Surya is the Sun and Bhedana meaning stems from the breaking or passing through. This breathing exercise will Soothe and Invigorate the nerves, Increase digestive Power, and Clear the Sinuses!!!

1. Sit in comfortable position: Padmasana, Siddhasana, or Virasana.

2. Keep back erect & rigid, lowering head to trunk. Rest chin in notch between the collar-bones just above the breast-bone. This is known as Jalandhara Bandha.

3. Stretch the left arm out, resting the back of the wrist on top of left knee, placing fingers into Jnana Mudra.

4. Bend right arm at elbow. Bend the index and middle fingers towards the palm, keeping them passive. Bring the ring and little fingers towards the thumb(in front of your center).

5. Place the right thumb on the right side of the nose just below the nasal bone, the ring and little fingers on the left side of the nose just below the nasal bone, just above the curve of the fatty tissue of nostrils above the upper jaw.

6. Press the ring and the little finger to block the left side of the nose completely.

7. With right thumb, press the fatty tissue on right side so as to make the outer edge of the right nostril parallel to the lower edge of the cartilage of the septum.

8. The right thumb is bent at the top joint and the tip of the thumb is placed at a right angle to the septum.

9. Now inhale slowly and deeply, controlling the closing of the nostril with the tipof the thumb near the nail. Fill lungs to the brim.

10. Then block right nostril, both are now blocked.

11. Hold the breath for 5 seconds, while practicing Mula Bandha

12. Keeping the right nostril completely blocked, open the left nostril partially and exhale through it slowly and deeply.

13. During exhalation, regulate the rhythmic flow of air from the left nostril by adjusting pressure with the ring and little fingers, so that the outer edge of the nostril is kept parallel to the septum. The pressure should be exerted from the inner sides of the tips of the fingers(away from the nails).

14. This completes one cycle, continue with more cycles according to capacity of self,
listen to how you are feeling.

~Savasana

Key notations:

*All of the inhalations are from the right nostril, all exhalations are from left nostril.

**Throughout the process, the passage of air is felt at the tips of the fingers and the thumbs and in the nasal membrane where pressure is being applied. Passage of air makes sound similar to air escaping from a cycle tube. Maintaining this sound is important.

***Eyes, temples, brows, and entire forehead should remain passive, showing no sign of strain.

****Mind is absorbed completely in listening to sound of breath, maintaining slow & even rhythm.

*****Each inhalation and exhalation shall last same length of time, not being forced.