Yoga is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “union.” The goal of yoga is to form a union between yourself and God. Most people think yoga is just stretching and strengthening the body. Actually, that is just one form of yoga technically knows as hatha (Sanskrit for sun and moon) yoga and its main purpose is to prepare the body and the mind for linking with the divine. Other forms of yoga have the names Raja, Bhakti, Tantra and Karma yoga, and all can be valuable.

There is a little-known yogic system called Swara Yoga or “brain breathing.” It requires no special clothes or difficult stretches and can be performed sitting, laying down, or even while standing. And it can change your life!

Modern theory has it that the hemispheres of the brain have different functions. This was known ages ago to the ancient Tantrics. Further, about every 90 minutes the focus of the brain tends to shift from one side to the other. This, too, was anciently known.

Which Side Are You?

You can see for yourself which side you are through the use of your breath. Use a finger to close one nostril and breathe through the other. Now repeat, but reverse the closed sides. On one side your breathing will be clearer—maybe slightly or quite obviously. That is the side that is strongest in you during this cycle.

If the left nostril is more open, it is an indicator that you are at a higher point for the right side of your brain. It carries the Ida or lunar energy and is great for doing such things as artwork, music, gardening, caretaking, service, meditating, and improving friendships. Mystically this is called watery energy. If the right nostril is more open it is an indicator that you are at a higher point for the left side of your brain. It carries the Pingala or solar energy and is ideal for such things as hard logical work, battling, medical work, hatha yoga, hunting, and all things of a fiery nature.

The best time for painting your masterpiece is during the Ida cycle. The best time to take an important true-false test would be during the Pingala cycle. Unfortunately, we can’t always choose the time to do something. Luckily, there is an easy way to rapidly change the cycle. Simply use your thumb to press into your armpit on the side where cycle of the energy currently resides. It will quickly change to the other side, a fact you can check by using the nostril test described above.

Note to teachers: This also explains why students can get fidgety or even unruly after about 90 minutes of work and why it’s good to take a break at that time.

Mastering the Mind

There is another aspect to Swara Yoga (“swara” is Sanskrit for a musical note) that is even more important. Normally, the change over from one energy to the other—Ida to Pingala—lasts about six minutes. It is at this point that you become balanced—left and right, male and female, magnetic and electric, lower self and higher self. When you are aware of this period, you can use it to balance your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual being. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for this period. You can create and extend it, allowing you to find peace, harmony, and unity with the Divine (yoga) as you reduce stress and increase creativity.

Here’s how:

1. Find a comfortable sitting position.
2. Place the tip of the index finger of your right hand just above your nose, between your eyebrows.
3. With the thumb, press against the right nostril, closing it. Inhale through the left nostril.
4. Release the thumb and press against the left nostril with your middle finger. Exhale through the right nostril.
5. Inhale through the right nostril.
6. Release the middle finger and press as before with the thumb. Exhale through the left nostril.

Now simply repeat this process. Practicing swara yoga for ten to twenty minutes daily will leave you happier, more peaceful, and with more strength of will to achieve your goals