Kapalabhati

In Sanskrit, Kapala means ‘skull’ and ‘Bhati’ means ‘to shine’. Thus, Kapalabhati is an exercise the practise of which imparts glow to the skull. It is one of the six purification exercises known to Hatha Yoga. Kapalabhati qualifies as aspirant for Bhastrika Pranayama.

Technique

• Sit in either the Padmasana or the Siddhasana position.
• Place the hands on the knees.
• Lower the eyes.
• Inhale and exhale quickly and forcefully like the bellows of a blacksmith.
• This exercise should be done with full force so that the body perspires.
• In kapalabhati, Kumbhaka is not practised.
• Rechaka plays a significant part of this exercise.
• This is a very potent exercise.
• During the practise of Kapalabhati, the cells, the nerves and the muscles get a violent tremor.
• Start with one exhalation in a second.
• Then gradually increases the speed to get two exhalations in a second.
• In the beginning, complete one cycle of ten exhalations.
• Then gradually increase the cycles.

Advantages

• Kapalabhati clears the skull, the respiratory system and the nasal cavities.
• As Kapalabhati eliminates the cough accumulated in the wind-pipe, asthma is cured.
• This exercise supplies plenty of oxygen to the air-cases (alveoli) in the lungs preventing viruses like the tuberculosis bacilli from doing any damage to them.
• It draws out a large quantity of carbon dioxide from the body and thus purifies blood.
• It tones up the hurt and activates the respiratory system, the circulatory system and the digestive system.