KAPALBHATI benefits
- SADHAKA SHANTI YOGA
- Apr 15, 2017
- 2 min read
SADHAKA SHANTI YOGA
Benefits of Kapalbhati
KAPALA means skull BHATI means shining
Sit comfortably on your yoga mat in easy sitting pose, Sukasana. Keep your spine straight and your palms on your knees facing downwards. You can bring one hand to the belly if you are new to this pranayama.
Now exhale through your nose and pull your stomach in towards your spine.
When you loosen your stomach muscles you will automatically breathe in.
Quickly contract your stomach muscles again and exhale. As you contract the stomach muscles quickly, the diaphragm will move up into the thoracic cavity pushing the air out quickly. Your stomach muscles should be doing the work of pushing out and passively pulling in air.
After doing this form of breathing you will initially feel some soreness around the muscles of your stomach and abdomen. This is normal.
Yoga practitioners share the belief of the benefits in this deep breathing and meditation technique. It is ideal for intermediate practitioners, the Kapalbhati pranayama exercise is a standard practice in Yoga Schools worldwide.
Kapalbhati pranayama is a physical breathing technique that is useful for mind detoxification and purification.
In all of the cleansing routines of yoga (Kriyas), kapalbhati can cleanse both the mind and the body using only breath.
As a de-stressing tool, kapalbhati breathing has shown remarkable results.
What are the benefits of Kapalbhati?
Relaxation
Weight loss – a workout for the respiratory system and abdominal muscles improving tone
Strengthens stomach and abdomen
Clears respiratory passages – it minimises risks of infection/allergies through the forceful breaths
Improves flexibility of the diaphragm
The diaphragm becomes more pliable and improves circulation
A stronger and flexible diaphragm reduces risk of hernia
Improves blood circulation
Improves functioning of the entire body
Helps increase lung capacity improving respiratory efficiency as more oxygen available
Increases energy
Increases mental sensitivity
Improves concentration
Heightens senses
Improves digestive system
Awakens Ajna Chakra (third eye)
