what is difference between kapalbhati pranayama and bhastrika pranayama

Question

It appears same to me for kapalbhati pranayama as well as bhastrika pranayama, are there any differences between kapalbhati pranayama and bhastrika pranayama or they are same?

Comments

Difference between kapalbhati pranayama and bhastrika pranayama is explained below in Hindi also. कपालभाति और भस्त्रिका प्राणायाम के बीच अंतर नीचे हिंदी में बताया गया है।

Answer 1

Let’s see what Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP), classic fifteenth-century Sanskrit manual on hatha yoga, says on Kapalabhati and Bhastrika.

What is Kapalbhati & its History?

First we discuss about Kapalabhati.  Let us break this word into two words. First word is ‘Kapala’ which means skull (head) and another word ‘bhati’ which means shining.  It means that practice of this pranayama shines the forehead.  HYP does not call this practice as pranayama, but it treats this exercise as one of the six cleansing actions.

धौतिर्बस्तिस्तथा नेतिस्त्राटकं नौलिकं तथा |
कपाल-भातिश्छैतानि षहट-कर्माणि परछक्ष्हते || २२ ||

dhautirbastistathā netistrāṭakaṃ naulikaṃ tathā |
kapāla-bhātiśchaitāni ṣhaṭ-karmāṇi prachakṣhate || 22 ||

In the above sloka, Hatha Yoga Pradipika has defined six types of detoxification (cleansing) actions called Shatkarmas These are: Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Trâtaka, Nauti and Kapâla Bhâti. Kapalabhati is one of purification exercise.

अथ कपालभातिः
भस्त्रावल्लोह-कारस्य रेछ-पूरौ ससम्भ्रमौ |
कपालभातिर्विख्याता कफ-दोष्ह-विशोष्हणी || ३५ ||

How Kapalbhati is Practiced?

Let us understand the technique of doing this kapalabhati.

1. First sit comfortably in any meditative posture - padmasana or vajrasana. Always keep your back straight.
2. Take 2 or 3 deep breathings before starting kapalbhati.
3. Forcefully exhale from the abdomen quickly and repeatedly. Just keep focus on forceful exhalations (this is called active exhalation). Inhalations will spontaneously occur after every exhalation (this is called passive inhalation).
4. Gradually, increase the frequency of forceful exhalations to about 20-30 per minute initially. You can increase the frequency up to 60 strokes per minute. This is called one round.
5. At end of a round, slowly and exhale the remaining breath if any inside the lungs . After this, normalize your breath and relax.

For 2nd round, again start from step 3 and continue to step 6.

The keypoint here in this practice is forceful exhalations using abdominal muscles (and not chest muscles).  You should practice this only within your capacity and comfort level.  

At end of this practice, there is temporary suspension of breath and then there is a feeling of tranquility and peaceful silence. This spontaneous pause of breath is kumbhaka.

Benefits of Kapalbhati

Physiologically, this practice has cleansing effects on the lungs. It is a good practice for respiratory disorders. It helps cleans the capillaries of the even remotest part of the body. It cleanses the nasal passages. Abdominal muscles and digestive organs are toned. If you are feeling a sort of laziness or fatigue, or sleepiness, this will help you.

Oxygen and energy levels are enhanced by the practice of kapalabhati.

Precautions during Kapalbhati

But be careful as this is a vigorous breathing technique. So, come back before your muscles and lungs are tired. 

(Precaution - If you have low back pain, or any surgery in the abdomen, or if you suffer frequently from high blood pressure, heart problem, do not practice it).

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What is Bhastrika and its History?

Coming to bhastrika pranayama (Bellows Breath), let’s see what Hatha Yoga Pradipika says on it.

अथ भस्त्रिका
ऊर्वोरुपरि संस्थाप्य शुभे पाद-तले उभे |
पद्मासनं भवेदेतत्सर्व-पाप-परणाशनम || ५९ ||

atha bhastrikā
ūrvorupari saṃsthāpya śubhe pāda-tale ubhe |
padmāsanaṃ bhavedetatsarva-pāpa-praṇāśanam || 59 ||

This shloka suggests padmasana for bhastrika pranayama.  One can also sit in sukhasana or vajrasana for bhastrika pranayama. The requirement is to have stable posture.

