Kapalabhati: The Breath of Fire

Kapalabhati also called the breath of fire, is an important Satkarma, a purification in Hatha Yoga. The word kapalabhati is made up of two Sanskrit words: kapala meaning ‘skull’, and bhati meaning ‘shining, illuminating’. The organs in and under the skull, mainly the brain, small brain, and any of the spaces inside the head that are connected to the back of the nose, are influenced in a good manner. One should know how to do Kapalabhati Pranayama in a proper manner. It is intended mainly for cleaning the cranial sinuses but has many other effects including curing anemia, according to the Gheranda Samhita and other sources. Having an important and effective breathing activity of Pranayama, Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System considers that every person should practice kapalabhati for well-being.

Kapalabhati Forms

There are three forms of Kapalabhati:

• Vatakrama kapalabhati, a practice similar to Bhastrika, a technique of Pranayama, except that exhalation is active while inhalation is passive, the opposite of normal breathing.
• Vyutkrama kapalabhati, a practice similar to Jala Neti, it involves sniffing water through the nostrils and letting it flow down into the mouth and then spitting it out.
• Sheetkrama kapalabhati can be considered the reverse of Vyutkrama kapalabhati, in which water is taken through the mouth and then expelled through the nose.

How to sit while performing Kapalabhati?

Since this process is related to breathing, it should be performed sitting in Padmasan. The muscles of the stomach should be moved freely in this process. This freeness cannot be achieved while sitting or sleeping, hence the process can be performed well while sitting in a Dhyana pose. Padmasan is a very suitable asana for the Dhyana pose, hence this process should be performed while sitting in Padmasan. It may be performed by sitting in Swastikasan or Vajrasan, but as compared to Padmasan, these asanas are not so important. The pose of the body during Padmasan is essential here.

Why do the Kapalabhati?

“When you do pranayama, 80% of the toxins in our body are released through the outgoing breath. The regular practice of Kapalabhati detoxifies all the systems in our body.

How to do Kapalabhati step by step?

• Sit comfortably with your spine erect. Place your hands on the knees with palms open to the sky.
• Take a deep breath in.
• As you exhale, pull your stomach. Pull your navel in back towards the spine. Do as much as you comfortably can. You may keep your right hand on the stomach to feel the abdominal muscles contract.
• As you relax the navel and abdomen, the breath flows into your lungs automatically.
• Take 20 such breaths to complete one round of Kapalabhati.
• After completing the round, relax with your eyes closed and observe the sensations in your body.
• Do two more rounds of Kapalabhati.

Tips for Kapalabhati beginners:

• The exhalation in the Skull Shining Breathing technique is active and forceful. So, just throw out your breath.
• Don’t worry about the inhalation. The moment you relax your abdominal muscles, inhalation will happen naturally.
• Keep your awareness on breathing out.
• Practice this technique at home on an empty stomach.

What are the benefits of Kapalabhati?

• Increases the metabolic rate and aids in weight loss
• Clears the nadis (subtle energy channels)
• Stimulates abdominal organs and thus is extremely useful to those with diabetes
• Improves blood circulation and adds radiance to the face
• Improves digestive tract functioning, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients
• Results in a taut and trimmed down belly
• Energizes the nervous system and rejuvenates brain cells
• Calms and uplifts the mind

Duration of Kapalabhati

In a cycle of Kapalabhati, swift Rechakas followed by Poorakas are expected. Both the actions are so swift that the duration cannot be definitely determined. However, after studying the process minutely, it can be said that Pooraka and Rechaka together about half a second is the duration. Approximately three fourth time is required for Rechaka and one fourth for Pooraka. None of the ancient Sanskrit yoga describes how many cycles of Rechaka and Pooraka should be performed in a cycle of Kapalabhati. When the process can be performed neatly, the Pooraka and Rechaka should be performed at least 21 times in a cycle of Kapalabhati. Such three cycles may be performed in one sitting. When this much is achieved, then the repetitions within a cycle can be increased.

What are the physical effects of Kapalabhati?

In the process of Kapalabhati prolonged Pooraka is not expected. Hence, more air is not inhaled into the lungs. Hence, it cannot be said that more oxygen is absorbed which improves blood circulation. Generally, a little more air than is taken in the normal gradual breathing (approximately 500 to 600 CCS) is inhaled and exhaled in Kapalabhati. But more important in the process is the particular movement of the stomach muscles. However, this movement is the soul of the process. Performing Rechaka in this manner does not involve the movement of the cage of the chest. On the other hand, the muscles between the ribs of the cage are kept pulled while performing the complete cycle of Kapalabhati.

In the process, the air is expelled through the nose after a push. Hence, it is not necessary to shut the nostrils as in Ujjayi Pranayama. In fact, they should be wide open. When the air is expelled, it is right to have the nostrils flared up and not contracted.

1. Helps awaken Kundalini

The power of Kundalini is a dormant power residing near the Muladhar Chakra near the lower abdomen. The pushes in the Kapalabhati awaken this power. That means the center of effector nerve fibers over there is affected and this divine power starts climbing up the Sushumna Nadi. Of Course, all this requires detailed discussion and this discussion is beyond the purview of this syllabus.

2. Good control of organs

In this process of Kapalabhati, the carbon dioxide is thrown out of the body in large quantity and similarly, in the same proportion, the oxygen is absorbed into the body. This increases the oxygen in the blood, hence the need for oxygen is lessened and the messages or the encouragement to breathing center is calmed down. The center becomes calm and reduces its instructions to the breathing organs. This facilitates the control of the breathing organs. If there are urgent messages from the main center, then the organs follow those messages and it is not possible to control the movements of the organs. Hence, before studying pranayama, if Kapalabhati is practiced 2/3 times, then pranayama can be studied effectively.

What are the Kapalabhati precautions?

It is said that in a cycle of Kapalabhati, maximum repetitions of Rechaka and Pooraka should be performed. For a common person, 120 repetitions per minute i.e. two per second is an ideal ratio. Sadhakas above the level of a common person can go up to 200 repetitions. It is not advisable to increase the number beyond that.

Patients suffering from heart trouble, lung trouble should practice this under expert guidance. Those suffering from diseases of blood circulation should perform the process very carefully. They should perform the process under the guidance and care of experts.

Reference:

• https://en.dharmapedia.net/wiki/Kapalabhati
• https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/breathing-techniques/skull-shining-breath-kapal-bhati