Pranayama
Surya Bhedana
Right nostril breath · 5 min
PremiumintermediatePreview — awaiting expert review
Before you begin
- Practise on a light or empty stomach, sitting upright and comfortable.
- Breathe gently; the breath stays smooth and without strain.
- If you feel dizzy, breathless or uneasy, return to natural breathing and rest.
- Skip any holds that feel uncomfortable; the practice works well without them.
- This version has no retention. Classical holds are best learned with a teacher.
- Traditionally avoided in the evening, in hot weather, or when you feel restless or overheated.
Please choose a gentler practice, or ask your teacher first, if you have:
- High blood pressure
- Heart conditions
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Epilepsy
- Hot weather or a feeling of excess heat
- Pregnancy
Not a substitute for medical advice.
Surya Bhedana means piercing the sun. You inhale through the right nostril, associated with the warming solar channel (Pingala nadi), and exhale through the left. It suits cool mornings when you want to feel more awake. This open version uses no breath retention.
What it supports
- Supports a sense of warmth and alertness
- Helps attention feel bright and focused
- Brings a steady rhythm to the morning