’s milk ghee is a superb home remedy to scale back pitta and body heat.
• Jeera or cumin seeds are placed in lukewarm water that could be taken once in lunch to scale back pitta.
• Cardamom or Elaichi is a common spice that is effective in reducing pitta. 

Yoga Poses to scale back Pitta Dosha

Yoga and exercise increase body heat. It is necessary to do pitta pacifying yoga that doesn’t heat the body. It is suggested to perform yoga early morning. There are several useful Yogasanas or postures given in Ashtanga Yoga that will facilitate in reducing pitta. 

 Balasana (Child Pose)

Sit on your knees, bend forward to touch the ground with your forehead and keep your hands along the body line.

Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

Sit simply with crossed leg and both hands resting on the knees with palm facing upward.

Makarasana (Crocodile Pose)

It is a very simple pose. Only you need a soft surface to lie on your belly with your body fully relaxed. Arm crossed below the forehead.

Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

Lie down on your back and stay relaxed. Keep your hand below the hips with your palm facing downward. Raise your chest and bring your elbow closer to the body. Touch the top of the head on the ground. Bring weight on your elbows rather than on your head.

Bhujangasana( cobra pose)

It involves lying on your abdomen with hands underneath the shoulder and head upraised. Raise the upper body by stretching the hands and inhale. Exhale and lower down the upper body.

Navasana (Boat Pose)

Lie down on a soft surface with feet together and hand-stretched along the body line. Raise your legs at knee level and bring your chest upward with the help of back muscles. Raise your both hands parallel to the ground.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

Kneel on a soft surface and place your hand on the back of your hips. Slowly and gently bend backwards and slide your hand on your legs until they become straight. Don't over bend your neck, be natural.

Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

Lie down on your belly with your chin touching on ground. Place your hands below your thighs. Raise your chin and legs as high keeping your hands below the thighs.

Shavasana (corpse pose)

Lie down on a soft surface with your body fully relaxed. Keep your legs reasonably apart so that thigh muscles should not feel any strain. Keep your hands beside your body with your palm facing upward.

Note:- perform yoga under the strict guidance of a qualified instructor. Failing to which may cause injury or ill effect on your body and mind.

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Shad Rasa: Ayurvedic concept of food and health

Ayurveda gives importance to flavour, taste and the juices contained in the food rather than amount of carbs, protein or fat need to be consumed for healthy body. Therfore ayurveda describes the importance of Shad Rasa  for optimum health and lifestyle. Ayurveda emphasis on correct food with right combination of shad rasa, or six tastes. 

According to Ayurveda, we are born with a novel constitution or combination of three doshas. Tridosha is the energy concept that govern our bodies on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Vata, pitta and kapha are the dosha evolved due to intersection of pancha mahabhoota. Illness or disease is caused by associated degree of imbalance  among these doshas.

Importance of Vatta

Vata is the energy related to the movement of the body or substances within the body. It governs respiration, circulation and elimination. 

Aggravated vatta will cause disorders like flatulence, constipation, tremors, spasms, asthma, arthritic and degenerative joint disease.

Importance of Pitta

Pitta represents the fireplace part within the body. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and vital sign.

 Aggravated Pitta will cause disorders like acidity, ulcers, all kinds of skin eruptions, chronic fatigue, Crohn's disease, redness and various inflammatory issues.

Importance of Kapha

Kapha is that the energy that forms the structure of the body and provides lubrication to the joints and organs. 

Imbalanced kapha will cause issues like fat, high cholesterin, diabetes, edema, asthma, tumors etc.

Shada Rasa and their effect on dosha

According to Ayurveda, the most effective medicine and natural healing method is the right diet specific to the individual based on the imbalanced dosha. Because of their qualities and style, foods that tend to aggravate a particular dosha could irritate it and likewise, foods that decrease that dosha can pacify it and normalize its functions. Vata assuasive  foods can have additional sweet, bitter and salty tastes and fewer of too hot, bitter and pungent tastes. Pitta assuasive foods are going to be additional sweet, bitter and astringent and fewer sour, salty and pungent. Finally, kapha assuasive foods are going to be additional pungent, bitter and astringent and fewer sweet, salty and bitter. The incorrect combination of rasas will cause the body's natural functions to become unbalanced.