यथोदरं भवेत्पूर्णमनिलेन तथा लघु |
धारयेन्नासिकां मध्या-तर्जनीभ्यां विना दॄढम || ६४ ||

yathodaraṃ bhavetpūrṇamanilena tathā laghu |
dhārayennāsikāṃ madhyā-tarjanībhyāṃ vinā dṝḍham || 64 ||

Hatha Yoga Pradipika has suggested bhastrika pranayama to be practiced in such a way that the air should be drawn in through the right nostril by pressing the thumb against the left side of the nose, so as to close the left nostril; and when filled to the full, it should be closed with the fourth finger (the one next to the little finger) and kept confined.

How is Bhastrika Practiced?

But here, we will discuss the simple bhastrika. 

Bhastrika means bellows of the blacksmith.  Like bellows, inhalations and exhalations are done rapidly.  Remember in kapalbhati, we focused on rapid exhalations only.  So, in bhastrika pranayama, inhalations and exhalations are performed again and again quickly and with force.   

Now, let’s understand the technique.

1. Sit in comfortable meditation posture with the hands resting on the knees in gyan mudra.
2. Keep the head and spine straight, close the eyes and relax the whole body.
3. Take a deep breath in forcefully through the nose. Immediately afterwards, breathe in with the same force.  Forceful inhalation results from fully expanding the abdominal muscles and forceful exhalation from firm contraction of the abdominal muscles.  Do not strain.
4. During inhalation, move the abdomen outward.  During exhalation, move the abdomen inward.  This movement should be slightly exaggerated.
5. Continue in this manner, counting 10 breaths.
6. Take a deep breath in and breath out slowly.
7. This is one round.  Practice up to 5 rounds. When adjusted to this style of breathing, slowly increase the speed, always keeping the breath rhythmical. The force of inhalation and exhalation must be equal.

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama

1. This practice burns up toxins and helps balance the vata pita and kapha doshas or humours in our body.
2. Because of the rapid exchange of air in the lungs during this practice, there is an increase in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of blood stream.  This stimulates the metabolic rate, producing heat and flushing out wastes and toxins. This is helpful for overweight people therefore.
3. The rapid and rhythmic movement of the diaphragm also massages and stimulates the visceral organs, toning the digestive system.
4. Bhastrika reduces the level of carbon dioxide in the blood.  It helps to alleviate inflammation in the throat and any accumulation of phlegm. It balances and strengthens the nervous system, inducing peace, bliss/tranquility and concentration of mind in preparation for meditation.

Precautions During Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika Pranayama is hyper ventilation technique. So, in case, there is a sense of suffocation at any stage of this pranayama, stop the practice and consult the yoga expert/teacher.

 If you have high blood pressure, insomnia, mental or emotional disturbance, do not do this practice.

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Comments

Major Difference in Kapalbhati & Bhastrika

Kapalbhati involves a quick, short, forced exhalation (process of breathing out) using abdominal (belly) muscles followed by automatic passive inhalation (process of breathing in), whereas bhastrika involves active chest inhalations and exhalations by forced, rapid, deep breathing.

So, we can see that Kapalbhati and Bhastrika are breathing exercises meant to cleanse the body and the mind and bring instant peace of mind and clarity, as they both are based on active exhalations, and so, help in better removal of carbon dioxide from the lungs as well as greater supply of oxygen. Because of this, our brain cells are stimulated. 

Benefits of Kapalbhati & Bhastrika Pranayama

At the end of these breathing exercises, there is automatic temporary suspension of breath (Kewal Kumbhaka) and during this time, our mind is very calm and balanced and is in healing state, as the number of thoughts are reduced giving the mental rest.  We can enjoy this state of relaxation.

After some time, the breathing becomes normal as the carbon dioxide is generated in our body.

