Hot Yoga Pose Forums > Kaphalbhati Breath: Blowing in Firm Pose
I agree with Maria and Paula about the complexity of this seemingly easy pose. Sometimes sitting cross-legged feels better for me too, even when my knees are fine. It helps me with the natural inhaling at times; there are other times when sitting on my heels feels totally comfortable. As long as my arms are locked, it seems like either approach feels cleansing and powerful.
Pamela
When I first started doing this pose I would have to inhale about halfway through the claps--now I can usually get through the entire sequence without visibly inhaling. I love seeing the belly snap when the rest of my body is rigid.
irenem
The rhythmical claps and exhalation can truly put us in meditative mode and set us up for savasana. I find though that the speed is important. If the teacher goes too fast or too slow, it throughs me off.
Irina
I have always had to inhale during this pose and I've finally figured it out. I've been trying to shush. But now I relax my jaw and just let the breath escape through my teeth I can snap my stomach and not inhale.
Erica
Its so yummy when you have that AHA moment...but its more about following the teachers instructions than figuring it out: if you resolve to exhale only, the natural vacuum created in your body takes the breath in at exactly the depth needed to get you to the next delicious exhale. Let go, let go, let GO! How fitting for this exercise in letting go comes right at the end of the Hot 26
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I have TMJ which equates to Locked Jaw, for a majority of my day i am consciously telling myself to relax my jaw. In this pose i make a different sound when my jaw is clenched, I continue snapping my stomach and I only allow the natural reflex of air in my body. Sometimes I just don’t think it is enough - I will start getting this feeling that I almost feel like i am going to pass out BUT it doesn’t feel like I am going to pass out because it feels good; does that make any sense? Have you experienced what i am speaking of? I feel like i am going to a different level of consciousness through breathwork because all my senses become heightened and I FEEL GOOD! What’s going on here Rhonda? I would love your feedback on this :)
Lisa N
Lisa, the feeling of almost passing out is common if you are deliberately inhaling as well as deliberately exhaling, which is called BREATH OF FIRE. In Kapphalbhati, The inhale should be imperceptible; just focus on the exhale in short bursts with the soft SHSHSHS sound. The feeling you are describing is often what happens during BREATH OF FIRE, forceful INHALE and EXHALE, not kappalbhati which is forceful exhale only. BREATH OF FIRE raises your kundalini energy and it only appropriate for very experienced pranayama practitioners.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I totally agree with Maria, at first glance this pose seems totally simple. Then you follow the cues and see how much is really going on with locking, lifting, tucking and not inhaling. I actually have some trouble with this pose and wonder if maybe I should just be sitting cross legged. In order to get my hands on my knees, my elbows locked, my shoulders down and my tallbone tucked I have a hell of a time getting around the broadness of my chest and the size of my breasts. Thoughts?