KAPALABHATI: Breathing to Purify the Brain | Ramiro Calle
“Breathe and Experience”
I propose this breathing exercise (Pranayama), fully explained and guided by Ramiro Calle, a pioneer of yoga teaching in Spain, who has been teaching meditation and Hatha yoga classes since January 1971, when he founded the Shadak Yoga and Orientalism Center.
The pranayama we are going to perform is called “kapalabhati,” which can be translated as “that which causes brilliance in the head.” It is a special exercise to purify the nasal passages and clear the “nadis” (energy channels) of all impurities. In fact, this breathing is also considered “shatkarma”: the system of body cleansing or purification techniques in yoga. It is advisable to perform a nasal shower with a lota (neti) before performing kapalabhati.
Benefits:
It benefits the respiratory system in general, very effectively oxygenating the lungs.
Purifies the blood and improves the circulatory system.
Balances the metabolism.
Increases the body's resistance.
Tones the abdominal viscera.
Prevents lung conditions and asthma.
Promotes mental concentration.
Practice Instructions: (Always proceed gradually)
➧This pranayama should be performed by completely healthy people. Those who are weak or very old should abstain.
➧ Assume a meditation posture; you can sit on the floor on a cushion or in a chair. Once seated, the most important thing is to keep your spine upright.
➧ After inhaling deeply, exhale vigorously and quickly, expelling the air through your nose in a gust.
➧ The exhalation should be accompanied by a powerful contraction of the abdominal muscles, which will almost automatically trigger the subsequent inhalation.
➧ Repeated inhalations and exhalations should occur, which will cause the abdominal walls to alternately dilate and contract.
➧ The beginner can begin with two rounds of eight to ten exhalations each, and gradually increase the number.
➧ The mind should be focused on the abdomen and the breathing process.
➧ At the first sign of tiredness or discomfort, the exercise should be discontinued.
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“When the necessary practice has been acquired, Kapalabhati allows one to awaken higher levels of consciousness and to introvert the mind very considerably. It activates certain chakras and contributes to the spiritual, psychological, and mental progress of the practitioner.”
(Ramiro Calle)
📖Recommended Reading:
Ramiro Calle. "Yoga and Its Secrets," Madrid, Ed. E.L.A, 2021.
Ramiro Calle. "Breathe," Barcelona, Ed. B, S.A, 2016
Ramiro Calle, "The Ramiro Calle Method," Ed. Booket
Ramiro Calle, "Essential Hatha Yoga," Ed. Kairós
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