From April 21st, 2008

Spring is in full bloom! As beautiful as it may be outside, however, some of us have inevitably fallen victim to seasonal allergies. Over the next week, I would like to present a few yogic techniques that can help alleviate spring congestion. If you suffer from severe allergies, it may be best to consult a medical practitioner or naturopathic expert before performing these practices. (Click below the photo to continue reading)

Kapalbhati is the one yogic breathing technique that can expel toxins from the lungs. This practice, which involves an active exhalation and passive inhalation, translates from Sanskrit as “frontal brain cleaning”, as it is believed to purify the brain’s frontal lobe region. There have been studies linking regular practice of kapalbhati with improved memory and mental performance. Through my own experience, I have found kapalbhati to be a powerful rejuvenating and cleansing technique.
If you have high blood pressure, hypertension, or heart disease, kapalbhati can have adverse affects and should not be practiced. It should also be avoided if you have vertigo, epilepsy, hernia, or gastric ulcer. Kapalbhati should only be practiced on an empty stomach, as it stimulates the digestive fire (agni). It is advised to wait at least 3 hours after a meal. If you feel any strain or light-headedness while performing kapalbhati, please discontinue.
Please remember to begin at a slow and controlled pace. Try to keep a soft and steady expression throughout the practice.

1. Sit in any comfortable meditative posture (such as padmasana, swastikasana, vajrasana, or a simple cross-legged position). Rest the hands on the knees or in chin or jnana mudra.
Close the eyes and straighten the spine. Breath through the nose.
Bring your awareness to the breath while still making a conscious effort to relax the body.
2. After normalizing the breath, inhale and exhale completely (through the nostrils). Inhale to a comfortable level and then exhale with a forceful contraction of the abdominal muscles. The subsequent inhalation, which will allow the abdominal muscles to expand, should be passive and without effort.
3. Continue 10 to 20 of these rapid breaths (active exhalation and passive inhalation).
4. After the last one, exhale completely. Resume deep breathing.
5. Practice 3 to 5 rounds.