Kapal Bhati

"Kapal" means 'skull' and "bhati" means 'shine' in Sanskrit. This pranayama cleanses the respiratory system, particularly the nasal passages in the skull.

Sequence:

1. Sit comfortably and firmly in Padmasana.
2. Exhale all the air from your lungs.
3. Inhale and exhale deeply 4-5 times.
4. Relax the abdominal muscles.
5. Take a shallow breath.
6. Expel air forcefully through both nostrils.
7. As you breathe out make a hissing sound.
8. Simultaneously, contract the abdominal muscles quickly and vigorously.
9. Release the contraction and take air into the lungs.
10. Contract your abdomen and expel the air out forcefully.
11. Let the abdomen relax once air is drawn in.
12. Repeat several times in quick succession to make a round.
13. At the end of each round, take a slow and deep breath to gain a normal breathing rhythm.
14. You can do three rounds of this pranayama in one sitting, resting in between each round.

Benefits:

• This helps remove all stale air from your lungs.
• Fresh air is supplied to the respiratory system.
• This pranayama increases lung capacity.
• Kapala Bhati is a beneficial breathing technique to provide elasticity to the diaphragm.

ALSO SEE:

• Agnisara
• Anuloma Viloma - Alternate Nostril Breathing
• Bhramari Breathing
• Bhastrika Pranayama - Bellow Breathing
• Dirgha Pranayama — Complete Breath
• Moorcha Pranayama
• Sheetali Breathing
• Sheetkari Breathing
• Surya Bheda Pranayama
• Ujjayi Breathing