Can Pranayama Change Your Vagal Tone?

Don't you love when researchers study something that you already know is true? Ok, maybe you sensed a bit more than a little sarcasm from me. I get it. There is so much value to research confirming gentle and safe interventions like Yoga especially in healthcare which is big business.

I wish as a culture we weren't always so hungry for proof outside of ourselves, and opted to put more stock in validating things inside ourselves. Direct personal experience is valid! But I'll admit, I like to I fully indulge my sweet, inner nerd and gobble up a research paper too. Science backing up our practices can also feel nice. 

Luckily we can have both!

The Eastern Practice
Nadi Shodhana is done with Vishnu mudra. Vishnu is a Hindu God, the great sustainer. It makes sense that alternate nostril breathing takes on this mudra as it is associated with bringing forth balance and purification. 

Start with the mudra
Place the index and middle fingers on the third eye
Close the right nostril with the thumb
Begin to cycle breath in this pattern:

• breath up the left nostril
• close both nostrils and hold
• release the right nostril and exhale
• inhale up the right nostril
• close both nostrils and hold
• release the left nostril and exhale
• Repeat several rounds or up to 5 minutes

The Western Research
What we know from scientific research of this breath in particular is that with regular practice it can improve our Vagal Tone. The Vagus nerve is the champion of the parasympathetic nervous system. When we have healthy vagal tone we are able to reset after stimulus more quickly, coming back to neutral with more ease.  

I speak more on this in the podcast embedded below. 

In this episode of Personal Practice we explore Alternate Nostril Breathin and discuss its affect on parasympathetic tone, also known as vagal tone. This pranayama practice's benefits are well researched and documented. After the practice spend a few moments to soak in the serene sweetness of balance and calm.
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I hope you enjoy this Personal Practice. Please let me know more about your own personal practices by shooting me a message Instagram or leaving a comment on my blog.

XO,
​Julia