What is Shad Rasa

The word Shad Rasa means six juices. These six juices/ tastes are 

• Madhura Rasa (sweet)
• Amla Rasa (sour)
• Lavana Rasa (salty)
• Katu Rasa (pungent)
• Tikta Rasa (bitter)
• Kashaya Rasa (astringent)

The ratio of these six types of juices in our food will decide the health of individual based on the type of governing dosha. Maintaining a balance between the six rasas is very important. Each on of them impacts our Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in numerous ways. The associated degree of imbalance between the rasas can have a negative effect on the tridosha, thereby inflicting many disorders and diseases. 

Madhura Rasa (Sweet):

It balances the fireplace of the pitta, providing the body with vitality, energy and rejuvenates skin and hair. Foods like clarified butter, wheat, rice, milk, sugar, dates, and potatoes belong to the madhura rasa.

It promotes the expansion of plasma, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow and generative fluids. In excess, sweet produces several disorders altogether like loss of appetite, obesity, abnormal muscle growth, humour congestion, tumors, puffiness and polygenic disorder.

Amla Rasa (Sour):

 It will increase pitta and kapha and reduces vata dosha. Found in foods like yogurt, tomatoes, alcoholic beverages, citrus, sour cream, vinegar, cheese, lemon, unripe mangoes and soured food. Food rich in amla rasha keeps the body heat, enhances craving and hurries up digestion. They stimulate the appetence, improve the digestion, energize the body and nourish the guts.

In excess, this style will cause stomach upset, acidity, ulcers and perforations. Its chemical change action may be harmful to the blood and skin. It may cause skin problem like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, boils and puffiness. It may create burning sensations within the throat, chest, heart, bladder and tract.

Lavana Rasa (Salty):

It will increase kapha and pitta and diminishes vata. Very like amla rasa, lavana rasa conjointly helps keep the body heat and improves digestion. It conjointly facilitates growth within the body. It's laxative and may reduce spasms and pain within the colon. Like sweet and bitter, it's anabolic in action. 

However, an excessive amount of salt within the diet makes the blood viscous and thick. It will cause heat sensations, fainting, wrinkling phalacrosis and aggravates skin issues. Moreover puffiness, water retention, ulcers, heart disorders, skin eruptions, acidity and cardiovascular diseases may arise due to excessive consumption of salt.

Katu Rasa (Pungent): 

It will increase vata and pitta, and reduces kapha. Food like hot peppers, black pepper, chilli, onions, garlic, ginger, tulsi and asafetida contains katu rasa. Once consumed properly, it helps the breakdown of fat, aids digestion, enhances absorption and elimination, stimulates circulation, breaks up clots, and kills parasites and germs. Its qualities are lightweight, drying and heating.

However in excess, it causes symptoms like nausea, and abdomen irritation, looseness of the bowels, heartburn, organic process ulcers, redness and skin conditions. If it provokes vata, it will cause tremors, sleep disorder and muscle pain.

Tikta Rasa (Bitter):

It will increase vata, and diminishes pitta and kapha dosha. This rasa improves digestion, enhances liver performance and strengthens muscles. Foods like neem tree, bitter gourd, spinach, bitter melon, turmeric, dandelion, aloe vera belong to tikta rasa. Its qualities are dry and lightweight. It promotes the flavour of all tastes.

It is atoxic and kills germs. Bitter helps to alleviate burning sensations, itching, fainting and obstinate skin disorders. Its a fever pacifier and stimulates firmness of muscles and skin. In little doses it will relieve viscus gas and work as a organic tonic. Excess consumption of tikta rasa could consume plasma, blood, muscles, fat, bone marrow and humor which can end in poor sexual drive and performance.

Kashaya Rasa (Astringent):

It pacify pitta and kapha and aggravates vata dosha. It possesses anti-inflammatory drug properties, cools the abdomen, and helps the body to absorb nutrients properly. Tea, asparagus, pomegranate, figs, cauliflower, unripe bananas, pomegranate, chickpeas, yellow split peas, okra, turmeric, alfalfa sprouts and herb are samples of the astringent flavour.

