The Ancient Wisdom of Body Rhythms

Ancient yogis uncovered a fascinating phenomenon known as the "body rhythm," which alternates brain dominance every 90 minutes. During these cycles, one side of the brain may become more active, affecting our ability to be creative or solve problems.

You may have noticed this pattern in your own life—certain times may feel more conducive to creativity, while others may seem overwhelming for tackling complex tasks. Understanding this rhythm can provide insights into your productivity levels.

Determining Brain Dominance Through Breath

A surprisingly effective method for gauging which side of your brain is more active involves observing your breath. Each nostril corresponds to a different hemisphere, and their openness can indicate which side is currently dominant.

For instance, if your left nostril feels more open, your right brain is likely in charge, enhancing creativity and intuition. Conversely, a more open right nostril suggests that your left brain is more active, favoring analytical thinking.

By tuning into these natural rhythms, you can better align your tasks with your brain's current state, helping you understand why some activities come easily while others feel challenging.

Breathing Technique: Alternate Nostril Breathing

This breathing exercise promotes balance and clarity. To practice:

1. Sit comfortably with a straight back, placing your left hand on your knee.
2. Raise your right hand towards your nose.
3. Exhale completely and close your right nostril with your right thumb.
4. Inhale through your left nostril, then close it with your fingers.
5. Open your right nostril and exhale through it.
6. Inhale through your right nostril, then close it.
7. Finally, open your left nostril and exhale.

This cycle can be repeated for up to five minutes, helping to engage both sides of the brain harmoniously.

Implementing Awareness in Daily Life

Once I realized the varying functions of my brain hemispheres, I structured my workflow accordingly. Understanding that my left brain excels at analysis while my right brain thrives on creativity allowed me to separate tasks effectively.

For example, when writing, I focus solely on creative expression without worrying about technical details like grammar or formatting. After my creative phase, I shift to editing and refining, allowing each brain hemisphere to operate without interference.

This method has significantly boosted my productivity, enabling me to publish multiple blogs daily, compared to struggling to complete just one previously.

"It's not the hours you put in your work that counts; it's the work you put in the hours." — Sam Ewing

Being a writer involves more than just writing; it encompasses various tasks that require different types of thinking. I estimate that only about 30% of my time is devoted to actual writing, while the remaining 70% involves other essential activities.

Finding Your Productivity System

The key to productivity lies in creating a system that suits your unique needs. Experiment with different approaches until you find what feels natural and manageable, even on tough days.

One effective strategy is to group similar tasks together, which helps streamline the workflow and keeps both sides of the brain engaged appropriately.

This simple adjustment to my routine has made a remarkable difference, eliminating the struggle of constantly switching between hemispheres.

A Universal Principle

This concept of alternating brain functions applies universally across various fields and professions. Regardless of your background—be it finance, technology, healthcare, or the arts—everyone benefits from the qualities each brain hemisphere offers.

While the degree of reliance on each side may vary, all professions require some level of creativity, planning, and social interaction.

By recognizing which side of your brain is currently active, you can adapt your approach to tasks, fostering a more compassionate and flexible mindset.

Are you aware of which nostril is more open right now? What does that reveal about your brain's current state?

For a unique breathing technique that combines ancient wisdom with modern science, check out this free online masterclass.

Discovering this knowledge has the potential to enhance your productivity and overall well-being.