The following breath technique, called the “Mind –Eye” breath is interestingly known in some remote Tibetan and Sufi sects to prevent hair loss, overcome wrinkles, and improve vision. It apparently does so by stimulating and maintaining the pituitary and thyroid glands in perfect working order.

      Yogis from Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Mid East traditions have an arsenal of breathing techniques to address a myriad of psychological and physical conditions, and deep breathing methods form the cornerstone of their longevity and anti-aging interventions. Most of these are completely unknown to and kept secret from the outside world. It is hardly surprising that they have developed some that would directly or indirectly impact hair loss.

Instructions
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.Seal the right nostril with your right thumb and inhale deeply from the left nostril until the chest fully expands.
Close both nostrils with thumb and forefinger, while bending over from the waist, head lowered, knees slightly bent.
Hold your breath in this position for 20-45 seconds, or as long as comfortable. While in this lowered position, a strong pulsation of blood will be felt in the head, eyes, mouth, tongue, and brain, a flushed feeling from the chest to the top of the head.
Next, slowly straighten up, and exhale from the right nostril. If a little dizziness or lightheadedness is felt during or after this movement, cut back to only 5 or 10 seconds of breath retention with your head lowered.

      Build up to 40 seconds over several weeks. After a few sessions the dizziness will disappear, and you will begin to feel euphoric and energized. This technique will burn up toxins and poisons in the body and purify the bloodstream, imparting a glowing complexion and clear sharp vision. Always remember to inhale through the left nostril and exhale through the right nostril. Perform this breath no more than 3 times a session, 3-4 times a week for its full value. Due to the amount of energy generated, do not perform late in the evening.

      If you are skeptical of the claims presented, we don’t blame you, however it cost nothing to try. Deep breathing and breath retention do have well documented benefits to mind and body. According to the Indian, Tibetan and Taoist view, the nutrition derived from air through breathing is even more vital to health and longevity than that provided by food and water through digestion. Breathing influences the body’s bioelectrical balance just as diet influences its biochemical balance. Chi-Gong and Pranayama, which mean both breathing exercise and energy control have been formal branches of Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian medicine for thousands of years. Different breathing exercises are designed to have different benefits. The one presented here is purportedly renowned for its specific benefit to hair and the prevention of facial aging.

      Conservation and cultivation of sexual energy, particularly for males is another common thread in these yogic systems, particularly in regards to hair retention and longevity. That topic we featured in a prior update, Ancient Chinese Secrets For Hair Loss

      If you’re thinking that we’ve gone off the new age deep end, we can assure you we haven’t. Our emphasis on treating hair loss and recommendations will continue to be evidence based. We are not endorsing this breathing technique as an intervention for hair loss, but thought you might find it interesting and something to experiment with. Don’t be surprised, however, if you happen to occasionally encounter me bending over pinching my nostrils…