However it will cause constipation, distension, heart spasm and stagnant circulation. It  additionally results in depletion of sperm cell and have an adverse effect on the sexual drive.

Summary

Ayurveda encourages the employment of herbs and aromatic spices, that includes healthful substances, to make a balanced mixture of all tastes. Indian thali, that consists of rice, lentils, vegetable dishes, roti,  salad, pickle and a sweet dish, is the perfect example of balanced rasa diet.

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Ayurveda: kapha dosha symptoms and remedies

Ayurveda explains the formation of nature ( including living and nonliving ) with five  basic elements called Panch mahabhoot. Due to interaction of these five elements, three forces come into existence.  These forces are vata Pitta kapha altogether known as tridosha. Imbalance of these forces creates around hundred forty types of diseases in human body.

What is the kapha

The kapha  is evolved due interaction of water and earth elements. As both elements are heavy and more physical, the resultant force will also exhibits similar properties. The nature of the kapha is as like sticky muddy fluids. When the kapha dosha gets imbalanced, there are possibilities of generation of around twenty type diseases in the body.

Importance of kapha

Kapha is responsible for joining things together. If kapha force is not there then everything will fall apart. It is also responsible for lubrication of  mouth, eyes, brain and stomach lining. It governs sense of taste and lubrication of joints.

Kapha regulates the structure of the body. It is also responsible for strength, immunity, stability and growth of the body. 

Characteristics of kapha

Aacharya Sushrut define kapha as heavy cold, sweet, lubricant, stable, slow, calm, patience, dense and sticky.

So these are the characteristics of kapha in a body.

Kapha body type and personality

The kapha body type can be explained as follows.

• Heavy and strong body.
• High physical strength.
• Slow in motion and activities.
• Speak softly and calmly. Good voice.
• Lazy, lethargic and  sleep lover.
• Live long age.
• Inner peace 
• most stable

Symptoms of aggravated kapha dosha

• Increased weight and obesity.
• Low appetite.
• More sleep.
• Heaviness and sticky skin.
• Laziness.
• Slow digestion.

Reasons of aggravated kapha dosha

• Consumption of sweet and heavy food
• Carbonated water and other cold drinks.
• Fried and junk foods.
• Preserved, processed and cold food.
• Eating more than required.
• Less or no rigorous exercises/ Physical activities.
• Excessive sleep duration.
• Comfortable life style.

  

Types of kapha dosha 

As per Ayurveda, kapha dosha is subdivided into five different types. These five subtypes represent five different parts of the body

• Avalambaka kapha- situated in chest.
• Kledaka kapha- situated in stomach.
• Bodhaka kapha- situated at tongue.
• Tarpaka kapha- situated in the head.
• Shleshaka Kapha - situated in bone joints.

Diseases due to increased kapha

Ayurveda depicts that the imbalance of kapha gives birth to twenty types of diseases in body. Few of them are:- 

• Sinus congestion
• Poor sense of smell
• Poor sense of tastes
• Improper digestion
• Low appetite
• Low absorption 
• Lethargic attitude
• Lower back pain w
• Weight gain
• Oily and sticky skin 
• Painful joints

Remedies to pacify aggravated kapha dosha

(A) Right food consumption

Ayurveda does not give any calorific calculation about food consumption. Neither it gives importance to diet system based on carbohydrates, protein etc. Howerever it emphasis on the importance of six types of juices or flavours that food contains. These six juices ( Rasa) combine in different ways to create variety of tastes. These are:

• Sweet ( Madhura)
• Sour ( amla)
• Salty ( lavana)
• Pungent ( Katu)
• Bitter ( Tikta)
• Astringent ( Kasaya)

 The first three Rasa i.e. sweet, salty and sour increases Kapha dosha in body. These three tastes enhence the water retention in the body. So to pacify kapha we are supposed to eat foods which are opposite in nature. These are pungent, bitter and astringent.

