Kapawhat?! Kapal-bah tee. It’s a breathing exercise (pranayam) that is literally translated to “glowing” or “shining” skull. Dude, it’s the BEST because it purifies the mind by forcefully ridding all toxins. The breathing itself is a series of forceful exhalations one after the other while never intentionally inhaling. The body will automatically inhale for us – we don’t need to worry about it.
We have all heard of laughter being the best medicine. Kapalbhati works the same way. Think about laughing, “ha-ha-ha.” The whole time it’s exhale-exhale-exhale. During laughter and kapalbhati we are exhaling and ridding the body of toxins, while bringing in a lot of fresh oxygen. Ok lemme tell ya more, it gets better!
Benefits of kapalbhati:
Totally purifying.
Good for weight loss. It’s a cardio work out. 10 minutes of kapalbhati is equal to 1 hour of cardio workout, like running. No kidding! But you have to work up to it just like regular cardio.
Strengthens Respiratory System. Strengthening lungs, lung capacity, purifies nasal passage, and removes blockages in the chest.
Strengthens & stimulates Digestive System. Remember, “We are what we digest” so we need to digest food properly. This will help!
Stimulates Circulatory System. Gets the blood to all parts of the body by opening channels and promoting circulation.
Purges us of all negativity. Mind, body, spirit
Helps to overcome stress, depression and negative emotions.
Gives mental clarity.
Helps bring higher awareness as it removes blockages and focuses our mind on pure and right intention
Ready to try it?! Ok, I have included a video so that you can see how it’s done.
You can also follow instructions below:
1. Do this daily in the morning if you can, before breakfast (2 hours if after meal. You will get a cramp otherwise. Trust me.)
2. Start with a count of 20-30, then rest. See how you feel. This is very individual depending on your cardiovascular condition, so take it easy if you haven’t done exercise in a while. Or if that was a piece of cake, then try for 45 seconds or one minute.
3. Sit with legs crossed in a lotus-like position or if in a chair, both feet on the ground
4. Spine straight, chest open, like a string is going from your butt up through the top of your head and holding you straight
5. Using on the the diaphragm, inhale while ballooning the belly
6. Start! Forcefully exhale, using the diaphragm and count, 1-2-3-4-5 (you will automatically inhale, but focus on the exhale)
7. Take a rest when you are tired and repeat 3x. Even with just 2 minutes of this a day, you will notice the benefits.
If you try this and notice a difference, please share! I know I benefit greatly from it – just mental clarity, less crabbiness, I get a LOT more done during the day, and I take things more in stride. I hope this helps you discover more clarity and brings a nice sheen to your brilliant skull :)
18 responses so far ↓
1 Sonia // Jul 27, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Hi, I learned Kapalbhati in India at Baba Ramdev’s week camp and not only I lost weight (3-4 Lbs. in a week) but also my hypothyroid went down from 100 mcg to 88 mcg. I taught to my daughter with Bronchitis problem and today she is very healthy infact last year she did not took a single dose of medicine .
2 Monica // Jul 27, 2010 at 5:04 pm
AMAZING!!! Thank you SO much for sharing – my readers need to see the proof in the pudding that Ayurveda can really work wonders when it’s practiced. Thank you thank you for sharing!!! xoxo
3 kumar // Dec 28, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Iam seaeching for this for longtime.Thankyou so much for you for introducing such a wonderful pranayama technic in simple language…….
4 Monica // Dec 29, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I’m so glad you found this helpful Kumar! Happy Pranayama-ing :)
5 trupti // Mar 8, 2011 at 4:42 am
This is one pranayam that everyone should try! Thank you Monica B!! Your posts are always a great read. xo
6 priya // Mar 21, 2011 at 12:48 pm
does this really help to reduce flab from stomach and love handles??
7 Monica // Mar 21, 2011 at 12:49 pm
YES! Priya, it does.
8 prachi // Apr 14, 2011 at 8:00 am
just do it…trust me you will love this..
9 Ramji // Jul 12, 2011 at 8:15 am
How do we know kappalabhati has these benefits? How was it determined that 10 minutes is equal to 1 hour of cardio?
10 Amita Goswami // Oct 8, 2011 at 1:04 am
really ,It gives a losng lasting results. I also suggest to everyone to do this pranayam to stay healthy and fit.
11 surya // Oct 26, 2011 at 8:23 am
hi – does it help in reducing only belly fat or fat from other parts of the body as well?
12 Monica // Oct 26, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Hi Surya, it will start around your belly but since the whole body is working it should help other parts too. Remember, the body is a whole. What you do to one part, affects the whole thing :)
13 surya // Oct 30, 2011 at 12:24 am
thanks monica :)
14 shubha // Nov 11, 2011 at 7:50 am
how much weight can lost in a week with 10 mins? i really want to try. please help
15 Monica // Nov 12, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Hi Shubha…well remember in Ayurveda every body is different. Also, this is not a “miracle” cure. Diet, lifestyle management, daily routine, and stress management all have to do with maintaining good health. I would say, start slowly like the instructions say. If you have never done it before and try for 10 minutes, you might pass out. So! Go slowly to work up to 10 minutes and do it daily – it’s awesome!!
16 Padmini // Jan 6, 2012 at 6:55 am
Hello, I amn Padmini. This article was really informative. Thank you for a great website. Especially information about Kapalbhati Pranayaam was what I was looking for.
I am going to start it tomorrow morning onwards.
Just wanted few queries to be answered….
Can You please answer my queries?
1) Is it true that its necessary to do other exercises as well (along with this particular pranyama) for hormones balance which will help you to lose weight faster?
2) What should be duration for doing this Pranyama to effectively lose weight?
Also please tell me the diet to be followed for losing weight while doing kapalbhati ?
3) I completely trust this breathing exercise. Its just that I want to know more about this?
Thank you in advance.
Regards.
Keep up your great work…
17 Subhra // Jan 7, 2012 at 8:32 am
Dear Shubha, I liked your info. Tell me How many Reps should I be Doing of “Kapalbhati”.
I am 31 and 84 Kgs. Wish to Reduce my Belly Desperately. Any other asana that you recomend???
18 jyoti // Jan 24, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Hey monica…i do kapalbhati pranayam and anulom vilom for 20 minutes each first thing in the morning, then 15 minutes 2 hours after lunch and for 10 minutes 2 hours after dinner…is it safe to do kapalbhati more then 20 minutes? or 20 minutes is more then enough everyday? please advise me…also please let me know which are the best pastures for conception for pcos women…i am not able to do head stand, plough pose and shoulder stand…those make me dizzy…looking forward to here from u soon…thanks for your help
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