Pranayama Practice: Kapalabhati Pranayama (Audio Recording)

Pranayama

Pranayama is the 4th limb of the 8 limbs of yoga. Pranayama is the practice of breathing exercises. According to Ayurveda, prana is the life force of the world. When we practice pranayama, we are expanding the breath or that life force. Prana is also considered the connection between the body and the mind, so when we practice pranayama we are uniting the body and mind. There are many types of pranayama practices in Ayurveda. Some forms of pranayama are lunar energy focused and cooling or calming like Adham Pranayama. While others are solar energy focused and heating or energizing like Kapalabhati Pranayama (pronounced as kah-pah-lah-BAH-tee). which we discuss in this post. Lastly there are pranayama practices that are balancing to both the lunar and solar energies like Nadi Shodana Pranayama.

Kapalabhati Pranayama

In this Ayurveda pranayama audio recording, you will be led through a 12 minute Kapalabhati Pranayama breathing practice. According to Ayurveda, our exhalation is how we releases toxins that have built up in the mind. This means that kapalabhati pranayama helps to cleanse and purify the mind. In fact kapalabhati translates to “skull shining breath” or “that which makes the head shine”. Imagine you just cleaned your bathroom to a perfect gleaming shine that a metaphor for what you are doing for your mind when you practice kapalabhati; you are cleaning and clearing your mind of all the clutter, debris and dirt. Kapalabhati also involves a contraction of the abdominal wall on the exhalation. This works to increase agni or the digestive fire as well as improve digestion.

The breathing practice of Kapalabhati Pranayama or breath of fire is designed to energize the body. This form of pranayama is used traditionally in Ayurveda to wake up a clouded mind and ignite a sluggish digestive fire and metabolism. It is especially beneficial during times of congestion in the sinuses and nasal passages. According to Ayurveda, it is also said to help increase the lung capacity.

The pace of the breath is different for each person. However, with time, people often find their speed increases. How fast or slow you practice kapalabhati is not important. The quality of your practice is the most important. Remember there shouldn’t be any straining or forcing when practicing pranayama. We always want to feel peace and ease when we practice. Now follow along as you are led through the Ayurveda breathing technique of Kapalabhati pranayama or breath of fire.

Music by Fried Coffee.