Chandra Bhedana (moon-piercing pranayama)

Chandra Bhedana Pranayama is a tranquilizing technique.

Chandra means moon and indicates ida nadi. Bheda (or bhedana) literally means “to pierce”, “pass through”, “awaken”, "activating" or "stimulating".

Chandra Bheda purifies and awakes ida nadi.

As we know, we all have individual sun and individual moon within this body. The place of moon is actually behind the forehead, called bindu chakra. So, in this technique we are activating our inner moon (the bindu chakra).

Chandra Bhedana is the opposite of Surya Bhedana.

Benefits:

Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and right brain hemisphere (creativity).
Cools the system.
Stimulates psychic capabilities.
Helps to relax, to calm down.
Decreases overexcitement.
Creates mental introversion.
Increases love, compassion, inner joy, satisfaction…

Contra-indications:

Not recommended for:

People suffering from Kapha disorders (coughing, sensitive cold, sinusitis, asthma,…).
People suffering from low blood pressure.
Introverted and depressed people or those suffering from slow/poor digestion or excess mucus.

Technique:

Sit in a comfortable meditative asana.
Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
Breathe slowly and deeply and focus on your breath.
By the right hand, do Vishnu mudra (or nasagra mudra), by the left hand Gyan mudra or Varuna mudra.
Close the right nostril and inhale slowly and deeply through the left nostril.
At the end of inhalation, close both nostrils by the ring finder and the thumb, chin lock (Jalandhar bandha) and retain the air inside.
Hold the breath for as long as is comfortable.
Release the chin lock, raise the head, and exhale through the right nostril. The exhalation must be very slow in comparison to inhalation.
This is one round, repeat it 10 rounds. Gradually, increase the length of inhalation/retention/exhalation. Exhalation should be the double length of inhalation.

Notes:

Practice in the guidance of the teacher.
Kumbhaka and bandhas should not be emphasized in this technique because both have heating effects.
Beginners do this technique without kumbhaka and bandhas.

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Hari 🕉!!!