Kapalabhati-Pranayama as a Kriya (Yoga Cleanse)
Kapalabhati is a highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise that acts as a kriya or a yoga cleanse. The vigorous exhalations act in many ways to yield benefits beyond the energetic qualities of this advanced yoga breathing exercise (pranayama).
One important way that Kapalabhati acts as a kriya is that it helps clear mucous from the lungs. As air moves into the throat, it travels down the superior portion of the airway called the trachea. The walls of this single tubed airway consists of several layers. The inner most layer is lined with cilia cells. Cilia are microscopic grass-like, projections that continually beat and propel mucous that trap dust particles, bacteria and debris. This mucous is propelled by the cilia toward the pharynx where it is released by coughing or swallowing. Smoking inhibits and ultimately destroys cilia. When function is lost, coughing is the only method of moving accumulating mucous out of the lungs. With the aid of cilia, we clear and swallow over 2 million dust cells per hour.
In Kapalabhati, the force of the exhalations acts further on debris-filled mucous in the lungs and trachea. These additional forces work with the cilia and help move the mucous more readily up the airway against gravity. Coughing after Kapalabhati is common and welcome as it is a sign of successfully releasing these impurities.
Another method of Kapalabhati acting as a kriya is the massage generated by the abdominal contractions. With each vigorous exhale, the abdominal walls draw inwards applying pressure on internal organs. This pressure helps increase the circulation of blood flow into and out of abdominal organs. This massage also sends a direct pressure into the digestive system helping move remaining food and fecal matter through the intestines and colon. Kapalabhati can be a useful tool in reducing the incidence of constipation. With this increased circulation of blood and material in the internal organs comes a release of toxins as well.
You can read more about Kapalabhati in our Introduction to Pranayama section.
Kapalbhati is an advanced breathing exercise and should not be practiced by those
a) Suffering from heart disease
b) High blood pressure
c) Hernia
d) Should never be practiced when an asthmatic attack is in progress.
e) If pain or dizziness is experienced.
As one’s hatha yoga practice progresses, the next natural stage is to incorporate Kapalabhati and other pranayama. This addition of yoga breathing exercises will stimulate greater flows of energy along with the wonderful benefits of kriyas.
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Hi John, We highly recommend that you consult a health care professional regarding your hernia and doing kapalabhati. Depending on the extent of your hernia, kapalabhati could be contraindicated and generate further problems (even if you are not experiencing discomfort).
You may find, temporarily, cat pose and mild inversions beneficial for the cleansing effects (of the lungs and organs) offered by kapalabhati.
Namaste,
Kreg Weiss
My Yoga Online
question: i have a hiatal hernia. can i still do kapalabhati?
i have been doing it for three weeks now, two rounds, thirty times, 2x per day and like it.
it is helping with my digestion and acid reflux
and my depression
Hi Tom, Finding a qualified pranayama may take time, but I would start be looking at local yoga studios - doing a google search for yoga studios in your region may produce some results. Cheers, Kreg My Yoga Online
@Kreg Weiss
Hello Kreg,
About a month ago I ordered and received a pranayama DVD by Swami Ramdev who is a big yoga teacher in India. I love it and have alread seen a lot of great results even after only one month of practice with the pranayama DVD. It’s about an hour long practice with 45 minutes of pranayama followed by a short easy yoga practice. My main interest in learning pranayama is that I’ve read that it is a great tool to reduce anxiety which has hindered me for most of my life. I’ve made I my mission to cure or reduce my anxiety level and want to do it naturally without Western drugs which have negative side affects. I feel that following the pranayama DVD for only one month has already helped lower my anxiety level to where I feel incredible. Swami Ramdev says in his DVD that pranayama will turn us into a new person which I agree with. During the 15 minute Kapalabhati practice he does say that if Kapalabhati is done daily for 15 minutes you will lose between 250 to 1,000 grams per day. Though I’m happy with my weight I did find this claim to be rather unusal. He also made many statements during the DVD about pranayama curing diabetes, heart trouble,thyroid issues, even cancer and Parkinsons and pranayama will bring your body and mind into a state where it will heal itself as God or the Universe had intended it to. I do beleive that if healthy your body is meant to heal itself. I’m realistic and am not going to put all of my faith into Swami Ramdev. I’m new to pranayama and have vowed to be diligent in my daily pranayama practice and to continue to learn as much as I can about pranayama. I’m very happy with the results I’ve seen from the short time I’ve been practicing pranayama. I’m searching for a pranayama teacher in the Ft. Lauderdale / Miami area of Florida. I realize that a live teacher is going to be greater than learning from a DVD; however I feel the DVD is better than nothing at all. Any suggestions on how to find a pranayama teacher or do you know of one in my area.
Namaste,
Tom
Hi Harsha,
Kapalabhati is definitely contraindicated for those with High blood pressure and a history of stroke. Anyone with these conditions should avoid vigorous pranayama or at the very least consult a health professional before attempting. I also recommend that these persons should start pranayama programs with the direct guidance of a qualified teacher.
Namaste,
Kreg
My Yoga Online
Hi Latika,
In order to reduce fat (any fat) on the body, one needs to increase caloric output and decrease calorie input so one has a net output of calories. Spot reduction exercises do not work - for example, you can do an extensive abdominal conditioning program with situps and core work - your abdominals may become highly developed and toned, but can still be covered by fat tissue.
Only way to reduce body fat is to burn it off with exercise and most effective exercises are prolonged cardiovascular exercises.
Breathing exercises and yoga do expend calories but at a lower level than cardiovascular activities. Consider doing kapalabhati as a cleanse for the lungs and a flushing of energy through the body - doing it for fat reduction is not a functional and effective purpose.
