Kapalbhati Yoga Breathing Exercise for Optimum Health & Healing- Free Online Pranayama Book- Ch 5
Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama for Health & Healing
Yoga Breathing Exercise #5: Kapalbhati Pranayama (Kapal Bhati)
Free Online Video of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama
What Is Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
Of the many wonderful pranayamas that Yoga gives us, Kapalbhati (aka Kapal Bhati) is one of my favorite breathing exercises. It is not at all complicated to do and yet, when done even for a short time consistently, it’s benefits are undeniable. If there was only one pranayama that you elected to do, Kapalbhati might well be the one to pick – it’s that good!
Kapalbhati of course dates back to the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali, but recently its popularity has been revived by the work of Ramdev Swamiji. Kapalbhati is part of Ramdev Swamiji’s set of 6 pranayamas and the practice of this set has spread like wildfire across India as well as the rest of the world. Kapalbhati, in my view, is like the corner stone of this set and many of the absolutely unbelievable benefits that practitioners have been getting from practicing Ramdev Swamiji’s set, I am sure, can be attributed to this powerful breathing exercise.
Below are the details of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama.
Benefits of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
Primary:
- Works on the Heart Center (Anahat Chakra) and associated organs and systems of that region. Thus improving respiration, lung capacity and blood circulation. Kapalbhati helps cure associated diseases of this region (asthma, bronchitis etc).
- Works on the Naval Center (Manipura Chakra) and associated organs and systems of that regions. Thus improving digestion and elimination. Cures diseases and imbalances associated with this region such as indigestion, gas, diabetes, etc.
- Practiced over time, Kapalbhati Pranayama also helps reduce abdominal fat, fight obesity, tone abdominal muscles and bestow core abdominal strength and power.
- From an emotional stand point Kapalbhati Pranayama puges the system of accumulated emotional debris such as anger, hurt, jealousy, hatred etc., thus dissolving the blockages and removing the imbalances such emotional history causes in the energetic pathways. The cleansing of the energetic pathways (nadis) increases the magnitude and flow of prana (life-force) and Kundalini Shakti (energy) throughout all regions of the body.
- From a mental stand point Kapalbhati Pranayama assists in throwing out all negative thoughts from the psyche. thus, helping to cleanse and illuminate the mind.
- From a body stand point Kapalbhati Pranayama should be used to eject any illnesses, diseases, weaknesses from the body thus allowing it grow in health, vitality and vigor.
Secondary:
- Generates heat in the system to help dissolve toxins and waste matter.
- Adds luster and beauty to your face.
Cautions for Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
If you feel dizzy or nauseous you should slow down the force and pace of Kapalbhati pranayama or stop entirely and return to normal breathing.
- If you have acid or heat related gastric issues such as ulcers you should use caution with Kapalbhati Pranayama.
- Kapalbhati is not to be practiced by those suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or epilepsy.
How To Do Beginner’s Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
To practice this breathing exercise sit up in a comfortable position, cross legged is best.
- Elongate your spine upwards, lengthen your neck and subtly bring your chin back and in like a soldier at attention. This will align the spine with the back of your head.
- Close your eyes.
- Have your hands in Gyan Mudra. In Gyan Mudra have your thumb tips and index finger meeting, with the wrists resting gently on the knees and the palms turned slightly upwards.
- Relax your stomach muscles.
- Now expel the air as forcefully as you are comfortable with through the nose. This should cause the abdominal muscles to contract sharply and should draw the abdomen inwards towards the spine (like when you suck in your stomach). Then allow the inhalation to occur completely passively without any additional effort. To repeat, the exhalation is done using conscious sharp force, while the inhalation is just a recoil action bringing the air back into the lungs. All the breathing takes place through the nose. Right after the passive inhalation, exhale again forcefully and continue at a steady rhythm.
- Do a round of 10 repetitions.
- Work your way up to doing 5 rounds, while taking a break between each round.
- Practice Note: Unlike doing Bhastrika Yoga Pranayama you use force during both the inhalation and the exhalation, in Kapalbhati force is only to be used during the exhalation.
How To Do Intermediate Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
Once you feel comfortable with the Beginner’s version of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama, perform the breathing exercise with more force if possible and also increase the number of repetition per round to 50. You may also prefer to do a single round, but, with many more repetitions instead (up to 5 minutes worth)
How To Do Advanced Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
Build up to doing this pranayama for 15 minutes straight or equivalent number of rounds with more repetitions per rounds.
