Kapalbhati Benefits
Pranayama and Yoga have lots of health benefits. Similarly, Kapalbhati also has a plethora of holistic health benefits.
Previously I used to think that the benefits of doing kapalbhati might be 10 or 15. But recently, I researched by going through some research studies, yoga books, articles and found that the Kapalbhati benefits are numerous.
If I mention all those benefits in this post, you need to read it for days. And for the time being, I have listed some top benefits of Kapalbhati, and here they are.
Following are the Kapalbhati Benefits:
- Balances Kapha Dosha in Body
- Purifies Frontal Brain
- Calms Mind
- Relieves Stress & Anxiety
- Helps with Insomnia
- Improves Blood Circulation
- Enhances Digestion & Metabolism
- Cures Constipation
- Removes Toxins from the Body
- Improves Vitality of organs
- Kapalbhati for Weight Loss
- Kapalbhati Benefits for Skin
- Effectively treats pimples and acne
- Kapalbhati Benefits for Hair
- Strengthens and cure lungs.
- Helps in Nerves Weakness
- Increases Energy Levels
- Increases Sex Stamina & Sperm Count
- Helps in controlling Diabetes
- Improves Immunity Power
- Treats Periods problems in Women
- Cures Problems of Kidneys
- Improves Eyesight
- Purifies the Nadis
- Awakens Kundalini Shakti
Before going towards the benefits of kapalbhati in detail, let first create a correct and informative base of what precisely is Kapalbhati?
First of all, we must understand that Kapalbhati isn’t a Pranayama; it is essentially a Kriya. Kapalbhati is one of the kriya of Shatkarmas or Shatkriyas – Cleansing Techniques.
The Shat-Kriya process helps flush out the toxins or doshas or faults from your body by cleansing you entirely.
So Kapalabhati is not technically pranayama or breathing practice, but rather, it is a cleansing technique.
To know more about Kapalbhati, I had written a full detailed article on Kapalbhati Pranayama. Do read it to learn more about it!
So are you curious to know what are Top Kapalbhati Pranayama Benefits on Body?
Now let’s get into the utmost part of the article!
There are also a lot of benefits of Kapalbhati for health & lifestyle, skin & hair, mind & body. Below are listed some necessary top benefits of doing Kapalbhati daily:
Kapalbhati Benefits
As I had mentioned above, there are immense benefits of Kapalbhati. So now, let’s discuss them in detail to help you stand in good stead when you embark on executing a comprehensive health plan.
1. Balances Kapha Dosha
Kapha dosha is one of the three doshas mentioned in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, the imbalance of these doshas are responsible for different health ailments.
So basically, Kapalbhati is kaphahara in nature. That is, it removes the excess Kapha dosha (excess phlegm) from the body.
As mentioned in yogic literature, Gherand Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, regular practice of kapalbhati dries up all the disorders arising from the excess of Kapha (phlegm or mucus). And it strongly eliminates the dushita kapha and vijatiya tatva from the body.
Thus the regular practice of this kriya help to get rid of various diseases caused by kapha imbalance.
2. Purifies Frontal Brain
In the word kapalbhati, Kapal means forehead, and Bhati means light or splendour, but also ‘perception and knowledge’. So we can say that Kapalbhati means shining of forehead or perception of the forehead.
No doubt why in English, it is referred to as the ‘Frontal Brain Purification‘ technique.
During the practice of Kapalbhati, a substantial amount of Cerebrospinal fluid movement occurs. Thus Kapalbhati increases massaging effect stimulating the brain 3 to 7 times more than regular deep breathing.
After 6 to 12 minutes of practice of kapalbhati, the tiny blood capillaries within the brain are opened up. Therefore the brain cells associated with the pineal and pituitary glands receive significant stimulation.
It is logical to conclude that increased brain irrigation with blood is accompanied by elevated pranic levels.
Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati clearly stated in his commentary on Hatha Yoga Pradipika that kapalbhati has a specific purpose of cleansing the skull region and making it shine with an ample supply of oxygen.
