Kapalbhati Pranayama (Blowing in Firm Pose)

Kapalbhati Pranayama is a cleansing breathing exercise done in a sitting position. In Sanskrit, Kapal means forehead or skull and Bhati means shining. So, Kapalbhati is known as the practice, which leads to the cleansing of your mind through rapid exhalation. It is suggested to be done before any activity especially a yoga session. This exercise is just all about inhaling and exhaling but surprisingly it has tons of benefits. Kapalbhati plays a very important role in keeping your heart healthy, improving your digestive system, reducing unwanted fats and keeping your mind peaceful and free from negative thoughts.

	STEP 1:Kneel and sit on your heels pointing outward. Keep your back straight and rest your hands on your thighs. Relax the muscles in your face in stomach.
	STEP 2: Slowly breathe in. Inhale deeply through your nostrils until your abdominal muscles contract like your stomach is sucked in. Breathe without any additional effort until your lungs are full and then exhale forcefully through your nostrils as well. You can do ten repetitions of this breathing exercise and make sure to take a break between each round especially if you feel a bit lightheaded.

Kapalbhati is without a doubt beneficial to your health but this breathing exercise has restrictions too. Those who have heart ailments, hernia, and asthma or someone experiencing dizziness should stop doing this exercise. It’s advisable to consult your yoga teacher about your health before you do this exercise. Kapalbhati is not your ordinary breathing exercise, so it’s best to learn this under the supervision of a professional.

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