Yoga & Breathing Techniques

Kapal = forehead; bhati = shining; pranayama = breathing technique

Here’s a very powerful breathing exercise that not just helps you lose weight but also brings your entire system into a perfect balance. Dr. Sejal Shah, Sri Sri Yoga teacher, explains the importance of Kapal Bhati, “80 percent of the toxins in our body are released through the outgoing breath. Regular practice of Kapal Bhati pranayama detoxifies all the systems in our body. And the obvious sign of a healthy body is a shining forehead.” Kapal Bhati literally translates to ‘the shining forehead’ and this is exactly what happens with regular practice of this pranayama. A forehead that glows not just from outside but also an intellect that becomes sharp and refined.

How to do Skull Shining breathing technique (Kapal Bhati pranayama)

1. Sit comfortably with your spine erect. Place your hands on the knees, palms open to the sky.

   

2. Take a deep breath in.

3. As you exhale, pull your stomach. Pull your navel in back towards the spine. Do as much as you comfortably can. You may keep your right hand on the stomach to feel the abdominal muscles contract. Pull the navel in.

4. As you relax the navel...

What is Yoga Breathing or Pranayama?

‘Prana’ refers to the universal life force and ‘ayama’ means to regulate or lengthen. Prana is the vital energy needed by our physical and subtle layers, without which the body would perish. It is what keeps us alive. Pranayama is the control of prana through the breath. These techniques rely on breathing through the nostrils.

Prana flows through thousands of subtle energy channels called ‘nadis’ and energy centers called ‘chakras’. The quantity and quality of prana and the way it flows through the nadis and chakras determines one’s state of mind. If the Prana level is high and its flow is continuous, smooth and steady, the mind remains calm, positive and enthusiastic. However, due to lack of knowledge and attention to one’s breath, the nadis and chakras in the average person may be partially or fully blocked leading to jerky and broken flow. As a result one experiences increased worries, fear, uncertainty, tensions, conflict and other negative qualities.

The ancient sages of India realized these breathing techniques. Some common pranayamas include Bhastrika, Kapalabhati, and Nadi shodan pranayama. Regular practice increases and enhances the quantity and quality of prana, clears blocked nadis and...

How to practice Bhramari pranayama (bee breath)

1. Sit up straight in a quiet, well ventilated corner with your eyes closed. Keep a gentle smile on your face.

2. Place your index fingers on your ears. There is a cartilage between your cheek and ear. Place your index fingers on the cartilage.

3. Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, gently press the cartilage. You can keep the cartilage pressed or press it in and out with your fingers, while making a loud humming sound like a bee.

4. You can also make a low-pitched sound but it is a good idea to make a high-pitched one...