Kapalbatti and Anulom Vilom

Kapalbatti- Kapal in Sanskrit means the skull and batti is Diya or lamp. Doing kapalbatti gives you shining skull/glow on your face. As the removal of carbon-dioxide from the body is initiated, so it leads to blood purification also. This makes your skin healthy and beautiful. You can sit in either Sukhasana or Padmasana. Hands in Chinh mudra (index finger and thumbs touching each other) and breathe powerfully. Exhale and contract your naval in. Pump the abdominal muscles forcefully.

Anulom Vilom/ Opposite nasal breathing/ Alternate Nostril Breathing- It is one of the most effective pranayama (breathing exercises) to purify the mind and body. Anulom Vilom offers benefits in curing most of the internal body conditions and is very useful in releasing stress and anxiety. Anulom Vilom pranayama can be performed by people of all ages. 

To perform Anulom Vilom, sit in sukhasana or padmasana. Left hand in chinh mudra and right in vishnu mudra. Vishnu mudra is when index finger and middle finger touch the base of the thumb. The ring finger, little finger and the thumb remains up. You should first close your eyes and relax all your muscles for while. Then, inhale from your left nostril while keeping your right nostril closed with the thumb of your right hand for the count of 4. Retain the breath for a 16 counts and exhale from your right nostril with your ring fingers and little finger closing your left nostril for the count of 8. Then, once again take in the breath from your right nostril. Finally, exhale from your left nostril while closing your right nostril with your thumb. This will complete one round of the pranayama. You could perform this exercise for around 15 minutes while taking a minute rest after every 5 minutes.

Anulom Vilom benefits us by balancing the body’s three dosas. Any imbalance in the three dosas will lead to illnesses. You can also awaken the Kundalini if you focus on the Moolandra Chakra while performing this exercise. Anulom Vilom also benefits us by bringing relief to conditions like sinus, respiratory problems, and asthma. Removing of artery blockages and maintenance of cholesterol levels are other Kapalbhati benefits. It is also effective in dealing with conditions like constipation, flatulence, diabetes, and obesity. As Anulom vilom has no side effects it is considered to be very effective for weight loss.

However, performing Anulom Vilom should be avoided by women during pregnancy and periods. Individuals who suffer from heart troubles should not perform this exercise with too much force and should practice it under the guidance of a qualified instructor. For you to reap the Anulom Vilom benefits, it is important that you practice it daily. It is also essential for you to combine it with a yogic diet that is purely vegetarian and Kapalbhati (Cleansing).  Kapalbhati benefits the body by helping to flush out toxins.

Anulom Vilom Pranayama is another type of pranayama.In this breathing technique, you inhale from one nostril at one time and release the breath through the the other nostril. You alternate between the two nostril at a regular comfortable pace.

You can practice this pranayama for bout 5-6 minutes per day.

Anulom Vilom pranayam is said to have benefited people with Heart ailments, high blodd pressure, heart blockages, depression, migraine pain, asthma, sinus, allergy

It is important that you breathe deep into your lungs and not into the stomach. Most elements that absorb oxygen are in your lungs.