Skip to main content

Kapalbhati Pranayam – Steps and Benefits

 Kapalbhati Pranayam – Steps and Benefits


Kapal means forehead. Bhati means shining and Pranayama means control of breath.
Kapalbhati pranayama is a very powerful breathing exercise that not just helps us lose weight but also brings our entire system into a perfect balance.
When we do pranayama 80% of the toxins of our body are released through the outgoing breath. Regular practice of Kapalbhati pranayama detoxifies all the systems our body.
Kapalbhati means shining forehead. This is what happens when we do practice it regularly. Our forehead glows and intellect becomes sharp, refined with regular practice.

How to do Kapalbhati Pranayama


  • Sit comfortably with spine erect in Vajrasana or any comfortable sitting pose. Place hands on the knees (if sitting in sukhasana)or thighs(if sitting in vajrasana).
  • Take a deep breath. Exhale continuously through the nose. As you exhale the stomach goes in. Exhalation should be forceful and active. Inhalation happens automatically. Concentrate on exhaling air out.
  • Take 20 such breaths for beginning.
  • Relax with your eyes closed and observe the sensations in your body.
  • If you are comfortable do 3 rounds of 20 breaths each.
  • This Pranayam should be done on an empty stomach only or 3-4 hours after eating something. Eat after 30 minutes of doing this breathing exercise.

Benefits of Kapalbhati Pranayam

  • Kapalbhati pranayam increases metabolic rate and helps in weight loss.
  • It clears the subtle energy channels or nadis.
  • This pranayam stimulates abdominal organs, so it is extremely useful for those with diabetes.
  • It improves blood circulation and adds glow to the face.
  • It improves digestive tract functioning, absorption and digestion of nutrients.
  • It energizes the nervous system and rejuvenates brain cells.
  • It calms and uplifts the mind.

Who Should Avoid Kapalbhati Pranayam

Avoid practicing this breathing technique, if you have an artificial pacemaker or stent, epilepsy, hernia, backache due to slip disc or have recently undergone abdominal surgery.
Women should not practice Kapalbhati during or shortly after pregnancy. Neither should they do it during menstruation as it involves intense abdominal squeezes.
People with hypertension and heart problems should practice Kapal Bhati under a yoga expert’s guidance. It helps to develop the mind and body but is not a substitute for medicine.
Learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher initially. Later on it can be practiced independently. People who have medical conditions should do yoga after consulting doctor.

Also Read: Bhastrika Pranayama , Benefits of Walking ,Anulom Vilom Pranayam , Brahmari Pranayama , OM Chanting

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

Image Credit :  commons.wikimedia.org In Sankrit Aswagandha means “smell of horse”. A person who will take this herb will gain strength of a horse. It is a shrub with red fruit and yellow flowers. It is original to India, North Africa and the Middle East. It is also called as Withania Sonifera (in Latin), Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry. Let us see Health Benefits of Ashwagandha. Health Benefits of Ashwagandha 1.        Ashwagandha can help reduce physical and mental stress. It can aid to overcome depression. When consumed it can stop high levels of stress hormone named ‘cortisol’. 2.        Ashwagandha fresh leaves were used to heal joint pains, skin sores and reduce swelling. It can be utilized to heal wounds. 3.        Ashwagandha is a natural adaptogen. Hence it can aid relaxation. 4.        Ashwagandha is renowned to improve energy, endurance and stamina. 5.        It promotes growth of nerve cells and protects brain cells from harmful effect of environme

Udana Vayu Mudra – How to do and its Benefits

Udana Vayu Mudra Yoga hand mudras are hand gestures which aim to balance the body elements by guiding the flow of prana (life energy) through the body. According to Yoga and Ayurved principles, the human body is made up of five elements fire, water, space and earth. Udana Vayu is upward moving energy that administers the growth of the body like ability to stand, speak, think or make efforts. It is concentrated in chest area near diaphragm and throat. During practice of hand mudra one or more fingers touch the thumb. This completes a close electric circuit and the energy flows. This balances the elements represented by those fingers. These five elements further constitute the three doshas i.e. vata, kapha and pitta. Hence, yoga hand mudras not only balance the body elements but the doshas as well. How to do Udana Vayu Mudra Touch tip of index finger, middle finger and ring finger to tip of the thumb. The little finger remains straight. This mudra should be done with

Positive Affirmations for Well Being

I expect nothing and accept everything. So I am at peace with myself and the world. I am Powerful Soul. Day by Day I am becoming more and more Peaceful, Loveful and Happy.  Day by Day my self confidence is increasing, growing and expanding. Day by Day my self esteem is increasing, growing and expanding. Day by Day I am becoming more and more happier, happier and happier. Day by Day my will power is increading, growing and expanding. Day by Day I am becoming more and more loving and understanding. I am full of peace, love and happiness within and without. Day by Day I am becoming more and more wiser, wiser, wiser. I live and enjoy the present moment. Past is powerless now. I am becoming free from all comparisons and competition. I compete with myself. Day by Day I am becoming more and more brave, strong and fearless. Day by Day I am becoming better and better in all aspects of life. Day by Day my focus and concentration is increasing, growing and expanding.