Kapalbhati: How to detoxify your brain with yoga

In the practise of pranayama techniques, Kapalbhati is one of the six cleansing techniques. It is derived from the Sanskrit word kapala meaning ‘skull’’ and bhati meaning ‘light’. The practise of Kapalbhati pranayama consists of short, powerful exhales and passive inhales. It is one of those traditional internal purification practices that tones and cleanses the respiratory system by encouraging the release of toxins and waste matter.
This exercise hence acts as a tonic for the system, refreshing and rejuvenating not just the body but also the mind. 
It has hence become a practise to detoxify the brain.

Kapalbhati is also known to help cleanse the lungs, sinuses, and respiratory system. With regular practice you can strengthen the diaphragm and abdominal muscles increasing the body’s oxygen supply. The increase of oxygen in return stimulates and energizes the brain while preparing it for meditation and work that requires high focus. 

To detoxify the brain with kapalbhati prayanama, follow the six crucial instructions:

1. Before sitting, place a yoga mat, sit on it comfortably with your spine straight.
2. Unlike the regular breath-in and breathe-out, finish the breath with an inhale, completely filling the lungs.
3. To expel the air out of your lungs, contract the lower abdominal muscles as you would when you blow your nose. Let the stomach relax and inhale so that the diaphragm is drawn gently down and air comes back in.
4. Repeat this pumping action as much as you can keeping counts to make it a practise.
5. After the first round, let the breath return to the natural state. Then take another deep inhale and repeat the process two more rounds.
6. You can increase the number of the pumping action with each round as per you seem fit.

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This practice has been known and practised for generations. Not only does kapalbhati prayanama been proven to detoxify the brain and bring a clearer mind, it also helps increase metabolism, reduces anaemia, activate the small intestine, pancreas and a lot more.