"Kapal" means 'skull' and "bhati" means 'shine' in Sanskrit. This
pranayama cleanses the respiratory system, particularly the nasal
passages in the skull.
Sequence:
- Sit comfortably and firmly in Padmasana.
- Exhale all the air from your lungs.
- Inhale and exhale deeply 4-5 times.
- Relax the abdominal muscles.
- Take a shallow breath.
- Expel air forcefully through both nostrils.
- As you breathe out make a hissing sound.
- Simultaneously, contract the abdominal muscles quickly and vigorously.
- Release the contraction and take air into the lungs.
- Contract your abdomen and expel the air out forcefully.
- Let the abdomen relax once air is drawn in.
- Repeat several times in quick succession to make a round.
- At the end of each round, take a slow and deep breath to gain a normal breathing rhythm.
- 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