The frontal lobe is the part of the brain that controls critical cognitive skills, such as emotional expression, memory, problem-solving, sexual behaviour and language.
After regular practice of this kriya, the oxygen level in the brain gets increased, which ends up in increased energy level because of that we can see higher performance of the mind, mental focus and improved concentration.
It additionally heightens problem-solving abilities and boosts motivation and productivity. And also, the mind doesn’t get tired simply.
Thus kapalbhati pranayama acts as a mind energiser or stimulant.
3. Calms Mind
Overthinking can lead to mental stress and cause a lot of difficulties. If your mind is energetic, it will be free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance. For this, breathing exercises are the best natural solution.
And among all breathing techniques, Kapalbhati works well for this. So just practice it for 5 to 10 minutes and experience the peace and bliss hidden in you.
While performing kapalbhati, the blood supply to urdhvanga increases, which pushes blood towards the urdhavajatrugata shiras.
As a result, kapalbhati facilitates stimulation to your nerves, energizes your brain, and increases the oxygen level in the brain, which ends up in increased energy level, which helps to de-clutter your mind.
Therefore it will calm your mind and provide you with a sense of balance.
4. Relieves Stress & Anxiety
In this competitive world because of increased work pressure, mental tensions and different immoral lifestyles and habits may lead to mind related diseases like stress and anxiety.
This is absolutely common, and you don’t need any drugs for these. What I suggest is to do Kapalabhati daily.
To effectively combat stress, we need to activate the body’s natural relaxation response.
Thus, to reduce stress, kapalbhati is a beneficial technique because it helps to energize the brain. It also helps activate the body’s natural relaxation response by the flow of positive energy within the body.
5. Helps with Insomnia
Though there might be many reasons for insomnia ( sleeplessness ), most of them are related to the mind. If you are mind is calm and perfect, then you could sleep well.
If it keeps on disturbing you, then you can’t sleep. So for this problem, practise Kapalabhati for 5 to 8 minutes in the evenings. It can seriously cure insomnia as it helps to calm your mind!
In the latest 2019 study, it was observed that after 15 days of regular yoga and breathing technique likes Kapalbhati, the intensity and time duration of sleep were significantly improved.
According to the authors of the study, yogic Intervention significantly improved the psychosomatic health of its practitioners by reducing their insomnia disorders cases and implied that yoga might be an inexpensive and effective complementary approach for boosting mental health
6. Improves Blood Circulation
Low blood circulation can cause many problems like skin allergies, cold hands, loss of hair, dry nails, etc. This may sometimes lead to a severe health condition, and you might need some advanced treatments.
But before it gets worse, take some action. Kapalbhatti Pranayama is one good yoga technique to improve blood circulation.
It improves blood circulation for the body and keeps you healthy. So from today itself, start doing it for 3 to 5 minutes in either early mornings or evenings.
Naturally, the blood flow in the upper part of the body is low compared to that of the lower part.
So while performing kapalbhati, the blood supply to urdhvanga (Upper Body) increases, pushing blood towards the urdhavajatrugata shiras. That is, blood increases in the upper body towards the head from the heart.
As a result, the forceful exhalation in kapalbhati leads to a lot of blood flow towards the heart. Thus, the blood pressure gets slightly increased, which helps in better blood circulation within the body.
7. Enhances Digestion & Metabolism
Kapalbhati significantly stimulates the jatharagni (Digestive fire).
Which remarkably improves the process of digestion. It also enhances digestive tract functioning, which results in better absorption and assimilation of nutrients which is essential for better health.
As blood circulation is also improved, it increases oxygen & nutrition supply to the upper body.
If done regularly, it acts as an antidote for constipation, acidity and heartburn problems caused by improper digestion.
And as a result, absorption & utilization of nutrients increases at the cellular level!
8. Cures Constipation
Though constipation sounds funny, it is one major problem for aged people. Their digestive fire is not so good, and this leads to poor digestion. Constipation is not only a serious problem only in older people but also for kids and few young people.