Secret of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama (Kapal Bhati Breathing Exercise):
The secret of the success of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama lies in where your mind is when doing this terrific breathing exercise. If you need to cure your body, then with every exhalation imagine that disease is being purged from your system. If you need to regain emotional balance, then again, with every exhalation visualize the negative emotions or weaknesses being thrown out of your system. If negative thoughts are the issue, let every exhalation expel them from your heart and mind.
The power of the mind has been well documented, you are read about some of it’s incredible capability in this article Mind Power to Manifest Intentions & Desires Instantly, so use your mind to help you accomplish that which you have intended and unleash the full potential of Kapalbhati Yoga Pranayama.
Tarun,
Yes you can :)
But try to keep the back as straight as possible when doing Kapalbhati.
You will find Clever Med\Yoga Tips for Busy People helpful (this is a series with other such tips).
All the best,
Trupti
Can I do kapalbharti while driving, I have long drive everyday on almost non-traffic highway. I can sit with back little 15degree inclined resting on backrest. Will it be harmful if I am not sitting up straight?
Hi anmol sir
i have been doing ur kundalini yoga asanas for weight reduction from one month..i was before 85kg and now i came down to 75.5 kg…thanks alot for ur video
Along with the kundalini yoga i did kapala bathi also..but yesterday my aunty was telling if u do kapala bathi it shows results soon..but once u stop doing that again ur belly increases…ad now am so scared about it aftr hearng that from her
plz tell me is dat true sir..plz reply me
can kapalbhati be done during pregnancy
Sir i have a gallbladder stone so can i do the kapalbhati
please give me a suggestion on my mail .
Vinod,
You can work on your with abs with the Abdominal Yoga Exercises and Yoga Set to Shape Stomach.
All the best,
Trupti
hi Anmol
Nice to see this website anf got to know many thing,kindly guide me to remove my apple shape stomach as it look to bad .
Thanks
Vinod
Jayaprakash,
You should stop doing Kapalbhati and try Shitali Pranayam instead.
Let us know…
Trupti
Vani,
Great to hear you are loving it :-))
Peace,
Trupti
A good step to begin with for weight loss, instead of going on severe workouts,
feels good and relaxed when done,
thanks for your initiative Anmol
Dear Anmol
You did not answer to my question that i posted on July 7, again repeating, hoping that i may get the answer
on July 7th, 2010 at 5:04 am
when i do kapalbati, enormous heat develops in the system. I could feel it in my eyes, stomach. my face become dull , develops wrinkles, feeling weak, heat and gas develops in stomach etc..where i am doing the mistake.? pl. suggest me.Thanx in advance
Hi Kitten,
Yes this normal. I always have a box of tissues when I practice or teach yogic breathing. If it is causing pressure discomfort, just develop your breathing capacity more slowly.
Best,
Anmol
Hello, I am doing your weight loss yoga/breathing/mediation. I would like to know if it is normal for you to blow your nose quiet a bit during breathing exercises as well as having your ears pop when you’re breathing and after when you’re swallowing. I have never practiced breathing yoga before. Is this okay or should I stop?
Hypercet,
The following weight loss sets will help.
If you are new to yoga please read the Yoga Guideines first.
Also, start with the Gentle Weight Loss and once you are comfortable you can move to the more Vigorous Weight Loss set.
Feel free to let us know of any issues or concerns.
All the best,
Trupti
In almost all the Pranayam you have written should not praticed by those suffering from Blood pressure or with caution. So hypertensive people should not do Yoga/Pranayam at all. Now a days when 60% population is supposed to be suffer from BP. Also what do you mean by caution.
i think the digestive system of man plays an important role to be fit, and the yoga is the best exercise to accurate the digestive system of human.
hi, please suggest me some plan, i am overweight of more than 75 kg and my height is less than 5.5 feet.
Zeenom,,
Interesting, but yes follow your inner intuition and give it a try. I have been doing Kapalbhati from the last two years and i seen its effects on health….
Pinky
Dear Sir…this website has immense information. Thankyou. I wud like to seek clarification on 2 things:
1. Can kapalabathi be done by people who has ‘Hot water’ epilepsy and not the general form of epilepsy?
2. Please suggest few asanas that will help in reducing tummy (gained after delivary)
Thankyou for your time.
What is the effect of Kapalbhati on constipation? Can constipation be treated by doing kapalbhati?
Best Regards
Zeenom Ray