We need to include food in our diet that is dry, light, warm, easy to digest and it should flavour pungent, bitter and astringent. 

(B) Right daily routine

• Early to bed and early to rise.
• Reduce sleep duration. Night awakening is also beneficial to pacify increased Kapha.
• Regular physical activities and rigorous exercises. One may include jogging, long running, cycling, trekking and swimming in daily routine.
• Wearing warm clothing and avoid cold and inactive work area.

( C) Yoga to pacify Kapha

• Suryasana
• Ardha chandrasna
• Trikonasana
• Dhanurasana
• Shirsasna

Summary

Understanding the aggravated dosha is very important and it is covered in a easy way in Ayurveda. There is an old saying in India that "pehla Sukh nirogi Kaya". It emphasis on the importance of healthy body and Ayurveda is that tool which empower us to be healthy to live life at the fullest.

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Tridosha theory in Ayurveda. Read here

Pancha Mahabhoota. Elements of life. Read here

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Tridosha theory in ayurveda

The word Dosha means 'which keeps on changing'. It can be regarded as an error or fault that arises due to imbalance of cosmic elements within the body.

As term Dosha means that which changes with time, therefore it is a dynamic balance between Pancha Mahabhoota. Simultaneous interaction of these five elements result in certain kind of interdependent forces. These forces are known as Vatta,  Pitta and Kapha. And these three together is known as Tridosha.

Know the importance of Nadi shodhana Pranayama

Vatta

Vatta is a kind of force, generated by interaction of Vayu and Aakash elements. The proportion of Vayu and Aakash elements in body determines the effectiveness of Vatta. The amount of Aakash element will affect the mobility and momentum of Vayu within the body.

Pitta

Pitta is the force created by combination of two elements known as Agni and Jal. It is the force that determines the transformation of one thing into another. For example, The food that we eat is converted into suitable substances by Pitta so that it can be absorbed by the body.

Kapha

Kapha is the force created by  the interaction of Jal and Prithvi elements. It governs the structure and growth of body by accumulation and storage.

Simple steps to balance your Ida and Pingala

Understanding the concept of tridosha

Let's take any machine, for example an automobile.

• Input of raw material and excretion of waste product is governed by Vatta. 
• The combustion of fuel and conversion it into useful work is governed by Pitta.
•  Storage for future use such as charging of battery is governed by Kapha.

This principle is also valid for all living organism. Their food intake and excretion system is governed by Vatta.

Digestion of food and conversion into substances or elements that can be absorbed by the body is governed by Pitta.

Storage of energy for  future use is governed by kapha. 

Tridoshas and the universe

As per Ayurveda, all living and non-living things in this  nature/ universe undergoes three stages of evolution with time i.e. formation, transformation and destruction . The whole process is governed by Tridosha. The formation or starting and destruction of any thing is governed by Vatta, transformation by Pitta and Kapha governs sustainability.

Tridosha and Tridhaatu

Largely and mostly we heard about dosha. Dosha means fault or mistake. However Vatta, Pitta and Kapha are the governing force that is required for the balance and survival of the body. Then question arises, why they are known as Dosha.

The unbalance among these three forces is called tridosha. However, when Vatta, Pitta and Kapha are in their perfect balance then this state is known as Tridhaatu. Body remains in perfect equilibrium and free from all diseases and ailments during this state.

Understand kundalini yoga before practicing it.

Tridosha and human body

Maharshi Vagbhatta says that when the three force are in Tridhaatu, it symbolises a healthy and perfect body. If they loose equilibrium, the body generates diseases and ailments. 

Further Maharshi  emphasizes that if eating habit and lifestyle is followed against the Ayurveda then these Dosha will manifest the process of destruction within the body.

Tridosha and body parts

The lower abdominal area, below navel, is the influence area of Vatta. It includes our large intestine and small intestine.

The middle part of the body that is area between lungs  and navel is influenced Pitta. It includes stomach.

The upper body area including chest area and head is influenced by Kapha.

Tridosha and human lifespan

When a human being is in his childhood, he remains under the influence of kapha. Maximum growth of the body happens during this period. That means the maximum mass of the body is accumulated during the influence period of kapha.

