Surya Bhedi Pranayama

Like bhastrika (bellows breath), surya bhedi strongly activates and expands the pranic body from the navel center. Like nadi shodhanam (alternate nostril breathing), this pranayama equally stimulates the flow of energy in the two master nadis, ida and pingala, which terminate in the left and right nostrils, respectively. A balanced flow in these two energy channels establishes the flow of sushumna nadi, the central energy channel essential to achieving the ultimate goal of yoga: perfect absorption of the mind in the state of samadhi.

Learn More:

Read Sandra Anderson’s companion article, Samana Vayu: The Breath of Balance, for a transformational yoga routine that includes the practice of surya bhedi.

Download and listen to an audio practice about the prana vayus, the five movements of prana (the vital life force energy), that govern different areas of the body and different physical and subtle activities.