Regards,
Kreg
My Yoga Online
Will it help me in reducing my abdomen fat, i have been doing it since a week, twice a day and 15 mins each time, please need suggestion
Hi
Is Kapalbhati contraindicated in a person with High Blood Pressure and a history of stroke?
hi surya,
i am not familiar with seeing any specific mention of direct benefits of kapalabhati and eczema. i have friends and family members who have eczema and one of factor that often greatly increases the onset of eczema is stress. knowing that yoga, pranayama (including kapalabhati), and meditation have powerful stress-relieving qualities, i imagine that these stress reducing benefits could indirectly help eczema. another consideration is yoga and pranayama greatly improve circulation, boost immunity and strength body health which, again, would likely help in managing eczema more readily.
thanks for your question,
kreg weiss
my yoga online
Hi
Does Kapal bhati has any benificial effects to cure Eczema?
If so please tell the duration that one has to do each day and for how long one has to do to see any benifits?
Thnx in advance
Kapalabhati creates a large motion throughout the abdominal region through the utilization of the abdominal muscles to generate vigorous expulsions of air from the lungs.
Therefore, anyone who has had abdominal surgery should not perform Kapalabhati and should consult their physician even after full recovery to receive clearance to engage in vigorous pranayama.
Hi Colleen,
Just a note about your comment about smokers and pranayama. Someone who smokes or has a history of smoking should consult a physician before doing vigorous pranayama like Kapalabhati. One should insure that no underlying respiratory conditions due to smoking are present.
Vigorous pranayama can be contraindicated if respiratory conditions exist. Once clearance is provided, pranayama can be a great tool for restoring the lungs back to health and function.
Namaste,
Kreg Weiss
My Yoga Online
I can see where this type of breathing would be great for smokers and former smokers to clear the lungs! I have been looking for a way to clear mucus and this seems to be an excellent answer.
Hi YogaStudent,
Thank you for your inquiry. Kapalabhati generates a large, vigorous massaging motion in the internal organs. If one has had recent surgury in the abdominal region, Kapalabhati could cause complications like inflammation or damage to stitchings.
Therefore, anyone who has had past or recent abdominal surgery should seek medical consultation before doing Kapalabhati and other vigorous Pranayama (breathing exercises). This is also recommended for your relative who has an implant in her stomach.
There are many less vigorous pranayama that people can do if vigorous pranayama are no suitable. Through medical consultation and proper guidance, an ideal pranayama practice can be designed.
Namaste,
Kreg
My Yoga Online
Its told that people undergone a surgery in the heart or stomach are not supposed to practise kapalabathi for 6 months after surgery.
Will practising kapalabathi cause any serious effects when done by a person who has undergone a medical procedure in his/ her stomach even after that 6 months prescribed?
One of my relatives have a mesh sort of device implanted in her stomach through surgery because of ovarian tumours.
Is it safe for her to practise kapalabathi?
Also can kapalabathi be practised by women having intera uterine devices?
the heart is the ajna chakra, not the heart in the chest.
The word “God” may be a remnant of a time when words were invented to represent principles understood and practiced for furthering a consciousness of higher planes. Thinking of the movement of the tongue, we can see the word “GOD” as a form of Kechari mudra. When we drink water, we say this word. In the mthods of the old masters, mudras are practiced forwards and backwards, and the term has as much potency whether we say GOD or DOG, and the same is true of the Soma mudra or Kechari. Kechari is called the Akasha mudra and encompasses in its scope both the Bhurloka and the Akashloka, or the scope or gamut of physical to spirit. When we say the word “GOD”, we are practicing Kechari mudra to a small degree. The Siddha say all can be accomplished with Kechari kriya alone. One of the results of this mudra or awareness is perfect stillness or silence (Maun). Even an instant of perfect stillness delivers great rest. Kechari is a way to penetrate AUM. Aum is a special state of I AM, in which we no longer see “good and evil” but only good. The “stranger” or “enemy” is seen as SELF, and so the dichotomy of “other” is transmuted. Kechari has been attributed with the power to deliver us from the dichotomy of “inner” versus “outer” space illusion. The “inner/outer” dichotomy is attributed with being the source of envy, hatred, ambition and greeds. If one breaks down the effects of saying the word, the back of the tongue touches the back of the throat, and the connexion is to the spine at the place of the 5th chakra. In moving forward the tongue floats in “space” or void, and then terminates in the front of the mouth and the “dha” moves the prana into the frontal lobes of the brain. This makes the brain a fountain of movement of prana out of the body. In old terms, this means that prana is released from the “heart”. Also in old terms, the heart is the ajna chakra, not the heart in the chest. But the energy is reflected back into the chest because of the shock of the termination of breath. It is not necessary to say it aloud, for the mere memory of speaking also charges the nerves that lead along the vagus and must pass the heart to do so. In this way, the entire scope of nerves from the neck to the top of the head to the nerves that serve the entire surface of the body are energized. Thus by Kechair mudra or the word “God” turns the body into a kind of sun. In Chandogya, this was called the rite of Udghita. Soma then flows from the top of the brain, into the pineal-pituitary plexus and saliva flows from the nasal glands. Thus stem cells are stimulated and the body begins to glow like a “pregnant” woman. The Siddha call this the acquiring of a consciousness of childhood. However, if concepts and ideas are polluting the word “GOD”, then we bring forth these limitations instead. Therefore it is important to cultivate a perfect silence or “simplicity” in practicing kechari. Silence is perfect obedience and acceptance of the abundance of good that is in Kechari mudra or the word “GOD”.