Alternate Nostril Breathing Issue

[Epiphany]

This exercise is difficult for me to do, it doesn't feel quite right and I doubt that it is helping. Usually one nostril is totally blocked and I can only effectively breathe in & out of one. The one which is open alternates throughout the day but both are rarely open at the same time for longer than a moment, when they switch.

I asked a doctor about this once and she didn't offer any insight, basically just said it was fine, normal, etc. But that doesn't sit right with me. I feel and breathe better in the short period of time that both are open.

Should I do it anyway? Should I do it for time(breathe in for 4, etc) or should I just go for a total inhale & exhale, regardless of the time it takes? Or should I put emphasis on the blocked side somehow? I don't want to make it even more unbalanced unwittingly.

And does anyone know why this happens? When I tried reading up on it, someone said something about the sushumna drifting. But what can I do about that, if that is the case?

 

[SSinHeartandSoul]

It is normal that one nostril is more active than the other nostril at any given time, But you can make sure that a nostril is never completely blocked.

1. Avoid products that make or thicken plegm/mucus, Think of dairy and sugar. (Its not needed to completely avoid it but lessen the intake of these products)
2. Drink more water, If there is a buildup of plegm/mucus its a sign that your body can't wash away the bacteria etc. that is harmful to ones body.
3. Look up some exercises that can open up your nostrils.

Never force yourself to breath in trough a blocked nostril, This can be very harmful to your body. You need to make sure that your body gets enough oxygen, And that it knows how to handle it. If you start doing a breathing exercise or anything of the sort, Make sure that you give your body time to adapt! Never ever force it if it feels uncomfortable.

There can be other reasons why you have a blocked nostril such as, A virus or hayfever, So keep that in mind.

 

[Xon]

This exercise is difficult for me to do, it doesn't feel quite right and I doubt that it is helping. Usually one nostril is totally blocked and I can only effectively breathe in & out of one. The one which is open alternates throughout the day but both are rarely open at the same time for longer than a moment, when they switch.

I asked a doctor about this once and she didn't offer any insight, basically just said it was fine, normal, etc. But that doesn't sit right with me. I feel and breathe better in the short period of time that both are open.

Should I do it anyway? Should I do it for time(breathe in for 4, etc) or should I just go for a total inhale & exhale, regardless of the time it takes? Or should I put emphasis on the blocked side somehow? I don't want to make it even more unbalanced unwittingly.

And does anyone know why this happens? When I tried reading up on it, someone said something about the sushumna drifting. But what can I do about that, if that is the case?

This means that you need to use another method to balance your Soul.
Generally after practicing Hatha Yoga both nostrils are open, also Aum and Satanama mantras balance the Soul so after vibrating them both nostrils are open. The Twin Snake Meditation has the same effect. Generally also by doing a lot of Void Meditation the Soul will be cleaner and more balanced.
With a more balanced Soul you will always have both nostrils open, and it will be easier to perform this pranayama exercise. Lying down there could still be problems especially if you have slept on one side, the lower nostril tends to be blocked.

https://www.ancient-forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=186455#p186455
https://www.joyofsatan.org/www.angelfire.com/empire/serpentis666/Serpent_Meditation_II.html