I included this page to encourage my clients and anyone who is attempting to heal themselves to do practices that help one to connect to the body. Asana practice (physical postures) has many physical and psychological benefits. It reduces stress and has positive effects on all of the systems of the body including the prana that flows through the subtle body. Yoga conditions the body to stay supple and strong so one can sit with ease in meditation.  

There are many types of yoga now available.  Try and find one that includes pranayama (breathing practice), and deep relaxation.   Savasana is the relaxation pose and Yoga Nidra is a deep relaxation practice.   Pranayama helps to calm the mind, balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain and raises spiritual energy to the higher chakras.  A prolonged Savasana or Yoga Nidra practice, integrates all of the energies stimulated during the asana practice.

Pranayama helps to calm and balance the mind and keep it alert. A good daily Pranayama practice is Naadi Suddhi or alternate nostril breathing. Naadi Suddhi is thought to purify the nerves and balance the left and right sides of the brain.

Naddi Suddhi instruction:

Make a fist with the right hand. Release the thumb and last two fingers keeping the index and middle fingers folded. This is known as vishnu mudra.

Take a deep breath, close off the right nostril with the thumb and exhale slowly through the left. Inhale slowly through the left

Close the left nostril with the last two fingers, release the thumb and exhale through the right inhale through the right, close and exhale through the left.

Continue this pattern, inhale, exhale and change nostrils. Do for about 5 minutes.

After you are comfortable with the basic practice and switching of nostrils, allow the exhale to be twice as long as the inhale. For example, inhale to a count of 4 and exhale to a count of 8.