Precautions during Kapalbhati and Bhastrika Pranayama

Though it has many benefits as described in the above answer, there are some precautions to be followed.  These should be done early in the morning, preferably on empty stomach or after at least two or three hours of meal. Back or spine should be straight while practising. Do not control face or squeeze nostrils, rather one should keep smile on face and do with calmness. Women should avoid during menstruation or pregnancy.

One who suffers from uncontrolled or severe hypertension, cardiac disorders, vertigo, glaucoma, bleeding nose, epilepsy, hernia, gastric ulcer or slipped disc, should avoid these breathings.

Answer 2

In Kapalbhati which is also a part of Shatkarmas (yogic cleansing actions), there is active forceful exhalations and passive inhalations - you just need to focus on exhalations, whereas in Bhastrika Pranayamas both exhalations and inhalations are active - you focus on exhalations as well as inhalations.

Comments

Important Difference between Kapalbhati & Bhastrika Pranayama

The key is the pump using the abdominals. Practicing Uddiyana prior to doing Kapalabhati may give a person a good sensation of what muscles are required. There really is no effort to breath with this techique. The forceful evacuation of the lungs by the upward moving diaphram will expel the air and the lungs will naturally reinflate. By the way, traditionally Kapalabhati is not a pranayama but a Kriya or preparatory practice to be done prior to Nadi Shodhana, Surya Bhedana, Chandra Bhedana, Ujjayi, Sitali, etc.

Kapalabhati and Bhastrika are not the same thing! Bhastrika is an advanced pranayama practice that should only be prescibed by a teacher who has watched his pupil progress over time an know's he/she is ready for more advanced pranayama.

Source: Commented by Steven Galindo, Vice President, North Shore Yoga at Linkedin.com

Answer 3

कपालभाति और भस्त्रिका में अंतर

कपालभाति और भस्त्रिका में केवल श्वास लेने के तरीके में ही अंतर होता है |

कपालभाति कैसे करते है ?

कपालभाति में आप केवल श्वास छोड़ने पर ही ध्यान  देते है| इसमें श्वास भी जोर से पेट को अंदर खींच कर छोड़ा जाता है |  इस दौरान श्वास स्वतः ही शरीर के भीतर प्रवेश करता है|  आप इसका अभ्यास शुरुवात में एक राउंड में 30 स्ट्रोक्स के साथ कर सकते है और धीरे धीरे 60 -120 स्ट्रोक्स तक कर सकते है|

कपालभाति के दौरान सावधानियां

• यदि आपको कमर का दर्द है, उच्च रक्तचाप है, हृदय रोग है  या कोई हाल में सर्जरी हुई हो तो पहले डॉक्टर से सलाह करे, अन्यथा न ही करें|
• गर्भधारण अवस्था में न करें|
• रीढ़ के रोगों में भी वर्जित  है|
• कमर हमेशा सीधी रखे |
• कंधो को न हिलाये|

भस्त्रिका कैसे करते है ?

भस्त्रिका में श्वास का लेना और छोड़ना बहुत जोर से किया जाता और यह क्रिया छाती की मांसपेशियों के द्वारा की जाती है| इससे फेफड़ो की अच्छी एक्सरसाइज हो जाती है | पूरा शरीर ऊर्जावान हो जाता है इसलिए यदि शरीर में तामसिकता है तो इसे अवश्य करें| इससे आलसय भी दूर होता है|

भस्त्रिका के दौरान सावधानियां

• ध्यान रहे - यदि उच्च रक्तचाप है, हृदय रोग है, हो तो पहले डॉक्टर से सलाह करे, अन्यथा न ही करें|
• गर्भधारण अवस्था में न करें|
• रीढ़ के रोगों में भी न करें|
• कमर हमेशा सीधी रखे |
• कंधो को न हिलाये|

कपालभाति और भस्त्रिका के लाभ और फायदे

• इससे शरीर में ऑक्सीजन की मात्रा बढ़ती है और कार्बनडाइऑक्साइड बाहर निकलजाती है, और
• आंतो, लिवर और पैंक्रियास पर अच्छा प्रभाव पड़ता है जिससे डायबिटीज, कब्ज, आदि रोगो में फ़ायदा होता है|
• नासिका के रोग जैसे साइनोसाइटिस में लाभ मिलता है यदि नेति क्रिया की जाए|
• मन बहुत शांत होता है |

Answer 4

Kapalbhati and Bhastrika both are very beneficial breathing techniques. If we practice regularly, we can enjoy the benefits.