During adulthood of a human being i.e from twenty years to forty years, the body is under the influence of Pitta. This is the sustained transforming stage after this destruction will start.

During the old age i.e after forty years of age, the human body comes under the influence of Vatta that slowly leads to destruction of the body

Tridosha and diseases

Kapha Disease

• Cold, cough and cold
• Cataract in the eye
• Hearing loss
• Thyroid
• Obesity

Pitta Diseases

• Indigestion
• Yellowing of skin, nails and eyes
• Hypertension
• Severe burning or heat sensation in the body
• Ulcers
• Fainting or dizziness

Vatta Diseases

• Weakness in bones
• Shrinking or breaking of bones
• Constipation problem
• Cold and numbness of organs
• Stiffness in body

Summary

Meaning of Ayurveda means ' ved for long life'. It is the perfect science to live a healthy life. But the problem is that we have almost forgotten our ancient scriptures. Maharishi Vagbhatta said that if you follow the principal of Ayurveda, you will definitely live long and healthy life. It's a high time for us to get back to the real science of healthy life i.e. Ayurveda.

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Reveal the five basic elements of your body

What is Panch tattva theory

In Ayurveda, the human body is made up of five element. Understanding these five elements of body will help you to understand your own health and well being . In fact these elements are responsible for the existence of each and everything that we see, feel, eat, smell, hear and experience. 

Not only human body, rather the whole nature is made up of these five elements. Our body has enormous natural powers but most of them are dormant and we do not even reveal them in our entire life. In ancient scripture, Yogis have decoded these secrets. Ayurveda tells us how to live our life at the fullest.

When an individual dies, his body get dismantled into five elements by decay or burning. Here is an interesting fact. Individual accumulate these five elements from birth to death. Upon death, these elements get disintegrated and return back to nature. 

The five elements of body are:-

• Bhumi ( Earth element)
• Vayu (Air element)
• Agni ( Fire element)
• Jal (Water element) 
• Aakash ( Ether element)

Read it here, how to balance Ida and Pingala.

Inter-relationship of pancha tattva:-

• Ether/ space element is abundance in nature. However it is the most subtle element among five. Rest four elements resides in this element. 
• Next closely related element to space is air. Space supports air and helps air to flow.
• Fire is closely connected to air. In the absence of air, fire element cannot exist.
• The fourth element comes in existence due to fire. Because fire is the element which coverts the solid into liquid and mentains the physical state of liquid.
• Lastly, in the absence of water content, life can't be possible on earth. There are enough examples, all the ancient civilizations were evolved around the water bodies. Barren lands have least scope of life.

Features of earth element:-

• Earth is not only related to land or sand but also to all those which are physical in nature. 
• The physical parts of body like bones, muscles, organ etc are  as represented as earth element.
• Human body grows from what we eat. Our food comes from earth
• Around 12% of our body contains earth element.

Learn more about Five sheaths of human body

Features of water element:-

• Water element represent all that which is in liquid state in our body or in universe.
• Fluids in body including blood, urine, semen, sweat etc constitute this element.
• Our body comprises of 72% of water.
• This element covers the highest contribution among the five elements.
•  It is also responsible for transportation of various vitamins and minerals from one place to another parts of body.

Features of Air element:-

• Around 6% of our body is comprises of air element.
• It is responsible for the movements happening within the body.
• It is responsible for expansion, compression and blockage.
• Air is a vital component of life. Without it life is nearly impossible.
• Respiratory and Excretion system utilise air element.

Features of Fire element:-

• It converts matter from one form to another.
• It is responsible for the body temperature.
• It produces energy from food that we eat.
• It regulates hunger, thirst and sleep.
• It actively involved in digestive system.
• It contributes around 4% percent to the body.

Features of Ether element:-

• It is also known as the empty space.
• It contains all the four elements.
• It represent blank space in our body.
• Various organs like stomach, kidney, bladder, intestine, lungs etc are attributed to this element.
• It is contributing around 6% of the whole body.

