Stress-busting Breath

Do you ever have one of those days when your stress levels begin to climb up toward panic?  What do you do to stop the onslaught?

When I have those days (yes, it even happens to yoginis:-), I do Nadi Shodna.  It slows me down, helps me to concentrate on the present, reminds me to feel what's really happening not just the hype distracting me toward panic. I'm sure there are plenty of physiological changes happening, a whole thesis could be written on it - but in those moments, all I care is that it works.  Five rounds and my world is a better place!

Here's how to do Nadi Shodna:
Set Up
If you are following tradition, fold the first two fingers of your right hand into your palm (Vishnu Mudra) and use your thumb and right finger to manipulate your nostrils.
If you are not following tradition, use any hand/position that works for you.
If you are stuffed up, use your mind rather than your digits to manipulate your breathe.

Do
Exhale all of your breath.
Close your right nostril and inhale through the left.
Close the left, open the right and exhale.
Inhale through the right.
Exhale through the left.
That is one round.
Keep going. Made your breath as gentle and sweet as possible.

Receive
When you have completed your rounds of Nadi Shodna, put your hand down and breathe gently through both side.  Feel, notice, enjoy..