Kapalabhati and bhastrika

Kapalabhati is rapid forceful exhalations. Bhastrika is forceful bellows breathing.

They are traditionally taught and sometimes studied. Each Start is one minute. It does not set a breaths-per-minute rate.

Teaching safety

These are teaching-safety reasons, not the exclusion list from one trial.

• Pregnancy
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Significant heart disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma or recent eye surgery
• Hernia
• Recent abdominal surgery
• Active panic

The reason is mechanical. Repeated forceful exhalation changes carbon dioxide and the pressures in the abdomen and chest.

If you want an energizing practice, take a brisk walk.