Hot Yoga Pose Forums > Kaphalbhati Breath: Blowing in Firm Pose
I understand about the SHH-SHH noise, but I often find that others in class do not. What's more, they don't stay will the claps! Is there a diplomatic way of dealing with this as a teacher? There is only so loud I can clap!
KristinaS
So true Kristina: the misconception about the breath sound comes from the fact that when you are truly doing this breath deeply and correctly you slacken the jaw...so it can sound like a softer Shhh-Shhhh sound or even a blowing sound.... But it must hit the top of the palate so to get that understanding we describe it as a harder Shhh sound. I will sometimes crouch beside a student and do the breath with them til they get it. As for keeping pace- people who don't are usually inhaling rather than letting the inhale be automatic and focusing just on forceful exhales: just remind them to exhale only and forcefully - if they want to push out all those toxins! (and who doesn't?).
Rhonda Uretzky
Sometimes I like to squeeze my inner thighs together and lift a bit of my weight off my heels - not enough for my body to lift off visibly from my heels, but just a bit of a stretch. I find this engages my core more. It also helps lift my spine up slights. I find it helpful but was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this since it's not really cued for...
Melina
Melina, I squeeze a bit as well and think that it adds with the pushing of the breath out. I 'd love to know if this is a good practice.
Mallory Maier
Yes, Melina, this is absolutely true; I sometimes tell students to "sit lightly on the heels" rather than sit back with full weight on the heels; it almost feels like you're floating a bit above the heels and results in a much more powerful feeling in the blowing pose - in fact, effortless! When we tell students "spine straight, tailbone down" in the script, it is the tucking of the tailbone that will result in this sitting-lightly feeling. In fact, its almost impossible to have that "riding-a-horse" jostle to the upper body if you are lightly on - or slightly above- the heels with the tailbone tucked.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
This one took a few classes to get the exhaling correct, especially on the second/faster set.
GabbyL
There's only one breath instruction here gabby: exhale! Seems like it should be twice as easy as the inhale/exhale combo. Sometimes I think trusting your body to automatically inhale vs actively inhaling is the hard part....and once again, letting go and trusting your body's ability to carry you is what makes this yoga and not the gym
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I remember early days of practice thinking "how the heck can I exhale without inhaling this long". haha It really wasn't long and it came natural to do just that, exhale!
HeatherS
Aint the body grand, Heather? It always wants to offer just what you need. So, you focus on the exhale and the body will give you the inhale. And the relaxation. And the health. And so much more.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Sometimes it feels like I'm not getting the snap of the belly as well as others. It was helpful to read about the slack jaw and the breath hitting the top of the palate. Lifting the weight slightly off of the heels makes sense too. Next time!
KimA
By keeping the tailbone down it will keep some weight off the heals. I have never tried to squeeze my inner thighs together to make the contact a bit lighter as Melina mentions. I can see how this can engage the core and stabilize the spine as i snap my belly. Try doing this Kim. It will be easier to snap if core is stabilized. I'm going to try squeezing my thighs next class.
When i snap my belly i like to focus on at the top of my breast bone, between the collar bones at the base of the neck to see that little hole pop in and out. When i see this, I feel like I'm really snapping my belly in.
I also like to keep my arms locked tight and close to my breasts as Rhonda has mentioned in class. This gives the lymphatic system and lymph nodes a little boost and who can't use that!?
TinaA
I agree Tina it does make a huge difference to have you tailbone down and feel the stretch in the spine and enjoy the feeling of a strong, straight spine. I did not know that it gives a boost to the lymphatic system and lymphs. It is very interesting and the pose is amazing by just blowing the air out you get strong and beautiful abs.
Alfia
I need to watch my tailbone in this pose it wants to "pop" up in this one, so a quick little reminder to myself when blowing out is to get it down. Plus I love knowing that I'm detoxifying my body plus getting an ab workout!
Becky
Yes, that pesky tailbone...vestigial though it may be it always seems to want to "poke" its way back into life. Most people thrust the lower back as habit...but once you get the idea of tucking the tailbone gently, the release you feel is worth remembering.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I am glad I am not the only one with a tail bone that like to creep up. I find that feeling a string pull me through the ceiling helps me to stay tall and keep my collar bones apart. It is amainzing how good I can feel from just pushing out air. My abs always feel great after this. The one thing I do not get is the analogy of riding a horse wth your arms. Horse back riding is about stillness and no movement, so pumping your arms and being lose would be a no go. I always have to chuckle because if I rode a horse like that or if a student of mine rode like that there would be some serious issues in the show ring and success. In reality the stillness and core strength in this pose is the same I need when riding a horse. I actually use deep breaths and core strength to ride my horses and that controlled breath is what I need to settle them. We actually call it a half halt, and it is a way to refocus them and redirect the energy.
Brittany Yard
Really cool to know that, Brittany! I feel great after doing this pose as well. It took me a while to really trust my body to inhale for me, so initially I had a hard time staying in time with the claps because I was trying to inhale, and I would lose my breath eventually. Now that I realized I should just trust my body, it feels effortless and great.
Chrissy Graziano
You are correct Brittany and we are not suggesting that this is the correct way to ride a horse - but many people do bounce in the saddle when they ride without gripping with the inner thighs and holding the core and back in place, and so our analogy is a bit tongue-in-cheek. But perhaps we should stop saying this so as not to confuse people about the correct way to ride a horse!
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Trust your body, yes, Chrissy....follow the instructions and then trust
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I love ending part of class and seeing my belly snap and push out all the toxins! The tailbone down and arms locked keep my completely stable. I especially love the music classes with Rhonda where I fall into a meditative state following along and the release is wonderful, calming and peaceful.
Lisa O'Rourke
It's such a simple ending to a hot yoga practice .. blowing away the last of the resistance to total release...
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Being a horseback rider too I relate to Brittany’s comment, keeping your body locked and engaged keeps you still. The one area not mentioned that I’ve found helped me was actually engaging my legs and feet and pressing them to the mat rather than just letting myself sit between my two flopped heels. This extra support helps my whole body remain light and locked like when you ride a horse, your feet are positioned: toes up/heels down, to keep your body light and locked. Similar here, it’s so funny how things can relate
Stephanie
I love to focus on the act of "activating my lymphatic system". Having less nodes on my right really inspired me to start focusing on this and I feel it has helped so much with the remaining ones to kick in and do a complete job. I have rarely had swelling in my right arm. I also love focusing on blowing out any toxins in my body. I feel so refreshed after doing this.
Jeanne
I feel light and locked like Steph sitting on my heels, arms outstretched. Enjoy "shushing out the breath. Relaxing at end of poses.
amy
The key to getting the most benefit out of this pose for me is having my elbows locked arms locked to avoid the jerking movements and using my abdominals to the max. Also the cue of tailbone down then spine straight again helps me stay in line. Becky mentions her tailbone pops up. I believe for me when I contract my pubovagjnal muscles this further helps stabilize my tailbone from moving and also helps those muscles that may loose to gravity.
One last time to exhale the toxins out now through an open mouth is satisfying for me.
So much going on for a seemingly “easy” pose.
maria
What a great workout for the core - 60 breaths is like 600 situps! The real purpose of this breath is to clear your bloodstream of free radicals - toxins - so blow, baby ,blow. Just be sure you're not huffing; your breath should hit the top of your palate for a soft SHHHing sound.