In Yoga, the breath brings us in and out of poses, guides our movements, and fuels our muscles. It can be said that nothing is more important in this practice than breathing. It is through breath that we first learn to become aware and still, and it is the inhale and exhale which brings us, always, back to the moment and back to center.

It is for this reason that Pranayama is often used to end and begin a practice. prana, means breath. Pranayama is the practice of conscious, purposeful breathing to gain awareness, flush out toxins and still and steady the mind so that we can more peacefully occupy our bodies. Almost all Yogis, from beginner to advanced, have had some experience with Pranayama, even if they didn't recognize it at first.

The practice of controlled breathing should not be reserved just for before and after asana. While it lends itself very well to this, it can also be used anytime to calm us, energize us, warm us, or cool us. The regular practice of this technique will make us more joyful, and it can provide stress relief just when we need it most. Before we can use it effectively, though, we must learn a thing or two about something called the nadis.

Nadis are channels, or pathways, recognized in ancient Hindu practice, which wind a path through the right and left sides of the body, crossing the central channel, which connects the chakras. The right nadi starts in the right nostril and crosses over, winding through the left side of the body. The left nadi, of course, starts in the left nostril and crosses over, winding primarily through the right side of the body.

These channels are also thought of as the sun and moon channels, or they can be seen as yin/yang, male/female, etc. Sun and moon, to me, is a particularly good metaphor for understanding their separate functions, because it is quite easy to associate the sun with heat, energy, ambition, etc, and the moon with cool, calm, introspection, and rest. The nadis also have names; Pingala is the sun and Ida is the moon.

When we close off our right nostril and breathe only through Ida, we gain calm and we experience a cooling of the body. Left nostril breathing is perfect for tense moments, or just before bed, a job interview, or any high stress situation. When we need to calm ourselves, we can simply shut away Pingala, seal our lips, and slowly, purposefully breath in and out through the left nostril for several minutes.

On the other hand, when we are feeling especially tired, weak, or depressed, we can benefit from right nostril breathing. By closing Ida and inhaling and exhaling through the right side of our nose, we can gain energy, warmth and drive. This is perfect before a run or prior to activities which require more from us physically than mentally. Pingala is also associated with sensual pleasures.

Daily Pranayama practice will start with single nostril breathing, beginning with Ida, then Pingala. It should then lead to alternate nostril breathing, where the breath is taken in by Ida, and dispensed through Pingala, and then reversed. Finally, there should be several minutes of quiet, mindful breathing through both nostrils, and out the mouth. Doing this practice daily on top of Yoga practice is very good for our bodies, hearts and minds.

Breath control enhances awareness, increases lung capacity, and reduces stress, negative thoughts, and unnecessary fears and worries. Before a Yoga practice, it centers us and helps us become more deeply rooted in the task at hand. It also helps move prana energy through the body, producing a more spiritual and fulfilling experience. Finally, it is easy to do in any amount of space and can keep us connected to our practice no matter what our life situation is.

As we tap into our breath, we get closer to the still softness at the core of our lives, and we begin to let it teach us. Each contact with the simple, yet profound inhale and exhale which sustains us, is an encounter with the divine truth that we are alive, and from this comes gratitude and perfection. This is the principal at the heart of Pranayama and at the heart of all deep, spiritual works.