As yoga has gained more popularity, techniques like kapalbhati are being performed by people across the world. Though it is an extremely popular and immensely beneficial practice, it is often misinterpreted and erroneously performed by yoga enthusiasts.
Breathing is an important function and it impacts different processes of the body. So, it is of vital significance to follow the right practice of Kapalbhati.
So, through this blog, let us try to understand Kapalbhati more closely.
What is Kapalabhati and its different types?
Kapalbhati is one of the cleansing practices or Shodhana kriyas, which are performed to remove the impurities from the body. It is performed by consciously drawing in the air or water and expelling it. Different yogic texts refer to this practice. As per the Gheranda Samhita, a traditional Hatha yogic text among the Prasthanatraya, there are three different practice methods of Kapalabhati. These are Vatakrama, Vyutkrama & Sitkrama kapalbhati.
Vatakrama: In Vatakrama the air is exhaled vigorously from the left and right nostrils.
Vyutkrama: Both Vyutkrama and Sitkrama employ the use of water. In this specific kind of kapalbhati, water is consumed through the nostrils and spit out through the mouth.
Sitkrama: Sitkrama is exactly the opposite process of Vyutkrama. Here, the water intake is through the mouth and it is expelled through the nostrils.
Significance of the right practice of Kapalbhati
The process of breathing influences every other function of the body including involuntary actions such as heart rate, digestion, and cerebral activity. It is linked with the regulation of one’s emotions and mental state, too. So, a disruption in such an activity negatively affects related processes and results in losing the normal rhythm of the body.
In Kapalabhati, we forcefully expel the air in the lungs and slowly draw in from the external environment; which is exactly opposite to our normal breathing process. Normally, we breathe in actively and breathe out the air in a rather easy manner. As we are intently performing the most vital function of our body in the exact opposite manner, it can significantly influence our nervous system and the balance of the body.
Practice of Kapalabhati
Kapalabhati should be practiced in Padmasana with an erect spine. While practicing Kapalbhati, there shouldn’t be unwanted body movements and the strokes should be in the area below the navel.
This practice has 3 phases. The initial stage involves a gentle stroke of inhalation and exhalation, which results in the systematic movement of abdominal muscles. In the next phase, the emphasis is on continuous expulsion, creating harmony between the abdominal movement and exhalation. The third and final phase is a combination of expulsion of air, abdominal muscle movement, and continuous, rapid, and rhythmic expulsions.
Benefits, Prerequisites, and Contraindications
Before performing Kapalbhati, the aspirant must practice Udiyanabandha and some preliminary practices. These must be followed only under the guidance of an Acharya or experienced teacher.
Kapalabhati may induce behavioural changes and certain difficulties. Restlessness and becoming short-tempered are a few to name. To do away with these, practice Kapalabhati by breathing in and out through the left and right nostrils. This is also known as Chadrabhedana Pranayama.
Individuals suffering from epileptic disorders should avoid doing this practice.Those with heart disorders or associated problems should do Kapalabhati only under the guidance of an Acharya.
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