Kapalbhati pranayama is the perfect yoga breathing technique when you are feeling mentally sluggish. It quickly clears mind-fog and allows you to be alert, yet with an inner calm. It’s also great if you suffer from asthma or any bronchial problems.
Whilst practicing this yogic breathing exercise your inhalation is passive and your exhalation is active. If you practice meditation then this is a great technique as it helps clear the mind. It is often known as the “skull-shining” pranayama as it cleanses the frontal brain, allowing you to experience greater clarity of awareness.
Important note. This should not be performed by those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, vertigo, epilepsy, stroke, hernia or gastric ulcer. If you experience pain or dizziness stop immediately, and continue with less force once you feel better. If it persists then stop.
How To Practice Kapalbhati Pranayama
1. Sit comfortably relaxed with a straight back and neck.
2. Close your eyes and inhale deeply through both nostrils allowing the abdomen to expand.
3. Forcefully contract the abdominal muscles, moving the air out through the nostrils. Don’t strain.
4. At the end of the exhalation allow the inhalation to occur naturally.
5. Repeat the process 10 times.
6. After 10 times inhale and exhale deeply through the nose. This is one complete round.
Practice 3 to 5 rounds of until you are comfortable, and over time you can increase the amount of breaths in each round and the number of rounds performed.