Yogis had discovered the nasal cycle around thousands of years ago which is discovered by Medical science recently. It was found out that breathing is not done equally on both nostrils: at one particular time it is easier to breathe through one nostril than the other; i.e. after every three hours, each nostril alternates. It was discovered by scientists that brain function corresponds with the nasal cycle. The left side of the brain controls logical verbal activity while right side controls creative activity; also on the side opposite to less congested nostril, greater electrical activity of the brain was found. The right side of the brain was found to be predominant when there was less obstruction in left nostril and vice versa.

Ancient yogis had discovered that disturbance in nasal cycle were mainly responsible for lot of diseases (or if a person breathe for too long through one nostril) and so the alternative nostril breathing technique was discovered to correct and prevent this condition. This technique establishes the natural nasal cycle again any clears any blockage of the airflow in nostrils. For example asthma is caused due to prolonged breathing through left nostril over a period of time and can be treated by teaching its patients the technique of alternative breathing. Similarly, diabetes is thought to be caused due to breathing through the right nostril mainly.
The Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique is also known as Anuloma Viloma and in this Breathing Technique, inhalation is done through one nostril, breath is retained and then exhaled through the next/other nostril in a ratio of 1:4:2. The left nostril is nadi’s (called Ida) path whereas right nostril is nadi called Pingala’s path. A healthy person will breathe predominantly for about one hour and fifty minutes through Ida nostril and then through the Pingala. As the natural rhythm in breathing is disturbed in many people, it is restored, balanced and equalized back by the Anuloma Viloma.

Steps of Anuloma Viloma (Alternative nostril breathing technique)
Six steps make up one round of Anuloma Viloma and are listed below:

• Close the right nostril with the thumb and inhale through the left, counting up to four.
• Close both nostrils, hold the breath and count up to sixteen
• Close the left nostril with ring and little fingers, exhale through the right counting eight in the process
• Close the left nostril with the ring and little fingers and inhale through the right one, counting up to four
• Close both nostrils, hold the breath and count up to sixteen
• Keep right nostril closed with the thumb, exhale through the left one while counting eight

The Anuloma Viloma exercise produces both sides of the brain to function optimally: optimum logical and verbal ability and optimal creativity both to make both sides of the brain function properly. According to yogis and modern scientists, this is the best technique to calm your mind as well as the nervous system.