The origin of yoga was long ago in ancient India and has stayed with us since then. It is not only a physical exercise but a way of living. It refreshes our mind, body, and spirit as a whole. Yoga works wonders to reduce your stress and also promotes the complete well-being of a person. There are various types of asanas and pranayamas, but one that outshines the others is the Kapalbhati Yoga or Pranayama.
Let us read on to know more about this particular asana. To begin with, pranayama is a deep breathing exercise that nourishes the brain. There are different benefits of pranayama exercises, and kapalbhati asana is one of them and has many specialties too.
Practicing Kapalbhati is a type of breathing exercise that promotes the whole body’s good health and well-being. Literally, "kapalbhati" means "shining forehead" in Sanskrit, and pranayama means "breathing exercise." The name comes from the belief that this pranayama enhances mental well-being and intellect. In this particular asana, one sits with the spine straight and engages in breathing exercises. Before understanding the benefits of this breathing technique, it's important to know its three variations to enhance your practice of Kapalbhati Pranayama.
In this particular type, you sit cross-legged on the floor and do the breathing exercise. The inhalation technique should follow a passive tone, while the exhalation involves forceful exhalation.
You need to sniff water in through your nostrils, then let it transfer to your mouth and gradually spit it out.
Here, you need to do the exact opposite of the vyutkrama type. That is, you take water in through your mouth and drive it out through your nostrils.
Yoga is a significant change in one's lifestyle, and if you can make it a regular habit, then there's better than this. During kapalbhati yoga, you tend to release 80% of the total toxins that are present in the body through the outgoing breath.
And if you are a dedicated person towards yoga, there are numerous benefits of this breathing technique waiting for you. The regular practicing of this asana will detoxify your full body. As the name states, beyond adding a glow to your skin, this exercise can also lead to a quicker and more developed mind.
This pranayama helps in losing weight by increasing the metabolic rate.
It somehow clears the subtle energy channels.
It stimulates the abdominal organs and hence is very significant to those who suffer from diabetes.
It ensures that the circulation of blood improves and adds glow to the skin.
Improves the digestive system to function properly, absorption and incorporation of nutrients.
Regular practice of this Pranayama can lead to a significant improvement in your abdominal tone, helping your belly look slim and trim
It also recharges the nervous system and refreshes the brain cells in a person.
Finally, it calms and uplifts the state of mind of an individual.
Firstly, sit in a comfortable position with an upright spine. Then, place your hands on your knees with the palms facing towards the sky and take a deep breath.
Secondly, when you exhale, pull your stomach inside and the core muscles of your abdomen and navel, all together towards the spine. Don't force yourself but do it according to your comfort. You might feel a little bit of exertion on your stomach and muscles around it, so you may keep your right hand on your stomach for some added comfort.
Also Read: Best Yoga For Hair Growth And Reduce Hair Fall
Thirdly, you will notice that the breath automatically flows into your lungs when you relax the navel and the abdomen and makes you ready for the continued process. Perform these steps 20 times to finish one round of this pranayama
Lastly, after completing one round of it, relax by closing your eyes and observing the different sensations in your body. Rest and then continue with two more sets.
The kind of exhalation that is involved in this type of yoga is very active and uses a lot of force. Therefore, make sure not to continue it if it causes any kind of pain. Try to throw out your breath with some force to make it really beneficial.
You should not worry about the inhaling process as the moment you relax the abdominal muscles, you will see that you can inhale very naturally.
Be in your senses and act accordingly to ensure proper exhalation.
To achieve proper results, make sure you practice this asana on an empty stomach.
There are certain scenarios in which you are not supposed to do this yoga, as it may cause some kind of adverse effect to that particular person. For instance, a person with an artificial pacemaker or stent is asked not to practice such breathing exercises. It should also be avoided by individuals who suffer from epilepsy, hernia, slipped disc, or have gone through a recent abdominal surgery.
Women who have recently given birth or are menstruating should also avoid this practice due to the continuous pressure on the abdominal area. Individuals with hypertension and heart conditions should only practice this breathing technique under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Also Read: What Is Shalabhasana (Locust Pose), How To Do It And It's Benefits?
The list of the benefits of pranayama is endless. So let’s note down some of them that are really significant:
You'll find astonishing results when you practice this pranayama, as it truly soothes your eyes and reduces dark circles. It also effectively de-stresses the mind and improves your mood.
It is an excellent way of lessening your chances of getting heartburn, acidity, or gas. It improves your lung capacity and thus makes them strong. It is the perfect remedy for asthma and wheezing and terminates the problem of sinusitis.
It also stops hair fall and helps to get rid of the issue of the premature greying of hair.
The best outcome or benefit of pranayama is that it aids in good blood circulation, which promotes hair growth and, in turn, helps to solve the problem of depression and boosts the production of endorphins that makes you feel happy.
It increases the rate of metabolism, removes toxins from the body, thus helping in weight loss.
This particular yoga asana helps lower blood sugar levels, improves the functioning of the kidneys and liver, and makes your bones strong. However, individuals with high blood pressure should consult a healthcare professional before practicing Kapalbhati.
This pranayama is known for its potential to slow aging and address issues like acne and insomnia.
If you are a first-timer to the world of kapalbhati yoga, then slow down right there, and please understand that first, you learn the basic breathing techniques and functions before stepping into the complex ones.
This pranayama is recognized as an advanced breathing practice. Doing it without any prior knowledge or without the guidance of a professional may lead to more harm and drawbacks than providing you with benefits.
If you are a beginner in yoga and want to practice yoga on regular basis but don’t know how to start properly and the correct way to perform yoga asana, the yoga for beginner’s course is the perfect option for you.
You can join the 100 hour yoga teacher training course from one of the best yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. If you are interested in healing and meditation, you can check out the amazing sound healing course in Rishikesh.
