CYSN| YOGA IN KATHMANDU
CYSN| YOGA IN KATHMANDU “Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.
It is the most valuable inheritance of the present.
It is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow.”
— Swami Satyananda Saraswati
At Yoga in Kathmandu, practitioners deeply value the ancient wisdom and practical benefits of yogic techniques like Kapalbhati. In modern yoga practice, Kapalbhati has gained significant popularity, especially among students of Yoga in Kathmandu, due to its remarkable effects on digestive fire awakening, increased lung capacity, sinus cleansing, and balancing the Kapha dosha in the body.
Kapalbhati is often associated with pranayama but historically it is classified as part of shatkarma, the six purification techniques described in classical yoga texts. Understanding this dual nature is essential for anyone practicing Yoga in Kathmandu aiming for authentic yogic experiences.
According to Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha (APMB) by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, the word Kapalbhati is derived from Sanskrit:
Kapal means cranium or forehead
Bhati means light, splendor, or perception
Thus, Kapalbhati refers to the practice that brings light and clarity to the frontal region of the brain. It is also known as Kapalsodhana, meaning purification.
The ancient text Gherand Samhita offers a similar explanation but emphasizes Kapalbhati as a cleansing technique, where Kapala means skull, Bal means forehead, and Bhati means bellows — highlighting its cleansing action.
Both texts agree there are three distinct types of Kapalbhati, all under the category of shatkarma in traditional yoga:
Vatakram Kapalbhati
This is the most practiced form in Yoga in Kathmandu training. It involves a specific breathing technique with forceful exhalations and passive inhalations designed to purify the respiratory system and activate vital energy channels (nadis).
Sit in a meditative posture with awareness of natural breath.
Inhale deeply through the left nostril with abdominal breathing.
Exhale forcefully through the right nostril by contracting the abdominal muscles.
Then inhale deeply through the right nostril and exhale forcefully through the left nostril, emptying the lungs completely.
The inhalations remain passive and automatic, while the exhalations are active and controlled.
Vyutkrama Kapalbhati
This practice involves cleansing the sinuses using water, essential for detoxification and clear breathing.
Sheetkrama Kapalbhati
This technique is for mucus cleansing using water to purify the nasal passages further.
At Yoga in Kathmandu, Kapalbhati is revered not only as a powerful pranayama but also as a vital shatkarma purification technique. It prepares the body and mind for advanced yoga practices by clearing energy channels, enhancing oxygen flow, and calming the nervous system. These benefits create a foundation for mental clarity, physical health, and spiritual awakening, making it an indispensable practice in the authentic yogic path followed in Kathmandu.
Pranayama, at its core, means the conscious control and expansion of the life force energy, or prana, through specialized breathing techniques. It is a vital pillar of authentic yogic practice that aims to harmonize mind, body, and spirit. Among these techniques, Vatakram Kapalbhati holds a distinctive place as it beautifully integrates both pranayama and shatkarma—the traditional six cleansing practices in yoga.
In Vatakram Kapalbhati, practitioners perform forceful, deliberate exhalations followed by passive, natural inhalations. This breath pattern is not just a breathing exercise but a profound purification method that clears the subtle energy channels (nadis) within the body. By cleansing these pathways, especially the central Sushumna nadi, Vatakram Kapalbhati enables the smooth flow of prana, awakening and balancing vital energy systems.
This cleansing function aligns perfectly with the goals of shatkarma, focusing on internal purification and preparing the mind and body for advanced pranayama and meditation. When practiced regularly, Vatakram Kapalbhati improves lung capacity, enhances oxygen exchange, and balances the nervous system. These physical benefits translate to greater vitality and resilience, which are fundamental to the holistic teachings of Yoga in Kathmandu.
Additionally, the practice promotes mental clarity, reducing stress, anxiety, and mental fog. This calm, focused state is essential for deeper yogic disciplines and managing everyday life challenges.
At Yoga in Kathmandu, Vatakram Kapalbhati is taught as a core practice due to its unique dual role. As a pranayama, it involves intentional breath regulation—using forceful exhalations and effortless inhalations—to expand and harmonize prana. This controlled breathing boosts oxygen supply, energizes the nervous system, and calms the mind, foundational benefits emphasized in authentic Yoga in Kathmandu training courses.
Simultaneously, Vatakram Kapalbhati serves as a shatkarma by purifying the respiratory nadis, removing toxins and blockages that can hinder energy flow. This cleansing prepares practitioners physically and mentally for advanced yogic practices, making it an essential building block in the Yoga in Kathmandu curriculum.
Students who master Vatakram Kapalbhati within Yoga in Kathmandu experience improved physical health, sharper mental focus, and spiritual readiness. This powerful practice offers a complete approach to well-being grounded in traditional yogic wisdom.
For anyone seeking authentic yoga training, mastering Vatakram Kapalbhati at Yoga in Kathmandu provides a strong foundation for a lifetime of holistic health and yogic growth.
“For those seeking to deepen their practice in a serene and authentic setting, explore our Yoga Retreats in Kathmandu designed to harmonize body, mind, and breath.”
