A Healing Exercise For The Mind And Body – Kapalbhati Breathing And Benefits
Kapalbhati is a breathing technique known to heal the mind and body of many negative conditions and diseases.
When used in conjunction with Neti or Nasya Kapalbhati breathing can help to treat and prevent colds and other sinus, throat and lung conditions.
Kapalbhati increase your consumption of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide in the blood, purifying and cleansing your whole respiratory system.
The practice increases red blood cells and haemoglobin in your blood which in turn increases your heart rate, blood circulation and the concentration of oxygen – stimulating a greater level of whole body activity.
It is an excellent practice for Vata, Pitta and Kapha types but, especially for Kapha Dosha or those who have excess Kapha.
Kapalbhati is also practiced to enhance your nervous system, endocrine system, circulatory system and digestive system.
It balances both your sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system and revitalizes all the cells of your body.
The breathing technique brings a sense of calm, peace and tranquility to those who practice it.
It often leads to a thoughtless state of mind bringing balance and bliss.
How To Practice Kapalbhati Breathing
• Practice this exercise in a seated position keeping your head, neck and trunk in one line.
• Close your eyes and bring your index fingers to your thumbs (Gyan Mudra) with the wrists resting gently on the knees and the palms turned slightly upwards.
• Relax your stomach muscles then 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.
• Repeat these sharp forceful exhalations while allowing the inhalations to just recoil naturally, bringing the air back into the lungs – continue at a steady rhythm.
• Make sure to constantly breathe through the nose and not the mouth.
• Do a set or round of 10 repetitions and then work your way up to 3 or 5 sets/rounds, while taking a break between each one.
Tips and Healing Secrets for Kapalbhati Breathing
Focusing the mind during this exercise can be very helpful. For example if you would like to heal your body, then with every exhalation visualize that your condition or disease is being purged from your system.
If you need to regain emotional or mental balance, then with every exhalation visualize the negative emotions or thoughts being expelled from your heart and mind.
Contraindications (precautions) for Kapalbhati Breathing
• If you become light headed, dizzy or nauseous you should slow down the force or pace of Kapalbhati; or stop entirely and return to normal breathing.
• If you have pain in the abdomen or chest, refrain from Kapalbhati breathing.
• If you suffer from a fever or headache, refrain from Kapalbhati breathing.
• If you have a serious injury of the respiratory tract, refrain from Kapalbhati breathing.
• If you suffer from nose bleeds, refrain from Kapalbhati breathing.
• If you are pregnant or menstruating, refrain from Kapalbhati breathing.
• If you have acid reflux or heat related gastric ulcers you should refrain from Kapalbhati.
• Kapalbhati should not be practiced if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, epilepsy, slip disc or hernias.
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