Kapalabhati Meditation: Breath of Fire for Energy & Vitality

A short, energizing Kapalabhati breathwork & short meditation practice to help you clear stagnant energy, awaken vitality, and arrive more fully in the present moment. Also known as Breath of Fire, Kapalabhati uses a series of active, rapid exhalations through the nostrils while the inhalation happens naturally. You’ll begin slowly, finding the rhythm before gradually increasing the pace. The practice then moves into a brief breath retention and mindful awareness, allowing you to notice the effects of the practice and settle into a sense of aliveness and presence. This is a simple practice to use when you want to shift your energy, feel more awake, or create a clear transition into meditation or mindful presence. Keywords: Kapalabhati, Breath of Fire, pranayama, yogic breathing, energy, vitality, cleansing, meditation, mindfulness, awakening, presence, breath practice

Transcript

So here is a beautiful Himalayan breathwork called Kabbalah Bhati. It's this powerful cleansing breath. That purifies and uplifts us. And it's really quite simple. You start with this rapid exhalation through your nostrils as if you're sort of blowing something out your nostrils. And the in-breath takes care of itself. And it looks something like this. So that's the finished product. And if you want to join me for a few rounds, It's just a great way to clear out any stagnant energy and just revitalize and uplift yourself. And I'll just take a few moments. So settle into a posture that's comfortable for you. And we're just gonna do it slowly to start. So inhaling and exhaling through the nose and just noticing the belly moving in and out. And then once you get the rhythm, Then you can kind of speed it up a little bit. So that's the Kabbalah Bhati, And then we'll just do a brief mindfulness together. So close your eyes or soften your gaze, Turn your attention inwards. You can join me from the car or the kitchen table, Or if you do have a few moments to sit down, Do that as well. Just bring your attention to your breath. Allowing yourself to arrive in this present moment. Feeling your sit bones rooted under you. Your connection to the earth. Letting your breath flow without trying to change it. And as you turn your attention inward here, Just now gently deepening the breath. Perhaps breathing in for a count of four. And out for a count of four. 3 to 5 rands of that. Spine is tall. Mind is settled. And now we're going to begin the Kabbalah Bhati. So. . . Breathing in. And out through the nostril, Focusing on a rapid exhale. Keeping the body nice and still. Let's begin. See or feel, As you go through this, The body getting lighter, Freer, Less dense. As if it's being filled with light. Continue a few more rounds. Exhale all the air. Take a nice deep in-breath. Let it fill your lungs, Fill your belly, Hold the breath if it's comfortable. Attention in the belly, Dip your chin. Letting awareness build, Vitality build in that abdomen area. When you're ready, Gently exhale out the nostrils. And take a few slow, Smooth, Deep diaphragmatic breaths. Noticing if anything has changed. Maybe there's a sense of vitality. Of aliveness. Of arriving here in this present moment a little lighter. A little freer. When you're ready, You can dip your chin, Bring your hands to Anjali Mudra in the heart center, Dip your chin. Blink your eyes open and find a soft gaze point and let that land. And then gently easing back.