Alternate nostril breathing

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 12 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Alissa	12 Jun 2003
Can someone please tell me why in Divinity's name we're taught this meditation/breathing technique? I swear to god, I'm great with about a zillion other ways of breathing for meditation, but I just can NOT get this alternate nostril technique to work for me. My main problem is when I close off one nostril (no matter how light my touch), it stays "closed" on the inside, stuck together with my nasal membranes once I let go and try to alternate nostrils. So I end up snuffling a LOT and lose my concentration completely while trying to wiggle my nose loose from the inside, so I can actually breathe. Beyond going for saline spray every time I'm gonna try this breathing technique, is there anything other folks can share here? I know alternate nostril breathing is very "IMPORTANT" as I've been told a hundred million times, but I've tried this technique off and on for at least 10 years and can't get this to work for me in the least. I can't help but feel I'm missing out on something great, but maybe it's just time for me to chuck this technique out the window and say "not for me". Reading about it yet again today prompted me to post this thread, to hear what experiences other meditators have had with it.

WillieHewes	12 Jun 2003
Quote: maybe it's just time for me to chuck this technique out the window and say "not for me". Yes, maybe. *giggles* I've never seen the point of it. I mean, I can do it, but I don't understand why. The air mingles up in your nose-cavity anyway, so what's the difference? Just try something that does work for you!

PurpleGoddess	12 Jun 2003
i've been taught this practice in my massage therapy program. i have an article at home and in my managing stress that explains it more fully. i'll try to find it for you. i'll try to find a scanner to possibly pm to you? put simply, by breathing alternate nostrils accesses different sides of the brain and helps draw focus away from thought. we unconsciously already breath like this like when we intellectually thinking i think is the right open/left closed and being intuitive or creative left open/right closed. or it's the other way around. i think you're just having a problem accepting this technique and that's why you've got stickage. :) you just need to close the very open part of the nostril not press up along side the nose with your finger tip not your whole finger. does that help. this is how i found out i had a cold in one nostril. peace and good luck! :)

LittleWing	12 Jun 2003
yes - this has alot to do with 'medatitive' focus - but this is not a more IMPORTANT form of breathing than any other. it shows mind over matter ........... control over the physical body. the key is proberbly to persist - but do not become agitated if you cannot do it!!! - it takes time to break down barriers and learn new patterns. good luck.

DarkElectric	12 Jun 2003
Oh dear, I don't mean to be the "Sticky Wicket" here, but I'm open to accepting the technique, and I have nothing but trouble with it too. For similar reasons. I have allergies, and a LOT of upper respiratory distress on occasion, and this seems to exacerbate the cloggage problem. I wish the technique could take my mind off what it's supposed to take my mind off of, but all it seems to do is make me extremely aware of unpleasantly obstructed nasal passages :(

Alissa	12 Jun 2003
Quote: Originally posted by DarkElectric I wish the technique could take my mind off what it's supposed to take my mind off of, but all it seems to do is make me extremely aware of unpleasantly obstructed nasal passages :( Yes yes yes yes yes -- me too. And, yes, PurpleGoddess, I totally have argument with the technique. But it's the chicken and egg as to "why" I feel this way -- do I argue with it b/c it doesn't work for me; or b/c it doesn't work for me, I argue with it? First, I guess I don't buy that we need to treat air/breathing like this. It makes no sense to me in all my anatomical training. And, instead of giving my mind something to work with (like breath watching will), it distracts me to the point of "oh forget it" while using it. I know the meridian concept in eastern medicine might apply -- it would likely say that by allowing separate air flows through the nostril, we balance our meridians. But I just don't get it. In spiritual matters, I use my own personal litmus test, and this one never holds up for me. I tried again a while after posting this, and I got to the good point where I could at least breathe while alternating nostrils, but the whole process of pinching off one side and then the next ... I don't know. It pulls focus, brings me back into my body and the actions I'm taking, and not to the other place inside my mind that I'm trying to get to. I'm sorry to be so argumentative ... please understand my frustrated words come from within, and are not directed to those who are trying to post and talk about this as well. I continue to welcome other opinions on the whole issue....

LittleWing	12 Jun 2003
does anyone practise yoga? well, this takes years and years ..... basically you spend your whole life learning. there is no point in being impatient - you should practise without ambition ..... as ambition creates tension. easier said than done, i know, but this in itself is a challenge ..... breaking down barriers. dedication is needed - perhaps practising every day for years ...... but then one day it will be acomplished. some things just don't come easy! - but never say 'i cant do it' , never give up! - everything is possible. aim to control your mind and body, rather than letting it control you.

The Alternate nostril breathing thread was originally posted on 12 Jun 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.