Kapalabhati: Cleansing Breath

Kapalabhati is considered a kriya (cleansing breath) which cleanses the frontal brain. In Sanskrit, Kapala means "skull" and bhati means "shine". Thus, Kapalabhati, helps to improve the functions of the organs located in the skull.

Practice

1. Sit straight in any meditative pose.
2. Take a deep breath.
3. Exhale forcefully in such a way that the lower abdomen is contracted to expel out the air.
4. Inhale spontaneously and passively without making any efforts.
5. Air will enter the body through this passive inhalation. This is one practice set of Kapalabhati. Begin with 10 sets at a time. This completes one round.
6. One can practice one to three rounds in one practical session.

Precaution

1. Do not move the chest or shoulders during exhalation.
2. Do not make any effort while inhaling.

Benefits

1. It stimulates the nerves in the abdominal region, tones up the abdominal muscles and improves digestion.
2. Kapalabhati helps expel more carbon-dioxide and other waste gases from the lungs than the normal breathing.
3. It improves heart and lungs capacity and therefore good for bronchial asthma.
4. It improves blood circulation of the whole body.
5. It energises the body and removes lethargy.