For over 2500 years breathing exercises have been used in Eastern religions to create changes in consciousness.  In the last 20 years researchers have created experiments to catalogue the effects of these various techniques.  As a result, science has discovered just how powerful these techniques are.  You may recall from the Blood Pressure Paper that simple breathing exercises can profoundly lower blood pressure.

A great deal of research now shows that the nostril through which you primarily breathe causes changes in the way you use you brain!  Specifically:

• Breathing through the left nostril improves spatial task performance. These activities involve abstract thinking--particularly in 3-dimensions.
• Breathing through the right nostril improves verbal comprehension skills (read the study). 
•  We all go through a pattern of breathing primarily through one nostril, then primarily through the other.  This cycle is associated with different brain patterns and different hormonal profiles throughout our bodies (read the research).
  
• Breathing through the right nostril results in more stress related hormones, and an increased heart rate.
  
• Breathing through the left nostril results in more activity from the parasympathetic ("relax and recharge") nervous system, and a decreased heart rate (read the research).
• When you breathe primarily through the right nostril, you use primarily the left side of your brain.  When you breathe primarily through your left nostril, you use primarily the right side of your brain (read the research).
  

Here are some tips on how to use this research:

• Sit quietly and comfortably with your spine erect. Breathe naturally for a few moments.
• Bring your right hand up to your nose--gently close your right nostril with your right thumb--inhale to a count of 6-8, hold to a count of 2, then exhale for a count of 6-8.
• Continue this for at least 5 minutes (stop if you grow dizzy or are out of breath).  Take note of how you feel.
• Now switch nostrils--close your left nostril with your right middle finger--practice breathing as outlined above.  Again, take note of how you feel.

Lastly, if you:

1. wish to relax--practice breathing through your left nostril for 5-30 minutes.
2. wish to energize yourself (sleepy after lunch?)--practice breathing through your right nostril for 5-30 minutes.
3. are having trouble sleeping--practice through the left nostril.
4. have had a stroke or other brain damage--practice breathing through the nostril on the opposite side of the damage.