What is Kapalbhati Pranayama? 

Kapalbhati Pranayama is cleansing pranayama that produces Jathragini (digestive fire) and removes phlegm from the lungs. It is also practised to develop core strengths.

Kapal Bhati is a Sanskrit word made of two words Kapal and Bhati. Kapala means forehead, and Bhati means luminosity, glow, or shine.  

Kapalbhati Pranayam was a medium for illumination and Chakra activation. It is mainly practised to cure lung disorders and heart problems in modern times. 

Hatha Yoga Pradipika defines Kapal Bhati as a cleansing exercise, the primary practice of the six cleansing techniques of Shatkarmas.

Kapalbhati pranayama is correctly demonstrated during yoga teacher training and yoga and meditation retreats. It is always important to practice it with an experienced yoga teacher.

Types of Kapalbhati 

There are three types of Kapalbhati pranayama, and these are:-

1. Vatkarma Kapalbhati (air cleansing);
2. Vyutkarma Kapalbhati (sinus cleansing);
3. Shitkarma Kapalbhati (mucus cleansing).

How do you practice Kapalbhati? 

Kapalbhati pranayam is similar to Bhastrika Pranayama. In Bhastrika, equal pressure is exerted on Rechaka (inhalation) and Pooraka (exhalation), while in Kapal Bhati, vigorous exhalation is given full attention. Kapal bhati Pranayam is done in this sequence: – 

• Sit in Vajrasana (the best pose to practice) or Siddhasana for better results. 
• Keep straight the trunk, neck, and head. 
• Please take a deep breath into the diaphragm; it will contract and expand the core region. 
• Pay attention to throwing out the air by stroking the abdominal area.  
• For spiritual growth, resolve in the mind that all impurities and disorders are eradicated from the body during exhalation. 
• Beginners may start with a smaller number of strokes. For example, it can take 30-40 strokes to create. After regular practice, a person should practice 60 strokes in a minute. 
• At an advanced level, practitioners may practice it for 10-20 minutes in the morning and evening. 

How much is Kapalbhati for beginners?

At the start, Kapalbhati pranayama should be practised with patience. Checking the body’s condition is essential because breathing is a vigorous practice. 

A yoga beginner should start with 10-20 strokes after practising twice daily. It could go with long repetitions between 80-100 strokes after having reasonable control of pranic flow.

Benefits of Kapalbhati Pranayam

Kapal bhati Pranayam is highly beneficial for physical, mental, and spiritual awakening. It is a cleansing exercise of the stomach but has tremendous cognitive growth and attains the highest Yogic practices. The benefits of Kapal Bhati Pranayam are as follows: – 

1. Kapalbhati Pranayama is the best way to cure the digestive tract and produce digestive fire. 

2. It releases phlegm from the lungs, effectively curing sinuses, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory disorders. 

3. Kapal Bhati cures an obstinate disease like constipation within five days. 

4. After practising Kapal Bhati pranayam, the core contracts highly support activating the solar plexus channel. 

5. Kapalbhati pranayama can permanently cure obesity disorder. 

6. It regulates diabetes, activates the Pancreas, and helps lose extra fat from the abdomen. 

7. It helps to cure heart, lung, and brain disorders. 

8. Practising Kapal Bhati pranayam for 30 minutes daily can fully cure diseases like AIDS, vitiligo, infertility, psoriasis, cysts, hepatitis, etc. 

9. Kapal Bhati increases Oja(glow) on the forehead. It also sharpens memory. 

10. It is considered one of the leading practices of activating Kundalini power.  

11. It cleanses all the chakras of the human body and activates all seven. 

12. It restores equilibrium in thoughts and stabilizes the mind, causing all negative thinking to disappear. Thus, one attains the highest level of self-attainment. 

13. Kapal Bhati Pranayam is very effective in cultivating a spiritual lifestyle. It establishes a deep connection with oneself.
14. Kapalbhati pranayama works excellently on Samana prana in our body, which is very effective for curing stomach problems.
15. This pranayama is a cleansing technique in Hatha yoga practices. The main benefit of practising is to keep the digestive tract clean.
16. It works perfectly to improve the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
17. It improves memory and is very effective for the nerves.
18.  Kapalbhati is highly suitable for removing under the eyes and releasing pressure from the looks.

Kapalbhati Pranayama Precautions  

It has magnificent work on a person’s physical and mental well-being. But, even though it has many benefits, it also has a few limitations. There are a few precautions of kapal bhati pranayama: – 

• If someone suffers from a severe heart condition, they should avoid Kapal Bhati pranayam. 
• Kapal Bhati is not advisable for stomach problems like the appendix, hernia, and surgical cases. 
• If you have high blood pressure, you should no longer practice it. 
• If a person has kidney failure, Kapal Bhati should not practice. 
• One should not attempt it quickly in the case of extreme fluids and acid in the bowels.
• In the case of open-heart surgery, one should avoid it. 
• Practising Kapal Bhati under an experienced yoga teacher or trainer is advisable.
• It should be practised in several strokes, which is for the precautions of the abdomen.
• It may aggravate vomiting; please be careful during practice.
• There can also be a possibility of dry mouth. Please practice Shitli pranayama after this.

Alternative Treatments similar to Kapalbhati energy flow

1. Pranic healing;
2. Jin shin Jyutsu;
3. Reiki healing;