Moon breathing is a variation of alternate nostril breathing that focuses solely on the left nostril. It’s a form of pranayama or controlled yogic breathing and involves holding your right nostril shut while breathing in and out through the left.

“Moon breathing might sound a bit out there, but it can be a really useful tool for those struggling with sleep,” says Rosey Davidson, a sleep consultant and founder of Just Chill Baby Sleep. “This practice focuses on consciously slowing down and deepening the breath, which engages our parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and relaxation).”

But what’s it got to do with the moon?

The practice relates to the traditional Indian medicine theory of nadis, the body’s energy channels. The three principle nadis are ida, pingala and sushuma, with ida nadi being the channel located on the lefthand side of the body. This nadi is thought to have a moonlike nature and feminine energy, which is why this form of left nostril breathing has been linked to the moon.

Can TikTok’s moon breathing trend really help you get your best night’s sleep ever?