Can I Do Kapalbhati With Mouth Breathing?

by Hema
(MAURITIUS)

I am Hema and I have respiratory problems since childhood. I breathe by mouth and hence I snore. In kapalbhati, we have to do exhaling by nose and inhaling by nose itself but I am not able to do inhaling by nose as I breath normally by mouth. Should I breathe by mouth during kapalbhati? Is this correct?



Answer

You must not breathe by mouth during kapalabhati.
Mouth breathing can cause sleep apnea, snoring, lethargy and low energy levels. Mouth breathing can be due to blocked nasal passages or it can be habitual. Consult your doctor to rule out any medical problem which may result in mouth breathing.

For getting rid of mouth breathing, become aware of your breath, and pay attention to your breathing. Consciously, make efforts to breathe through your nose wherever possible.

Practice alom vilom, bhramri, kapalabhati and bhastrika pranayama keeping your mouth closed while concentrating on your breath. Practice shavasana for relaxation and aum recitation for increased concentration. Gradually increase the duration of pranayama.

Regards
Daljit

Comments for Can I Do Kapalbhati With Mouth Breathing?

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Nov 04, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		kindly edit your answer mentioned by mistake
by: Anonymous

Dear Sir,
KINDLY EDIT YOUR ANSWER BELOW; It says Mouth actually it should say the NOSE.

Mar 03, 2014 Can I exhale from my mouth?
by: Anonymous

Once the air is inhaled by nose can I exhale air from my mouth?

Editors Note
Inhalation and exhalation has to be through the mouth. Only exceptions are shitali and shitkari pranayama.

Corrected the error.
Thanks for your observation.
Jul 04, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Feeling Mind Heavy and Tired
by: Soumya Kant Mishra

Sir I used to do three pranayama, bhastrika, kapalbhati and anulom vilom. Sir after doing these three pranayam, I am not feeling relaxed. Rather I am feeling tired. Is there any wrong doing of breathing techiniques. So sir please tell me easy way, so I can do happily.

Editors Note
If you are learning on your own, read about the correct technique. For time being do not do bhastrika and anulom vilom for say 2 weeks. Do only rhythmic breathing and anulom vilom. Still if you feel tired, consult a yoga teacher or a doctor.

Hope this helps
Daljit
Jun 25, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Exhalation
by: Anonymous

Exhalation can be done from stomach or abdominal area.

Editors Note
Abdominal area.
Feb 08, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My mouth shivers
by: Anonymous

Hello,
I have a problem that while doing kapalbhati after a few reps my lips and face begin to shiver. Please tell me the possible reasons for it and how to avoid it.

Editors Note
You have to stop doing kapalabhati and do it only under guidance. It is recommended to start with yoga poses for few weeks and then try to do rhythmic breathing and anulom vilom.

Hope it helps
Daljit
Oct 10, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Anulom Vilom Pranayam End With Left or Right Nostrilil
by: Sri

Dear Madam,

Thanks for your response. I have one more question regarding anulom vilom. While ending anulom vilom pranayam should I exhale from left nostril or right nostril to finish the pranayam?pls reply.

Editors Note

Inhale left, exhale right, inhale right, exhale left completes one round. You can stop after doing a specific number of rounds.

Hope it helps
Daljit
Sep 30, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Query about Anulom vilom
by: sri

Dear Madam,

Thank you for guiding us. You have described that during anulom vilom pranayam while inhaling abdomen will extend lowering diaphragm so that air fills in the lungs and expand ribs to fill chest with air.

Madam I think I could not following the right process as I am still confused about how to inhale. Lungs should involved during the process, but I dont understand that whether I am breathing into my lungs or in my stomach.

How will I know that diaphragm changing its position i mean to say that can you explain me simply. Is there any way so that I can be sure that I am doing right?

Can I inhale normally without thinking that where the air goes on as I normally breath?

Editors Note

Hello

If you are confused, take a deep breath and fill your lungs, it is a natural process.

Complete yogic breathing is a mix of these three processes:

1. Abdominal breathing.
2. Chest breathing.
3. Clavicular breathing.

As a beginner first practice abdominal breathing and then combine abdominal breathing and chest breathing to take a deep breath.

