Anulom Vilom

Instructions

Anulom vilom is alternate nostril breathing: you inhale through one nostril, exhale through the other, then reverse for the next cycle.

  1. Sit with a long, easy spine and relaxed shoulders. Soften the jaw and face.
  2. Rest your left hand on your knee. With the right hand, use Vishnu mudra: fold the tips of the index and middle fingers toward the palm; the thumb, ring finger, and little finger stay extended.
  3. To close the right nostril, place your thumb on the right nostril. To close the left nostril, place your ring and little fingers on the left nostril.
  4. Follow the app: each Inhale is in through the open nostril; each Exhale is out through the other. Move thumb and ring finger so only one side is open at a time.
  5. On Hold (when your pattern includes it), many people lightly seal both nostrils with thumb and ring finger and pause briefly; only as long as it stays easy.
  6. One full round is one complete pass through every phase this app shows for your pattern (each inhale, exhale, and hold in order). A common simple pattern is inhale left → exhale right → inhale right → exhale left; insert the hold steps where your level includes them.
  7. If you feel dizzy or agitated, stop, breathe normally through both nostrils, and rest.

Traditions vary on starting nostril, hand, and exact retentions. Use the timing here as a metronome and follow the technique you were taught when they differ.

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Pattern