Most of the time, constipation is caused by improper digestion & an Unhealthy lifestyle. Kapalbhati benefits us by improving the digestive fire, which in turn helps us to get rid of constipation related issues also.
Constipation can lead to various allergies, diarrhoea, bloated abdomen and many other health problems.
Though some medicines cure constipation, they are not suitable for prolonged usage, and they have many side effects.
So for people who are facing constipation problems, Kapalbhati Pranayama is the best natural remedy. Do this for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your ability.
It will benefit you to get rid of this problem. Along with kapalbhati, try to practise Yoga Asanas for 10 to 15 minutes daily to keep you and your gut healthy.
Also, try to include natural fibres in your diets such as Psyllium Husk, Fresh fruits and vegetables.
9. Removes Toxins from the Body
The strong Rechaka (Forceful Exhalation) in the kapalbhati helps create pressure of air, which pushes the unwanted materials & impurities from the breathing tube until they are thrown out of the body.
As kapalbhati stimulates jatharagni, it also stops the further formation of ama (Ama is the toxic product of improperly digested food) & Relieves srotorodha (structural or functional obstruction of the system) and eliminates vijatiya tattvas from the body!
So kapalbhati helps in the proper digestion of food, stops the formation of unwanted toxins in the body, and helps the body get rid of any obstruction in the system.
Also, Kapalbhati reduces the ratio of the outward breath to the inward breath to a minimum of one quarter.
During the process, carbon dioxide is thrown out of the body in large quantities, and the same proportion of oxygen is absorbed into the body. This improves the oxygen level in the blood!
This, in turn, can increase breath management, stretching it to the limit, and dramatically affects the carbon dioxide, chemical, acid and alkalis inside the blood.
This helps the body to keep up good quality healthy blood by simply eliminating the toxins.
10. Improves Vitality of organs
During Kapalbhati, we forcefully exhale air from the body and during this process, we forcefully push the stomach inside.
As we keep pushing and relaxing, the muscles around the abdomen get exercised. And by this, they get strengthened.
This process stimulates abdominal organs and so is extraordinarily helpful to extend the blood circulation of the organs. Kapalbhati provides a light exercise to the organs improves the functioning of various organs of the body, thereby getting rid of stale air.
Because of these, the functioning and performance of organs get exaggerated, which results in a better vitality of organs.
Similarly, Practicing yoga asanas like Bhujangasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Naukasana, etc., can also help to Stimulate Abdominal Organs.
11. Kapalbhati for Weight Loss
Many studies have proved that people who did Kapalabhati daily had reduced their weight. Even famous Yoga gurus like Sri Baba Ramdev Ji, Bharat Thakur and many others recommend this as the best yoga technique for weight loss.
In a 2013 study, it is reported that Kapalbhati has reduced the impact on Body mass index and abdominal skinfold thickness in overweight individuals.
In the study group, waist circumference and hip circumference decreased significantly compared to that of the control group.
In another 2016 study, It was concluded that the short term pranayama has a positive and useful effect on certain cardiovascular risk factors like obesity and weight reduction.
Now don’t be late. If you are one of those people suffering from obesity, try this breathing technique to reduce your body weight.
You may also try other yoga poses like Surya Namaskar, Chaturangadandasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Dhanurasana, etc along with this for better results. Be sure you follow an excellent veg diet too.
12. Kapalbhati Benefits for Skin
Suppose you are using numerous products having harsh chemicals simply to increase the skin glow. Then stop exploitation them immediately. Yess! STOP them.
Then once, try Kapalabhati for that. Not only me, but even great yoga gurus and beauty experts also suggest this to get glowing bright skin.
If you do kapalbhati only for twenty min daily, within 15-20 days, you will see that your skin starts glowing, and it will be the natural glow. Such glow you will not get through you utilize thousands of products on the face.
Regular practice of kapalbhati also helps slow down the ageing process!
Almost all Pranayama yoga techniques are capable of slowing the ageing process. And among them, Kapalbhati can be known as king. Anti-ageing is one of the best kapalbhati benefits.
