Kapalabhati is an energising and invigorating breathing technique.
Translated kapal means ‘cranium’ and bhati means ‘light’, when practiced it brings a state of light or clarity to the frontal region of the brain. The fast movement of this practice invigorates and energise the body and massages the brain. The swishing of the cerebrospinal fluid increases mental alertness and concentration.
When practiced, it actively reduces the volume of air in the lungs through a forced exhalation. The inhalation remains a passive process which brings the level of air in the lungs back to basic volume. This way the breathing pattern is reversed from our normal breathing which involves active inhalation and passive exhalation.
The lungs are oxygenated as accumulated carbon dioxide is forced out with the action of the abdomen snapping in and moving the diaphragm upward.
It has a cleansing effect on the sinus’s and lungs, tones the digestive organs through abdominal action and builds a heating effect (agni).
Technique:
1. Sit in a comfortable upright position where the spine is straight, crown and tailbone on the same paradigm and the lungs and belly are unrestricted
2. Inhale into your belly relaxing it out then exhale by snapping the belly in using the lower abdominal muscles (transversus abdominus).
3. The inhalation is passive; just allow your belly to drop out which creates a vacuum effect, drawing air back into the lungs for the next exhale.
4. Keep your mouth closed and only breathe through your nose.
5. Your chest and shoulders should remain relaxed as all the action is generated from your transversus abdominus.
6. The pace builds as you isolate the movement; begin with 1 exhale per second building up to 2 per second.
7. It is important that the rapid breathing used be from the abdomen and not the chest
8. Conclude with full yogic breath
Beginners = 3 rounds of 10 breaths
Advanced = 3-5 rounds of 20 breaths at 2 breaths per second
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