Imagine an exercise that clears and activates your lungs, activates your cardiovascular activity as if you were jogging, tones your body, and clears your mind. It may be hard to believe, but all this happens while you are just sitting in a position that is comfortable for you. The breathing technique that will be discussed in the article is called Kapalabhati. At the heart of this unique cleansing technique – vigorous contractions of the abdominal muscles and rapid, active exhalations.
How the fiery breath of Kapalabhati affects the body
Powerful exhalations increase the volume of air that enters and exits the lungs, which increases the flow of blood both in the lung tissue and throughout the body. Thus, ideal conditions are created for the emission of gaseous metabolic products.
Because this breathing technique stimulates the excretion of waste products through the lungs, there is less stress on other excretion pathways – skin, kidneys and liver.
If Kapalabhati continues long enough, the cleansing will affect all tissues.
Benefits of the Kapalabhati technique:
- Improves cardiovascular activity. During vigorous practice, when two exhalations per second are taken in 1 minute, the heart rate accelerates. Such a result can be achieved only with participation in vigorous sports competitions. As a result, this breathing technique helps to stabilize blood circulation and eliminate metabolic products, consuming a minimum amount of energy.
- Stimulates the digestive system and increases blood circulation and lymph flow in the abdominal cavity. Since during the fiery breath there is an alternate contraction and release of the abdomen, the effect of this technique is identical to that after the massage. As a result – improved functioning of the digestive and excretory systems.
- Strengthens the press. Due to vigorous contractions of the abdominal muscles, the abdominals are strengthened, and postureand breathing improve.
Kopalabhati Breathing Technique: 3 Fire Breathing Rules
Literally translated, Kapalabhati means "an exercise to illumine the head". This breathing technique helps the body to increase the amount of oxygen consumed.
Rule one: correct body position
The most important factor in performing these exercises is the correct body position. The position must be firm and stable so that the head and neck and spine remain straight. It is important that the chest remains open and the abdominal muscles are relaxed.
Rule Two: Exhale
Exhalation in Kapalabhati should be powerful, short and complete. Begin by inhaling air through your nose and try to establish deep even breathing. At the end of the exhalation, strongly contract the abdominal muscles and quickly expel the air through the nostrils. It is worth using only the muscles that form the front wall of the abdomen. When exhaling, only the stomach should move. Make sure that the exhalation is as full as possible.
How to breathe through your nose – the first thing taught by the science of the breath of the Yogis. This breathing technique is the basis of Pranayama and is able to set in motion the entire respiratory apparatus of the lungs, due to which the greatest benefit is drawn with minimal energy expenditure.
Rule Three: Proper Breathing
When performing this breathing technique, the inhalation should immediately follow the exhalation and is performed by releasing the abdominal muscles. Unlike exhalation, inhalation in Kapalabhati must be passive.
It is important to learn how to quickly relax the abdominal muscles after each exhalation, and also to keep the diaphragm soft throughout the session of fiery breathing. The inhalation is longer than the exhalation, so it takes longer. On average, you need to make from one to one and a half exhalations per second.
Stay healthy and energetic!
Add a comment