Our yoga teacher Annabel practicing Kapalabhati.
Kapalabhati, also known as breath of fire, is a pranayama - a yogic breathing technique that cleanses, detoxifies and invigorates your mind and body. The word kapalabhati is made up of two Sanskrit words: kapāla meaning 'skull', and bhāti meaning 'shining, illuminating'.
A fiery technique, it best done before an asana flow, rather than after. It is also best practiced on an empty stomach, sitting in an upright position such as crossed legged or on the shins.
Our yoga teacher Annabel explains step by step how to practice kapalabhati, which she regularly starts her classes with.
Start by inhaling fully, taking your time and filling up your lungs.
Then, begin by exhaling shortly and sharply through the nose for anywhere from 50 to 120 strokes (exhales). Your focus should mostly be on the exhales, letting your inhales happen naturally. Passively inhale, actively exhale.
When finished the strokes, exhale deeply, then inhale again, completely and hold your breath for a few counts.
Finally, exhale completely and return to the normal rhythm of breath.
Tips: When practicing, think about puffing the belly in and out, sucking the navel towards the spine on the exhale. It can also be beneficial to place a block under your sit bones in order to align your spine, and to place your hands on your lower belly.
Some other benefits include:
An increased amount of prana (energy) moving throughout your body. Notice how your body feels after the practice.. you might feel more energised, as an increased amount of blood will now be circulating throughout the your body.
Kapalabhati also helps to calm the mind. When we are so focused on the ratio, pattern and force of the breath, we have no time to think of anything else. This allows our mind to settle and focus.
If you are looking to practice yoga, South Yarra’s UPG Studio offers intimate, personalised classes to help you get the most out of your practice. Book a class with us here.