Kapalbhati Pranayama

Kapalbhati is a Sanskrit word; Kapal means skull (include all the organs under the skull), and Bhati means to shine, lighting, or illumination.

You know, statin has side effect of memory loss in many. Thus, Kapalbhati pranayama is not only useful in lowering cholesterol level; additionally, it is useful to help recover from statins side effect.

How to do Kapalbhati Pranayama? Step by Step Procedure

This pranayama breathing technique has active exhalation and passive inhalation. During breath in, the stomach drops and raise while breath-out.

This pranayama should always practice in an empty stomach (at least 3 hours after food), preferably done early morning before putting anything in the mouth.

1. Sit on the Padmasana, Vajrasana, support your back on the wall or sit in a chair. Close your eyes, sit comfortably with an erect spine. Place your hands on your knees, palms open to the sky.
2. Breathe in normally deeply through both nostrils until your lungs are full.
3. Forcefully breathe out through both nostrils with a hissing sound and pull in your stomach back towards the spine. At the same time, imagine your disorders removed through the nose.
4. Relax the abdomen; the breath fills the lungs automatically.
5. Do 20 such cycles to complete one round of Kapal Bhati pranayama.
6. Relax by closing your eyes and feel your body sensations.

Do two rounds of these 20 cycles of Kapal Bhati pranayama. It is advisable to practice this pranayama before long meditation; this help provides improved concentration and oneness within.

After this pranayama, you should practice subtle pranayama such as Alternative Nostril Breathing (Anuloma Viloma).

9 Medicinal Uses of Kapalbhati Pranayama

The stomach movement during breathing is beneficial to organs beneath the stomach by increased blood circulation.

1. This pranayama generates heat and dissolves toxins & waste products.
2. It improves digestion and functions of kidneys & liver. It can cure almost all intestinal problems such as acidity, intestinal gas.
3. Useful for obesity, specifically central obesity by burning belly fats.
4. This forceful breathing technic strengthens lungs and increases its capacity.
5. It removes stress and helps regain calmness.
6. It activates your brain and improves memory & concentration. It improves your focus and eliminates forgetfulness.
7. Some yoga masters hope this pranayama help remove a blockage in the heart and lungs.
8. It improves the blood circulation.
9. It removes toxins, digestion improves, and thus add luster to your body.

6 Caution

1. People with acidity or heat related gastric problems such as ulcer and heartburn should practice cautiously.
2. People with uncontrolled hypertension, migraine, or risk towards heart attack/stroke should not practice this pranayama until your condition is in control. Also, should practice under yoga master’s guidelines.
3. After this pranayama, you should practice subtle pranayama such as Alternative Nostril Breathing (Anuloma Viloma).
4. People on pacemaker or stents should avoid doing this pranayama.
5. People recently underwent an abdominal surgery or suffering from a hernia should not practice this pranayama.
6. Women should not practice this pranayama during menstruation, pregnancy and shortly afterward.