kapalabhati, why and how,

KAPALA BHATI – A PANACEA

Yoga is an ancient science of perfect living. Most of us have a myth and impaired impression that yoga is about getting into some wonderful (and sometimes funny !!!) postures. Yoga is about perfect, systematic and rhythmic breathing. Each and every limb of Patanjali`s Ashtanga yoga stresses the importance of breathing while entering into any Asanas or releasing that position. Except the first two components of the Ashtanga yoga viz. Yama and Niyama, which explain the virtues that are to be followed in the society and internally, all other limbs viz. Asana, Pranayama, Prathyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi have total and dedicated importance on proper breathing techniques. One of the important breathing techniques that is practiced and is very effective is KAPALA BHATI.

What is Kapala bhati ?
Kapala means Skull and Bhati means lighter. Kapala bhati is a breathing technique that can result in efficient utilization of the cells and neurons inside the skull i.e. the brain.

Why Kapala bhati ?
We need oxygen for a healthy living. This oxygen is used up in the lungs in exchange with the carbon dioxide for purification of the blood. The more oxygen the more supply of pure blood to all the organs, resulting efficient functioning of all organs.

Our lungs have a capacity of 4.5 lakh alveoli and each of this will take part in the gas exchange. But alas, very rarely we use the full capacity. Most of the times we do shallow breathing. Shallow breathing do not use the full capacity of the lungs. When we do shallow breathing the lower part of the lungs, adjoining the diaphragm and the stomach, is never used. The alveoli present in the lower part of the lungs does not take part in the breathing process. The CO2 present in the lower part of the lungs does not get expelled and increases in concentration. Once this happens the CO2 rich blood passes the alveoli and the further rich CO2 present in the alveoli gets diffused into the blood. So the blood being re-circulated through the heart is the impure blood. When this is supplied to organs and tissues they cannot function efficiently thereby causing all kings of illness, stress, fatigue etc. Increased concentration of CO2 in the blood will result in release of adrenaline into blood without any reason. This will cause stress.

Over a prolonged period, if the full capacity of the lungs is not used, the principle “use it or loose it” will apply and the lungs will permanently contract in size thereby decreasing the Total lung capacity. The unused alveoli in the lungs forget their work and lie there like dead cells. Dead cells sometimes multiply unendingly turning cancerous.

Especially with smokers the persistent cough in them results in the necessary mucous being thrown out of the lungs. This results in the alveoli in the lungs loosing the floating nature killing them permanently. Hence the incidence of lung cancer is high in smokers.

How Kapala bhati ?
Forced exhalations of the used air in the lungs. Exhalations are voluntary and inhalations that follow are involuntary. Once the lungs become empty the vacuum nature of the lungs sucks air into the lungs.

Sit in a comfortable position preferably in Vajrasana or Padmasana. Spine must be erect throughout the process. Never bend forward or backward. Take about 10 deep breaths. After this push out the air from the lungs i.e. forced exhalations by drawing in the abdomen inside. This must result in a sound where you feel that the whole of the lungs including the lower part of the lungs is emptied. The emphasis is on the lower part of the lungs, which are usually not used, in the normal breathing.

To start with anyone who does not have a chronic heart or lung disease can try to exhale upto 30-40 times in a minute. This can be increased upto 100-120 times a minute. The exhalations must be really forceful using stomach and the abdomen. We must also visualize that the diaphragm is massaging the stomach muscles, pancreas so that they also function efficiently. After this once again take about 10 deep breaths and sit in the position with normal breathing for some time.

Practice Kapala bhati only once a day with 120 exhalations in one minute or 2-3 bouts of 30-40 exhalations.

Effects of Kapala Bhati.
Immediately after Kapala bhati there will be no urge for breathing for some time as the whole lungs is filled with oxygen rich air, and will be used for some time without need for fresh air. The whole lung is refreshed with all the used air high in CO2 being thrown out of the lungs. The whole lung is ready to accept air. Forcing idle alveoli to accept air inhaled increases the total lung capacity. Face lights up with increased blood supply. Clears mental cobwebs with increased flow of pure blood to brain. Also told to have direct effect on lung cancer. As a last and least benefit, clears nasal passage resulting in both nostrils being used.

SO KAPALA BHATI IS INDEED A PANACEA.
PRACTICE KAPALABHATI AND GET RID OF MANY ILLNESSESSES.