The Yoga Boost- Kapalabhati
By Joy Abrams

There are so many times during the course of a day that you might feel the need for a pick me up. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is with the breathing technique Kapalabhati. It is referred to as the yogic breath of fire. In Sanskrit the word kapal means skull and bhati means cleanse. This exercise is a Kriya meaning a cleansing exercise. You can practice this exercise as part of your asanas at the beginning or the end of your yoga practice, or you can practice any time during the day when you need a boost of energy.

Sit in easy pose with your spine straight.
Have the tip of your tongue resting lightly against the roof of your mouth just in front of your teeth.
Inhale through your nose for the count of four.
Exhale through your mouth for the count of four as you contract your abdomen against your spine and then release your abdomen for the count of four.
Continue doing this six times.
Practice this process for several weeks.
Now begin to make your exhalations and inhalations shorter.
With each exhalation the abdomen comes in and presses the air out.
Feel the stroke of the exhalation below the navel.
Work up to doing this twenty times to get a superb energy boost.

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