Surya Bhedi Pranayama is one of the most beneficial yoga breathing techniques, which promotes the flow of inner solar energy throughout the body.
It wakes up vitality, warms up the body, which will help in improving concentration, because it excites the right nostril (Pingala Nadi). The Pranayama is effective by practiced by people who face issues of sluggishness, low digestive fire, or absence of mental clarity, since it activates the sympathetic nervous system.
Here’s a write-up and read the full explanation of how to learn Surya Bhedi, practice it, and bring it into your everyday life safely.
What is Surya Bhedi Pranayama?
Surya Bhedi Pranayama is the right nostril dominant Pranayama. The word Surya denotes the Sun, and the Bhedi signifying piercing or channeling.
In this practice, the practitioner breathes in using the right nostril and out of the left one. This is assumed to activate solar energy, which is related to activity, warmth, metabolism, and alertness.
The right nostril relates to the Pingla Nadi, a major energy channel as per yogic anatomy, which dictates life force, excitement, and warmth.
Surya Bhedi is thus famous for raising energy levels as well as body temperature.
How Surya Bhedi Pranayama Works on the Body
This Pranayama awakens the Pingala Nadi, which awakens the dynamic function of the body and mind. It also activates the sympathetic nervous system, which is involved in acting and finding alertness.
The effect of doing this technique is increased body warmth, digestion aid, and improved mental alertness.
The air in the right nostril is said to release the solar energies in the body and inspire warmth and better physiological functions.
It proves particularly handy when winter comes or people have chilly hands/feet, lack energy, and slow digestion.
Step-by-Step Guide to Practicing Surya Bhedi
To perform Surya Bhedi, you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Sit comfortably in a disseminated pose such as Sukhasana, Padmasana, or Vajarasana. Maintain a straight spine and shoulders.
Step 2: Close the nostrils and sit in a comfortable position. Load your lungs and take a deep breath.
Step 3: Use your thumb and press your right nostril, then inhale.
Step 4: Seal your left nose with gentle pressure using the right finger.
Step 5: Now breathe with your right nostril.
Step 6: Continue to plug your right nostril with your thumb.
Step 7: Now, inhale through the left nostril.
Step 8: Repeat this entire process 5-15 times according to your body’s convenience.
Note: Ensure that before you practice Surya Bhedi, you must have an empty stomach and prefer to perform it in the early morning hours.
Top Health Benefits of Surya Bhedi Pranayama
Surya Bhedi is a very broadly powerful, physiological, and psychological remedy. Among some of the strategic ones are:
- Surya Bhedi Pranayam helps in regularizing the intestines and increasing the digestive fire.
- Increases energy, lowers fatigue, and solves the problem of feeling sluggish.
- Stimulates the nervous system to increase mental focus and mind clarity.
- Assists in balancing low blood pressure and warming up the system and circulation.
- This Surya Bhedi Pranayam helps in dealing with cold-related diseases like asthma, blocked sinuses, or numb limbs.
- Helps in being more focused and helps alleviate drowsiness, especially when done in the morning.
Who Should Avoid Surya Bhedi Pranayama?
Though Surya Bhedi Pranayama helps most individuals, but may still not work in some conditions. Below are some conditions:
- If you are juggling with high blood pressure or hypertension.
- Individuals who are having issues related to the heart.
- If you have fever, inflammation, or infections.
- This Pranayama should not be practiced by pregnant women unless medical practitioners allow them.
- Individuals who are anxious or susceptible to panic attacks may find it difficult to perform the Surya Bhedi Pranayama.
Those who practice yoga should do it with the consultation of a yoga therapist or a healthcare practitioner in case one is in an unfit state of medical condition.
Ideal Time and Duration for Maximum Results
Surya Bhedi has to be practiced in the early morning, that is, around 4:00 am to 6:00 am in the morning when there are no disturbing thoughts in the mind and the energy level is low.
Train on an empty stomach or at least 3 hours before a meal. Beginners can start with 5 minutes and slowly start giving it 15 minutes at a time until one is comfortable and experienced.
Uniformity is the essence. Constant individual use after a few weeks will result in important changes in terms of vitality, digestion, and mental concentration.
Surya Bhedi vs Chandra Bhedi: What’s the Difference?
Surya Bhedi Pranayama uses the right nostril and Pingala Nadi, which is the solar, masculine, and heating energy. It is a stimulant and expands alertness.
Chandra Bhedi Pranayama, on the contrary, opens the left nostril and Ida Nadi, which is lunar, female, and cooling. It relaxes the nervous system and relaxes.
Surya Bhedi is ideal in the morning or when feeling dull and cold. While the Chandra Bedi can only be preferred in the evenings or when one feels restless and hot.
They both might be applied to achieve the homeostatic state of the body and the mind due to the control of the inner energy processes.
Conclusion
Surya Bhedi Pranayama can indeed be seen as a method of breathing, but it is much more than that, as it can serve to create inner heat, sharp thinking, and also physical energy.
When done right on a regular basis, it will be able to become a tremendously beneficial addition to your wellness and yoga practice.
But as with all yoga processes, it should be taken with care and taking into consideration the special needs of your body.
