Kapal Bhatti / kapalbhati - The power breathing technique

Kapal Bhatti / kapalbhati  (Sanskrit :कपाल भाति ; Kapal = Skull/head ; Bhatti = Shine ) is a breathing/cleansing exercise to clean the nasal passages. It is a power breathing exercise that involves breathing with force. It helps clean all the toxins and phlegm in the nasal passages. Practicing this exercises brings  tejas (Sanskrit : तेजस्;tejas = brilliance) to the face. That is why this technique is called Kapal bhatti.It also helps to overcome depression, stress and all other negativeness.

There are two types of Kapal bhatti.

1) Single Nostril Kapal bhatti

2) Double Nostril Kapal bhatti

Caution :

Not recommended for people with respiratory problems, high blood pressure and cardiac problems.

Procedure (Single Nostril Kapal Bhatti):

1) Sit in Padmasan  (Sanskrit : पद्मसन;Padma=Lotus,Asana=posture ; Lotus Posture)  

2) Exhale forcefully  and empty your lungs.

3) Inhale a little bit (half inhalation or shot inhalation)

4) Close your right nostril with your right thumb

5) Do rapid/forceful exhalation and passive inhalation alternatively using your left nostril. Do it for 54 counts.

6) During the last count (54th count), when you exhale , exhale completely.

7) Take your thumb off the nostril. and hold on with your empty stomach for 6-8 counts. This is called external retention, meaning that you retain the air outside and not allowing it inside your lungs.

8) Do a deep inhalation and a prolonged exhalation through both the nostrils. This completes brisk breathing on left nostril.

9) For the brisk breathing on right nostril, follow step 2 to 8 by closing your left nostril with left thumb.

This completes one cycle of single nostril kapal bhatti. 

Its good to do 3 cycles of single nostril kapal bhatti before performing double nostril kapal bhatti.

Procedure (Double Nostril Kapal Bhatti):

1) Sit in Padmasan  (Sanskrit : पद्मसन;Padma=Lotus,Asana=posture ; Lotus Posture)  

2) Exhale forcefully  and empty your lungs.

3) Inhale a little bit (half inhalation or shot inhalation)

45) Do rapid/forceful exhalation and passive inhalation alternatively using both nostrils. Do it for 108 counts.

6) During the last count (54th count), when you exhale , exhale completely.

7) Hold on with your empty stomach for 8-12 counts. This is called external retention, meaning that you retain the air outside and not allowing it inside your lungs.
8) Do a deep inhalation and a prolonged exhalation through both the nostrils. This completes brisk breathing on both nostrils. 

Do the double nostril kapal bhatti for one time only.

This techniques can be practiced any time. If you can't sit in Vajrasan, it is ok to do the technique by sitting on a chair or in any other comfortable position. Always the spine should be erect when doing this technique. It can also be practice while you are sitting at your workplace or at travel.

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