Yoga Practice Name
Kapalbhati
Yoga Practice Branch
Ashtang Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtang Yoga Category
Niyama, Pranayama
Hatha Yoga Category
Kriya, Pranayama
Steps and Description
- Sit in padmasana or sukhasana(any comfortable pose), with the head and spine straight and the hands resting on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra.
- Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Inhale deeply through both nostrils, expanding the abdomen, and exhale with a forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles. Do not strain.
- The next inhalation takes place by passively allowing the abdominal muscles to expand.
- Inhalation should be a spontaneous or passive recoil, involving no effort.
- At the end, inhale and exhale deeply.
Practice Keynotes
- After the process of kapalbhati, don't rush through the observing process.
Cautions and Limitations
- Those suffering from heart ailments should not attempt retention of breath.
- Under no circumstance should the breath be forced. Never breathe through the mouth.
- Proceed carefully and only under expert guidance. At the slightest sign of discomfort, reduce the duration of inhalation/ exhalation/retention and, if necessary, discontinue the practice.
- Pranayama should never be rushed.
- Person with breathing ailments must consult the suitability of pranayama with their doctor.
Contraindications
- Pregnant women should do this Pranayama under a qualified yoga practitioner and should do very slow.
- Those suffering from high blood pressure don't do this practice.
- Person with breathing ailments must consult the suitability of pranayama with their doctor.
General Benefits
- Kapalbhati purifies ida and pingala nadis, and also removes sensory distractions from the mind.
- It is used to energise the mind for mental work, to remove sleepiness and to prepare the mind for meditation.
- It has a similar cleansing effect on the lungs to bhastrika and is, therefore, a good practice or asthmatics and those suffering from emphysema, bronchitis and tuberculosis.
- After a few months of proper preparation, it can be effective for women to use during childbirth.
- It balances and strengthens the nervous system and tones the digestive organs.
- For spiritual aspirants, this practice arrests thoughts and visions.
Benefits for Disease
Depression