If you are doing the kapalbhati, the blood circulation of the body will increase because of that skin gets the rich oxygenated blood. You will always appear charming!
13. Effectively treats pimples and acne
Wow, super amazing right? So, Kapalbhati can even cure pimples.
Pimples are nightmares for many young boys and girls. And they spend most of their time searching for the best ways to cure them.
Now you don’t need to search for any beauty products to cure pimples. You can fix them yourself at your home without spending a single dollar on it.
Pimples are caused by many active sebaceous glands and clogged pores by dead skin cells. If you are doing kapalbhati, you will experience that there will be increased blood circulation on the face, and by this, an enormous quantity of blood is pumped up to the face.
As a result, skin on the face gets rejuvenates and clears the impure blood on the face. This helps to clear the clogged pore and also helps to regulate sebaceous gland activities.
By doing kapalbhati for half-hour daily, you’ll simply observe the improvement in the pimples and acne.
14. Kapalbhati Benefits for Hair
Wow, it can prevent hair loss too. You might be a little surprised with this benefit of Kapalbhati, but it’s 100% true. It is one of the best kriyas in yoga for hair growth.
This yoga, pranayama technique increases blood flow to the skull (head part) and makes the roots of the hair strong. If the roots of the hair are strong, you will never experience hair loss.
So if you are aiming for strong long hair and want to solve hair related problems, then practice this breathing exercise daily for few minutes.
Along with this, practise the Balayam Yoga technique for 5 to 10 minutes daily for better results.
15. Strengthens and cure lungs.
In this highly polluted era, 10 out of every 100 people suffer from various kinds of lungs problems. Reasons could be many like smoking, alcohol consumption, dust pollution, body fat – but one should be alert. Weak lungs can be a risk for your life.
And now, after this Corona Virus (CoVid-19) outbreak, it is mandatory to keep our lungs strong!
Kapalbhati has a cleansing effect on the lungs and is a good practice for respiratory disorders, as strong Rechaka (Forceful Exhalation) in the kapalbhati helps to create pressure of air which pushes the unwanted materials & impurities from the breathing tube till they are thrown out of the body.
Also, in a study on Nadi Shodhan Pranayama & Kapalbhati, it was observed that the breathing and ventilation function of the lungs was significantly changed. It not only helps to improve increase lungs capacity but also regulates the breathing pattern and improves lung functioning as well.
16. Helps in Nerves Weakness
Nerves weakness is another common problem seen in many people today. Due to improper food intake, overstress, less sleep and an unhealthy lifestyle, people of almost all ages face this problem.
This further leads to fatigue, low energy levels, headaches, impotency, infertility and many other problems.
And according to many yoga gurus, Kapalabhati pranayam is a perfect breathing exercise for curing nerves weakness problems.
It helps to balances and strengthens the nervous system.
17. Increases Energy Levels
If you are one of those people with low energy levels, then you need this breathing exercise. These days people get tired and weak soon.
They run after many energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, KS and many other for energy. But they are unaware that this simple yoga breathing technique can increase their energy levels by three times that of those artificial energy drinks.
If you always feel lazy along with this, you must always exercise daily and should take a healthy diet that will definitely act as a helping hand to improve your energy levels.
18. Increases Sex Stamina & Sperm Count
Kapalbhati pranayam is also known forincreasing sex moods and sperm count. Many yoga gurus suggest this for infertility and other sexual problems.
Practising kapalbhati daily makes the body parts around the abdomen fit and helps performing well during sexual intercourse. This even calms your mind and increases your mood and libido.
19. Helps in controlling Diabetes
Kapalbhati, along with various yoga asanas, has proven to be excellent in controlling Diabetes.
In a study done on the effect of Kapalbhati Pranayama on the blood sugar level in borderline diabetic patients. It was observed that after regular practice of Kapalbhati for 30 days, the blood sugar level of patients was significantly affected.
Moreover, the study concludes that regular practice of Kapalbhati Pranayama by borderline diabetics can reduce the blood sugar level.
