Fire Breathing - Kapalabhati Pranayama Kapalabhati Pranayama, or fire breathing, is one of the activating breathing techniques in yoga. It has a stimulating and purifying effect on mind and body. Fire breathing is used, among other things, to stimulate the metabolism and keep the mind alert and active. Its uplifting and invigorating effect can help relieve exhaustion and fatigue. Kapalabhati Pranayama is easy to perform. It's the ideal breathing exercise for the morning to wake you up and get you ready.
Benefits of Kapalabhati Pranayama
The breathing technique creates a warm feeling in the body and activates the circulation. You'll likely feel more awake after the exercise.
By stimulating the entire metabolism, toxins and waste products are better eliminated.
Fire breathing is also said to promote digestion and detoxify the liver and kidneys. This practice can help with gastrointestinal problems or constipation.
Women, in particular, appreciate fire breathing as a beauty treatment because it stimulates overall blood circulation. This can reduce dark circles under the eyes, making the eyes appear alert and focused.
Important instructions:
Vatakrama Kapalabhati is one of the most powerful breathing techniques in yoga. Therefore, it cannot be practiced by everyone. People suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, or epilepsy should not perform the exercise. This also applies to people who have already suffered a stroke. Fire breathing is also not recommended for those with problems related to excessive stomach acid, such as heartburn or stomach ulcers.
Three types of Kapalabhati
The word Kapalabhati comes from Sanskrit. It is composed of the two words Kapal and Bhati. Kapal translates as skull. It is interesting to note, however, that in Indian yoga, the skull refers not just to the bone, but to the entire head, including the brain. The word Bhati translates as enlightenment or illumination. Kapalabhati can therefore be roughly translated as enlightenment of the head or mind. Pranayama means breathing. In yoga, there are three types of Kapalabhati. Vatakrama Kapalabhati is commonly used as Kapalabhati Pranayama.
Vatakrama Kapalabhati
This is the most widely practiced Kapalabhati breathing exercise. It's a simple technique in which the exhalation is very active, while the inhalation is almost passive. Breathing is reversed from normal breathing, since with normal breathing we inhale actively and exhale passively.
Vyutkrama Kapalabhati
In this yoga exercise, you draw water in through your nose, let it flow into your mouth, and then spit it out.
Sheetkrama Kapalabhati
This exercise is the reverse of Vyutkrama Kapalabhati. The water is first drawn into the mouth, then drawn up into the nose and expelled through the nose.
How to perform fire breathing
You can perform fire breathing in any sitting position, but the yoga position or cross-legged position are recommended. If you're not yet very flexible, you can simply sit on a stool or sturdy chair . Just make sure your spine is straight and upright. Close your eyes and concentrate fully on your breathing. To better feel the effects of the breathing technique, you can place one hand on your stomach. Now breathe in deeply and slowly through both nostrils until your lungs are completely filled with air. Your stomach will bulge slightly.
Now exhale forcefully through your nose. Imagine the air escaping from your entire abdomen. As you exhale, you may feel some pressure in your stomach. As you exhale, make a hissing sound. Imagine the energy flowing out of your nose. Repeat this breathing exercise 20 times in total; the entire process should take about 5 minutes.
After the breathing exercise, sit for a while with your eyes closed to relax a little.
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