Kapalabhati – Bhastrika
Is the air polluted and your lungs not feeling well?
Have chronic coughing and chest wheezing been bothering you?
By practicing the breathing techniques Kapalabhati and Bhastrika, you can bring new life to your lungs.
In Kapalabhati, you perform conscious, active, and forceful exhalations. These repeated exhalations act like a broom, sweeping out carbon dioxide and toxins that have accumulated in the bronchial tubes. As these toxins leave the body, lung capacity increases and space opens for oxygen and prana to flow in.
Kapalabhati is a powerful breathing exercise, so the number of repetitions should be determined by a yoga teacher based on your body type. Those with high blood pressure, chronic headaches, hyperthyroidism, severe asthma, or high irritability should practice it with caution.
In Bhastrika, both inhalation and exhalation are powerful and active. This practice works like a vacuum cleaner, removing carbon dioxide and waste from deep inside the lungs. The repeated contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles increase lung capacity and strengthen the respiratory system.
What else can we do?
At night before sleep, massage your chest, shoulders (front and back around the lungs), and throat with black seed oil or Vicks. Place a piece of cotton over it, wear a snug undershirt, and wrap your neck with a scarf or shawl as if you are gently wrapping yourself up.
Try doing this for 5–6 consecutive nights. This increases the fire element in the lung area, helping to burn, loosen, and clear out thick mucus and toxins trapped in the bronchi.
In the morning, do a steam inhalation with chamomile and rosemary for 10–15 minutes to help the loosened mucus leave your body through sweating and nasal discharge.
For more home remedies and information about lung cleansing, click on the words Lung Cleansing and Air Pollution.
Wishing you health and wellness
Written by Setareh Kiumarsi
Please mention the author’s name, Setareh Kiumarsi, when sharing this article, which has been lovingly written with the hope of health and well-being for all.
