Kundalini Yoga Glossary
Chandra Bhedana
Inhaling through the left nostril, exhaling through the right, to purify, refresh and calm the body.
Meaning
What Chandra Bhedana Means
Chandra means moon, and Bhedana, from the root Bidh, means to perforate or go through. In this pranayama, all inhales are taken through the left nostril, and all exhales through the right. The pranic energy of every inhale is channeled through Ida, also called Chandra Nadi, while every exhale passes through Pingala, or Surya Nadi.
In Practice
How It’s Used
Chandra Bhedana purifies and refreshes the body, balancing the parasympathetic nervous system and offering a more receptive kind of energy. It's often recommended for people with high blood pressure, and brings a sense of calmness, sensitivity, empathy and synthesis.
It works as the counterpart to Surya Bhedana, which reverses the pattern, inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left. Together, the two are combined in Nadi Sodhana, alternating a full inhale and exhale between both nostrils in one continuous cycle.
