Celebrity Trainer Subodh Gupta
In Sanskrit Kapal means forehead and Bhati in Sanskrit means shining. Practicing Kapalbhati on a regular basis leads to shining face with inner radiance. Kapalbhati is a highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise.
In kapalbhati quick exhalation and natural inhalation are performed. Quick exhalation generally takes about one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follow each other.
Yogic breathing exercises were meant for preparing mind for meditation and were not designed as remedy for diseases though these exercise promote well being in general.
Regular practice of Yoga exercises do help in cleansing the lungs and entire respiratory system, purifying the blood and the body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all its cells.
Breathing exercise also helps in improving the digestive system, strengthening abdominal muscle as well as energising the mind for mental work.
However numerous benefits of kapalbhati as described by modern day yoga gurus as panacea for many major illnesses are far from truth, misleading and even dangerous.
In fact kapalbhati though beneficial for a healthy person can be dangerous for many people if they are suffering from conditions such as:
a) Heart disease
b) High blood pressure
c) A hernia
In addition this exercise should never be practiced when an asthmatic attack is in progress, or if pain or dizziness is experienced. Quick exhalation should be comfortable to oneself, i.e. quick exhalation should not be too forceful as suggested by many Indian yoga gurus.
It is extremely important that one should first explain his/her health condition to their yoga teacher before beginning any yoga exercise.
Ignorance on the part of yoga teacher and participant can be very dangerous and can bring more harm to practitioner instead of benefits.
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Issued in public interest by author and celebrity yoga trainer Subodh Gupta.
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