School of Yoga explains kapālabhātī – (kapāla = skull + bhātī = shining)

In kapālabhātī-prāṇāyāma, the inhalation is passive, but the exhalation is active using the abdominal muscles.

Kapālabhātī-prāṇāyāma technique explained in easy steps.

• First, sit comfortably in padmāsana, sukhāsana or vajrāsana. Keep back erect.
• Now, close the mouth. Let the tongue touch the top of the palate to close the circuit of prāṇa flow.
• Next, place hands in chin or chinmaya-mudra.
• Breathing in naturally, let the abdomen relax without effort or exertion.
• At the end of inhalation, push air out vigorously using the abdominal muscles, .
• As a result of the pressured exhalation, there should be a feeling of slight light-headedness.
• Also, one should experience tightening of the anus due to forced exhalation.
• Importantly, repeat 20 to 50 times spread over a maximum of 2 sittings.

What are the benefits of kapālabhātī prāṇāyāma?

• Importantly, this prāṇāyāma strengthens the digestive system and lower respiratory tract. Multiple digestive ailments such as acidity, flatulence, constipation, piles, diabetes and other lung illnesses such as asthma, and emphysema are improved by this exercise.
• Also, the rapid movement of air increases volumetric efficiency of the lungs and heart function. The rapid exhalation through the nose results in phlegm, mucous and other secretions being ejected from the windpipe.
• In fact, this prāṇāyāma is especially useful in managing abdominal illnesses such as diabetes, gastritis, hyper-acidity, kidney and liver ailments etc.
• Due to the rapid intake of the abdominal muscles, abdominal organs move and massage spine creating a shock effect which results in transmission of the shock to the brain. This could result is slight light-headedness.
• Additionally, this energises and stabilizes the central and peripheral nervous system, the sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system, especially the spinal nerves.
• Finally, since the spinal chord is energised, all the main nāḍi get energized also.

Hatha Yoga Pradeepika on kapālabhātī  (Chapter 2, verse 35 to 36)

Kapālabhātī – when inhalation and exhalation are performed rapidly like the bellows of a blacksmith. This is called kapālabhātī which overcomes orders of phlegm.

When one is freed from obesity and phlegm by practicing the 6 acts and subsequently practices prāṇāyāma, the practitioner will achieve success without difficulty.

Points to ponder on kapālabhātī

Internal Links: Dharma (conditioning), Stress and Situational Awareness, Prana, Asana overview 1, Asana Overview 2, Asana Focus or gazing, Hatha Yoga Pradeepika

External Links: Prana, Chakra, Pancha Tattva, Pancha Prana, Pancha Kosha, Nadi, respiration