Here is a video which beautifully explains abdominal breathing
video of abdominal breathing

Hope this helps
Daljit
Sep 24, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kapalbhati Pranayam
by: sri

Respected Mam,

Thank you so much for your reply, now I can do kapalabhati without any tension. I dont have any yoga teacher. I learn from your site, so I will practise kapalbhati following normal procedure. Thanks again for clearing my confusion.

Editors Note

I am happy to know that your doubts are cleared. Do few repetitions of kapalabhati (say 30 exhalations three times with few seconds break in between) in the beginning and gradually increase the duration if you do not feel any discomfort.

Warm regards
Daljit
Sep 04, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kalabhati Pranayama
by: sri

Hello

Please tell me during kapalbhati, bandhas(muladhar bandha) are applied or not. Some where I read that if bandha is not applied then kapalhati can be harmful for women. Please help me by giving the correct information. Thank you for anulom vilom details.

Editors Note
Beginners must start kapalabhati without any bandhas, it will be beneficial and there is no harm in it. Any pranayama with bandhas and breath retention to be practiced under guidance only.

Hope it helps
Daljit
Aug 23, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		breath in lungs not in stomach
by: sri

Hello,

Please clarify me during anulom vilom pranayam how to breath in lungs, not in stomach. What is the difference and how will I know that I am breathing in my lungs? I am unable to understand what I am doing is right or wrong. Please answer..


Editors Note
While doing anulom vilom take a deep breath. While inhaling your abdomen will extend lowering your diaphragm so that air fills in the lungs, simultaneously expand your ribs to fill your chest with more air.

In case you are finding problems, just take a deep rhythmic breath while trying to fill up your lungs. This breath should be effortless and smooth.

Hope this helps
Daljit
Aug 06, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Exhalation through mouth in kapalabhati
by: Anonymous

Hi, I'm wondering about Bikram yoga, which does Kapalabhati breathing exclusively through the mouth. What are your thoughts on this? If it is "wrong", why would he teach this method?

Editors Note
As per hath yoga kapalabhati inhalation or exhalations are through the nose with mouth closed. I cannot comment on the practice as followed by Bikram yoga.

Namaste
Daljit
Mar 11, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Question About Anulom Vilom Pranayama
by: Shree

Dear Sir,

I like this site very much. Every thing is explained here so simply. This attracted me so much. I practice pranayam daily. I do anulom vilom and kapalbhati pranayam.

I have a confusion about anulom vilom pranayam and I hope you will clear my confusion. During anulom vilom pranayam it is said that "It is important that you breathe deep into your lungs and not into the stomach."I do not understand what it means. I normally breath through my nose. How will I know that I'm breathing into my lungs not into my stomach? Does it mean not to breath by mouth? During pranayam I close my mouth and breathe by nose. Am I doing right process? Please explain me..Thanks.

Editors Note

You are breathing through the nose which is correct. The process of breathing also needs to be understood how the air is filled up in the lungs after entering through the nose. Aim of breathing action is to get maximum air in the lungs.

You can combine abdominal breathing with chest breathing. When your stomach comes out while inhaling that is abdominal breathing. When you expand your ribs to fill the stomach that is chest breathing.

How to inhale? For complete inhalation there are three movements combined in a single continuous movement. In a single continuous movement, relax your belly and it expands allowing air to enter the lungs, expand the ribs so as to fill the lungs and lastly lift your shoulders a bit.

Hope this helps.
Daljit
Mar 03, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Can I exhale from my mouth?
by: Anonymous

Once the air is inhaled by nose can I exhale air from my mouth?

Editors Note
Inhalation and exhalation has to be through the nose. Only exceptions are shitali and shitkari pranayama.

Hope it helps.
Daljit
Feb 11, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Kapalabhati By One Nostril
by: sush

Most of the time, I breathe through one nostril. Whenever I do Kapalabhati I breathe with one nostril(mouth closed). I want to know is it right to do kaplabhati with one nostril. Will it give me full benefit of Kapalabhati.

Editors Note
You must not do pranayama if one of the nostril is blocked. Carry on with your practice of yoga asanas and you may find improvement in your breathing. If there is no improvement, consult a doctor or a yoga teacher before carrying on with pranayama or kapalabhati.

Hope this helps
Daljit

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