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Nadi shodhana Pranayama - Yoga exercise for breathing

Nadi shodhana Pranayama (yoga exercise for breathing). Highly effective yoga technique for physical, mental and spritual wellbeing. The word yoga is evolved from Sanskrit language. The word yoga means summation of two things. These two things are you and the nature. Yoga will help you to get in-sync with nature. As per ancient scriptures, Ashtanga Yog comprises of eight limbs. 

These eight Limbs are:-

• 
  
  
• Yam
• Niyam 
• Aasan 
• Pranayama
• Pratyahara
• Dharana
• Dhyana
• Samadhi 

Here we are going to discuss about Nadi shodhana Pranayama. Its a type of Pranamaya.

What is Pranayama

Pranayama basically yoga exercise for breathing. It is intensivelyly utilised for physical and mental wellness. Pranayama is a Sanskrit word formed by combination of Prana and Ayam. Prana means life energy and Ayam means expansion. So pranayam means expansion of life energy.

What is Nadi shodhana

Again Nadi shodhana is a Sanskrit word , where Nadi means pathway and shodhana means purification. Here Nadis are not the nerves or any physical part of our body. One cannot see them by cutting body parts. Rather Nadi is the space being utilised for flow of energy. There are seventy two thousand Nadis within our body. Any blockage in flow of the energy will leads to various physical and mental illness.

Understand the concept of Nadi and Chakra in our body.

Step by step guide for performing Nadi shodhana

It is so simple that you can perform it at home without any specialised assistance. All you need an open space with abundance of natural fresh air and a yoga mat. Its a potent Yogic technique being utilised for metal and physical healing. The most preferred time to do this breathing exercise is at early morning hours just before sunrise. Because during this time air will have maximum oxygen content and lowest toxic contents. So let's start.

Step 1- Relax yourself

Sit comfortably on yoga mat and keep your both hands on your thigh facing upward. Sit relaxed and calm with your spine comfortably erect. Observe your breathing pattern for few seconds by keeping attention at nostrils.

Step 2- Single nostril breathing

(A) Right nostril breathing

• Raise your left hand and place your left thumb on your left nostril. Now inhale and exhale long breathes from the right nostril for ten times.
• Inhale a long breathe, hold for few seconds and then exhale. Repeat it for five times.

(B) Left nostril breathing

• Raise your right hand and place your right thumb on your right nostril. Now inhale and exhale long breathes from the left nostril for ten times.
• Inhale a long breathe, hold for few seconds and then exhale. Repeat it for five times.

Step 3- Alternate nostrils breathing

• Raise your right hand and place your thumb on right nostril. Inhale from left nostril, hold for three seconds and exhale from right nostril by closing left nostril from middle finger and ring finger.
• Now inhale from right nostril, hold for three seconds and exhale from left nostril.
• Repeat this process for twenty times.

Find out more about Nadi and Chakra here.

Benefits

(A) Physical benefits

• Body becomes active.
• Detoxify body and blood.
• Improves blood purification.
• Increases oxygen level.
• Reduce cholesterol and sugar
• Reduce uric acid.
• Fat reduction.
• Increases lungs power.

(B) Mental benefits

• Releases stress and anxiety
• Increases memory power
• Enhance inner peace and calmness.
• Enhance concentration and focus.

(C) Spiritual benefits

• Regulate and balance the flow of vital energies.
• Balances Ida and Pingala.
• Removes Nadi blockage.
• Activates Sushumna.

Find out how to balance Ida and Pingala nadi.

Summary

There is alot of difference between normal breathing and Pranayama. Unlike normal breathing, in Pranayama we are intentionally and forcefully letting air to flow through nostril. In yoga its very important. It initiates various dormant activities which are highly beneficial for physical, mental as well as spiritual wellbeing.

Significance of Ida and Pingala in activating kundalini.

Precaution

If you are new and doing yoga for the first time then you should take guidance of any yoga instructor or experienced person. Doing yoga in wrong manner may harm you.

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Balance your Ida and Pingala with Nadi shodhana

 What is Nadi Shodhana

Nadi means pathway and shodhan means purification. Therefore the word Nadi shodhan means purification of pathway.