If you are suffering from such problems, then kapalbhati benefits you to keep sugar levels at bay. But along with this exercise regularly plus always take a healthy diet!
20. Improves Immunity Power
The main reason for people getting attacked to various diseases like fever, sinus, cough and other easily is low immunity power. The more immunity power you have, the more you stay healthy.
All you need to do is to practice Kapalbhati pranayama 3 to 4 rounds every day.
Kapalbhati helps to improve the assimilation and absorption of nutrients in the body, which helps maintain the proper vitamin and nutrients levels in the body. And stops the formation of toxins in the body which enhances the elimination of doshas.
This will definitely help you to improve your immunity power drastically!
21. Treats Periods problems in Women
Kapalbhati Pranayama is really a gift to women. This simple breathing yoga exercise works like magic for many diseases commonly seen in women.
Many women suffer from irregular periods problems.
But you know what, practising this pranayama for 10 to 15 days continuously can cure this problem naturally without any cost.
Forceful exhalation in kapalbhati improves the blood circulation in the lower abdomen part, which enhances the oxygen-rich blood circulation in the uterus and it also increases the strength of pelvic muscle.
This can help solve menstruation-related problems to a certain extent, and also it is highly beneficial for PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)!
Yes, this is tried by thousands of women and worked successfully for most of them. Even Swami Baba Ramdev has mentioned this in one of his Hindi speech videos.
So now it’s your turn to give it a try.
22. Cures Problems of Kidneys
Yogasana and pranayama help to cures kidneys. The regular practice of pranayama enhances the power of the kidneys as well as cures kidney problems.
No need for expensive medicines and dialysis.
Research has seen that Kapalbhati pranayama gives outstanding results. It enhances and improves the power of the kidneys. It lowers down the Chemical waste molecule level in the blood of kidney failure patients.
Practising Kapalbhati regularly on an empty stomach each for 15 -30 minutes will improve kidney function.
Also, stones in the Kidneys have joined into one other common disease these days. Taking from older people to young people, it is affecting everyone.
But Kapalbhati benefits to cure stones in kidneys without any cost. This is a proven yoga technique for kidney stones. Yoga masters like Swami Baba Ramdev had treated a lot of people with this problem.
Of course, you also need to follow some good ayurvedic diets to treat it completely.
23. Improves Eyesight
Kapalbhati is highly beneficial to improve eyesight!
As increased oxygen & nutrition supply towards the head enhances the activity of Drishti Nadis (Eye Nerves); as a result, it promotes vision.
24. Purifies the Nadis
Kapalbhati helps to purify our Nadis.
The process of Kapalbhati stimulates the different nadies of the abdomen to improve their function and also increase the efficiency of the brain and nervous system. It also stimulates drishti nadi, as I told you earlier.
This soothes the nerves, helps to still the mind, and balances the body’s subtle energy.
25. Awakens Kundalini Shakti
Last but not least, for Kundalini awakening. Though pranayam has many health and beauty benefits, the primary reason why yogis do pranayama and yoga is for Kundalini awakening.
The forceful exhalation in kapalbhati pushes awaken Kundalini Power, a dormant power residing near the Muladhara Chakra. That means this divine power starts climbing up the Sushumna Nadi.
So with Kapalbhati, you can awaken the Kundalini energy from Muladhara chakra to Sahasrara chakra. And with this, you can get enormous powers and eventually, it can help to reach Samadhi.
This stands top among the kapalbhati benefits.
Well, so now you are with 25 Amazing and Best Kapalbhati benefits for skin, hair and mind. Now I think you have got some good clarity about kapalbhati benefits on our body!
Don’t be late, be the first to experience these benefits & never delay in practising this superb technique and luxuriate a healthy charmful life.
And if you got some other great benefits of Kapalbhati, kindly mention them in the comments section so that I could update them in the post. Also, let us also know what’s your experience down in the comment box.
Also, share the Kapalbhati Pranayama benefits with your dear ones and conjointly help them to combat the various health issues.
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