This is a breathing exercise widely practiced in yoga. It works very well when you’re trying to relax while at the same time looking to improve your concentration and replenish your energy. In fact, it works so well that it’s not really recommended to practice it before going to sleep, precisely because its objective is to make us feel more awake.

Here’s how you can practice this technique:

Find a comfortable position, it can be on the floor or in a chair. Before starting, make a complete exhalation.
Close your right nostril with the thumb of one hand.
Inhale through the left nostril.
Close the left nostril with the fourth finger and release the thumb.
Exhale through the right nostril.
Inhale through the right nostril, then close it with the thumb and release the fourth finger.
Repeat this same cycle for about 5 minutes. Make sure to always finish the exercise exhaling through the left side.

It is better if you do it on an empty stomach, and you should not practice it if you are not feeling well or are congested. For the duration of the exercise, try to keep your breathing smooth and even.

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