Ida and Pingala are the two Pathways for the flow of vital energy of life. Lots of problems may arises due to obstruction in these pathways. It may result in anxiety, sleeplessness, stress, anger, restlessness. If it continues for long time the symptoms will convert into diseases.

Ida represents the properties of lunar and pingala represents the properties of sun. In the following paragraphs we will discuss about disbalance of Ida and Pingala.

Consequences of weak Ida Nadi

• Frequent closing of left nostril.
• Emotionally weak.
• Weak thought process.
• Lack of pleasure.
• lack of logic.
• Reduced mind power.
• Improper digestion.

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Consequences of overactive Ida Nadi

• Hyper emotional stage.
• Too much thought process.
• Over reacting.
• Too much addiction.
• Over cautiousness.

Consequences of weak Pingala Nadi

• Lower digestion.
• Like loneliness and isolation.
• Low self confidence.
• Low self-esteem.
• Fearful and scared.
• No fighting spirit.
• Blocked right nostril.

Consequences of overactive Pingala Nadi

• High body temperature.
• Hi temper.
• Gets irritated easily.
• Excessive appetite.
• Lean body.
• Dry skin.
• High physical and sexual energy.

How to balance Ida and Pingala

One of the eight limbs of ashtanga yoga called Pranayam, plays an important role in nadi shodhan. Anunom vilom, Chandra bhedi nadi shodhan and Surya bhedi nadi shodhan are the three ways to balance ida and pingala.

How to check whether Ida is weak or pingla

• It can be noticed by observing the symptom of unbalanced Ida and pingla.
• when you keep the thumb and index finger just below the two nostrils, you can see which nostril is blocked or flowing less.

Observations

Left nostril block or flowing less means

• Weak Ida nadi or overactive Pingala nadi.
• To balance this situation we have to do Chandra bhedi nadi shodhan.

Right nostril blocked or flowing less means

• Weak pingla nadi or overactive Ida nadi.
• to balance it we have to do Surya bhedi nadi shodhan.

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How to perform chandra bhedi nadi shodhan

• It is to be done when you have overactive pingla nadi or weak Ida nadi.
• To perform Chandra Nadi shodhan sit at a comfortable place with your spine comfortably erect. 
• Place your left hand on left thigh and palm facing upward with thumb and index finger touching each other. 
• Raise your right hand and place your thumb on right nostril.
• Now you have to inhale from left nostril, hold for three seconds and exhale from the same nostril.
• continue this process for 10 to 15 times. This process is called chandrabhedi nadi shodhan.

How to perform Surya bhedi nadi shodhan

• When your right nostril is closed you can perform Surya bhedi nadi shodhan
• Sit comfortably and keep your spine comfortably erect. Place your right hand on your right thigh and palm facing upward with thumb and index finger touching each other.
• Raise your left hand and place your thumb on the left nostril.
• Now inhale with right nostril, hold for three seconds and exhale from the same nostril. Repeat it for 10 to 15 times
• This Kriya will strengthen your Pingala nadi. It is also known as Surya bhedi nadi shodhan.

When both Ida and Pingala are almost balance

In this situation you need not to carry out any of the nadi shodhan rather you can do anulom-vilom pranayam. In this kriya both nostrils are engaged at the same time.

How to perform Anulom-vilom pranayam

• Sit comfortably with your spine comfortably erect. Keep your left palm on left thigh with thumb and index finger touching each other.
• Raise your right hand place your thumb on right nostril, ring finger on left nostril and index finger on forehead. 
• Now you can inhale from left nostril, hold for three seconds and exhale from right nostril. Now start with right nostril and complete the reverse cycle.
• Repeat this process for 10 to 15 minutes. Later on , duration can be increased. This will improve balance between Ida and Pingala.

Precautions while carrying out nadi shodhan

• Don't put excessive pressure on nostril.
• Exhale and inhale with normal intensity.
• Duration of inhale should be longer than duration of exhale.
• If you feel breathlessness while doing nadi shodhan revert back to normal breathing.
• Perform yoga under expert guidance.

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