What is the difference between Kapalbhati

and Bhartrika Pranayama?

Several Yoga Schools having their own techniques for these two Yoga Practices. As both the
practice having rapid breathing and both of them are being used to practice for better immunity.
Is there any significant change into the result of these two practices: Kapalbhati and Bhastrika
Pranayama?
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_Kapalbhati_and_Bhartrika_
Pranayama

Topics

Breathing Exercises

Pranayama

Yoga Research

Yoga Therapy

Immunity

Yoga

Dec 18, 2015

All Answers (7)

Rajashri Ramesh Chavan Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Institute of Management Studies

and Research, Varye, Satara
Kapalbhati is shudhikriya & bhastrika is pranayam Both are not same. In kapalbhati have
only forceful stroke of exhalation wheras in bhastrika both inhalation & exhalation is
forceful after that deep slowly breathing & kumbhak
Dec 24, 2015

Prakash Malshe Antar Prakash Centre for Yoga

Difference between Kapalbhati and Bhastrika
In Yogic texts, Kapalbhati is classified as a part of the shat-karma or shodhan kriya and
not a Pranayama. It is intended to clear the nasal passages and the sinuses of accumulated
mucus secretion by a Ventury effect. (See link 1). It is performed with deep inspiration
and rapid expiration through both the nostrils, the nostrils being somewhat constricted
voluntarily: In action, it is more like sneezing, and has to be quick, typically one breath
taking about less-than-a-second. In comparison Bhastrika is classified as a Pranayama.
The term has its origin in the bellows of blacksmiths (See link 2) . If one has to sincerely
mimic the action of bellows of a blacksmith, the expiration has to be prolonged: typically
3-4 seconds. In medical Physiology, both have a washing out effect on carbon-dioxide
and if prolonged, can lead to alkalosis and spasms of hands, known as tetany (See Hall,
John, ed. (2010). Guyton and Hall textbook of medical physiology (12th ed.).
Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders/Elsevier. p. 367. ISBN 978-1-4160-4574-8.)
Dec 26, 2015

Prakash Malshe Antar Prakash Centre for Yoga

Links
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venturi_effect
2. http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/fire-bellows.html
Dec 26, 2015

Kamakhya Kumar Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

Dr Sab
Nmaskar!
Thank you for taking interest in the discussion and thanks for adding these very useful
answers...!!
Dec 26, 2015

Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute

Swamiji Gitananda Giri classifies the Bhastrika as Prana Dhautis, Sauchas or cleansers.
He catagorizes them as "Adhama Pranayamas" or "Yoga Pranayamas", the first category.
They are part of the cleansing and purifying process. He says that Bhastrika means to
breathe in and out like a "Bhasta" or a blacksmith's bellows. In the simplest form, the
breath is blasted out in a single whoosh. Swamiji teaches many kinds of Bhastrikas
including Nasarga Bhastrika (through the nose); Mukha Bhastrika (through the mouth);
Anunasika (an extensive nasal cleansing technique taking six days); Karnamala Bhastrika
(ear cleanser); Dhauti (cleansing through mouth); Nadi Shoddhana (cleansing nerves),
and Kapalabbati (the skull cleanser). He also teaches what he calls the "quiet Bhastrikas,"
i.e., Nadi Shuddhi, Ujjyai, Gada and Surya Bhedhana. He adds Netra Bhastrika to cleanse
the eyes, Nabhi Bhastrika (Nauli Kriya) and Mula Bhastrika.
In all of the Bellows Breaths, the air is moved rapidly and explosively to qualify for the
term "Bhastrika". In some Pranayamas the breath is taken in and out of the nostrils, while
in some, the breath in the nostrils is alternated. In still others the breath is let out through
the mouth. The number of rounds making up Prana Yoga, a Garshana or Breath Cycle,
varies in accordance to the dictates of the teacher and the particular Yoga school and is in
keeping with the physical strength of the Yogi or the student of Pranayama. Usually a few
rounds of the rapid Bhastrika are practised in the beginning, and ten more sustained
rounds are added session by session as the chest and diaphragm develop and the oxygen
is absorbed by the blood stream. The signs that the Bhastrika is being overdone are
fatigue, abdominal fibrillation or twitching of the abdominal muscles and over-ventilation
of the blood stream with oxygen, hyper-ventilation. Hyperventilation is typified by
"snowballs" or oxygen blobs appearing in the eyes.
With regard to Kapalbhati, Pujya Swamiji writes: As Kapala Bliati is mentioned by
many writers as being one of the Eight Classical Breaths, I feel compelled to include it in
any discussion of these Pranayamas. Only a brief description will be given for
Kapalabhati, which also is considered to be one of the most powerful of the cleansing
routines known in Yoga. Much confusion exists as to its actual technique, many claiming
that it is good for chest problems including asthma. The name "Kapalabhati" implies that
it has something to do with the head, rather than the chest, as "Kapala" means the "skull"
and "Bhati", "to shine" or "to make clean, in luster".
This Karma or Kriya is to control and cleanse the Pancha-Bhutas or the Five Great
Elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether associated with the brain. Earth stands for the
physical matter of the brain; water for the cerebro-spinal fluid; fire for the nerve energy
passing through the association fibres connecting nerve tissues and cells; air for the
pressure holding the brain in its skull cavity; and ether, for the subtle energies moving in
the arachnoid and sub-arachnoid cavity of the brain.
Tumours, brain obstructions and congestion of brain cells represent the earth cleansing-,
a milky or murky spinal fluid sometimes showing traces of blood is the cleansing of the
water; impeded or short-circuited nerve impulses are the cleansing of the fire; any
congestion in the skull cavity represents air cleansing; unbalanced, irrational states of
mind is that cleansed by the ether.

Technique: sit in any conventional, straight-back posture, expel all of the air in the lungs
and pull in the stomach. Rapidly breathe in and out through both nostrils visualizing the
Prana as flowing from the front bottom of the brain to the back and then over the top of
the brain and circulating through the brain, on the in breath. The Apana is visualised as
rising from the base of the spine, over the top of the brain and then circulating through
the brain on the explosive out breath. Do thirty rounds for a beginning, then increase a
few rounds each day as long as there is no dizziness or fainting from hyperventilation.
One hundred and twenty rounds at a sitting is the maximum. There is no point in going
beyond this number of rounds. Stretch out and relax for two to five minutes after any
strenuous Pranayama and then continue daily activities. Kapalabhati is highly
recommended for students who have to do a great deal of study and need a clean, clear
mind, and for spiritual aspirants before their concentration and meditation.
Jan 12, 2016

Kamakhya Kumar Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya

Great explanation sir...!
Thank you for your submission!
Regards!
Jan 13, 2016

Dr. Aayam Gupta IIT Kharagpur

Dr. Malsche, very interesting explanation citing Gyton and Hall....May I seek further
clarification related to the "prolonged practice" that may lead to alkalosis and spasms of
hands (as explained by you). What is the minimum duration and when would you know
now its prolonged??
Moreover even if there is hyperventilation and oxygen saturation level is high in blood, it
would have a calming effect on the brain.....towards parasympathetic tone. So I feel it
would be protective in the context of risk of spasms.
You can see this happening in vigorous breathing like in Sudarshan Kriya of Art of
Living. I myself have done more than 1000 exhalations (@120 per minute) and never
felt having spasms rather I felt more fresh and alert.
Kindly explain if feasible.
Regards

Aayam