If we talk about the differences between them then Kapalbhati (Skull- cleansing or frontal cleansing) is a Shatkarma (cleansing) techniques and it removes the toxins, stress, removes blockages, improves digestion, helps to remove obesities, tones the stomach, and gives the strength to the pelvic area. And the process is the only exhalation through nostrils from the stomach.

But, if we talk about Bhastrika then again it's a very powerful Pranayama that activates, charges, increases the blood flow in the body very quickly. This technique is best for lungs, chest, throat, nostrils and for blood circulation. And, the process is quick inhaling and quick exhaling through the nostrils.

This technique is not recommended for patients of high blood pressure, heart patients ..etc.

To know more or to join Yoga courses, please visit https:// www.sushilyoga.com/

Answer 5

Kapalabhati breath is also called skull shinning breath, it releases toxins and also does internal purification.Inhale happens automatically and exhale pushing the breath out. Kapalbhati  pranayama is one of the components of body cleansing. It is advisable to keep the stomach, bladder and bowels empty while performing this technique.

Bhastika  means bellows breath, inhalation and exhalation is audible.It is performed through chest and engage the lungs.Inhalation and exhalation are forced.It is wonderful for brain oxygenation, also benefits the nervous system and very helpful for depression and anxiety .During inhalation move the stomach outward and exhalation inward may be start with 10 breaths at a time and with time increase the count.  Blessings

Answer 6

Kapalabhati and Bhastrika are both pranayama techniques, but they have distinct differences in terms of their breathing patterns, purpose, and effects. Here's a comparison between the two:

Kapalabhati Pranayama:

Breathing Pattern: Kapalabhati involves short and rapid exhalations generated by quick contractions of the lower belly muscles (abdominal muscles). The inhalation in kapalabhati is passive and relatively shorter.

Purpose: The primary purpose of Kapalabhati is to cleanse and purify the nasal passages, respiratory system, and the mind. It's often used as a preparation for meditation and to clear congestion from the airways.

Benefits: Kapalabhati is known to invigorate the nervous system, stimulate digestion, improve lung capacity, and enhance mental alertness. It's also believed to balance the prana (life force energy) and calm the mind.

Technique: It's typically performed in a sitting position, and the focus is on the forceful exhalations. Inhalations are passive and occur naturally as a result of the abdominal contractions.

Bhastrika Pranayama:

Breathing Pattern: Bhastrika involves both forceful inhalations and exhalations. The breath is drawn in forcefully, followed by a strong exhalation. The rate of breathing is generally faster compared to other pranayama techniques.

Purpose: Bhastrika is often practiced to increase vitality, energize the body, and awaken the dormant energy within. It's meant to balance the doshas (bioenergies) in the body and awaken the Kundalini energy.

Benefits: Bhastrika is believed to boost lung capacity, oxygenate the blood, and stimulate the metabolic processes. It can also help remove toxins from the body and improve overall physical and mental stamina.

Technique: Bhastrika is usually practiced in a seated posture, and both inhalation and exhalation are active and forceful. It requires coordinated movements of the abdomen and diaphragm.

Key Differences:

Kapalabhati primarily focuses on rapid exhalations with passive inhalations, while Bhastrika involves both forceful inhalations and exhalations.

Kapalabhati is often associated with cleansing and preparation for meditation, while Bhastrika is more about energizing and awakening.

Bhastrika has a faster pace compared to Kapalabhati.

The effects and benefits of the two techniques can be distinct due to their breathing patterns and purposes.

Both techniques can have profound effects on the body and mind, but it's important to learn and practice them correctly under the guidance of a qualified yoga instructor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.