Kapalabhati and Anulom Vilom In Moving Car

by Manoj
(New Delhi, India)

Can Kapalbhati and Anulom Vilom be done while moving in car since I have to spend nearly four hours everyday in the car?

Answer
It is not advisable to do pranayama in a moving car as pranayama is to be done while attaining a stable yoga pose. If you are driving or a passenger in a moving car, there is considerable body movements due to motion of vehicle. The air is not fresh inside the vehicle/ on the congested city roads. Also, it is difficult to maintain the spine erect maintaining natural curve of the spine.

Pranayama is different from the physiological aspect of breathing. Pranayama requires that you maintain a comfortable sitting pose and brain should not be under tension. In pranayama, the respiratory system is used to relax the nervous system without straining the nerves. The body must be relaxed. While in a moving vehicle, the mind is not completely relaxed and this effects the breathing process.

As BKS Iyengar says in his book "Light on Life", "In yogic breathing, the brain and the extremeties of the body remains passive, and only the lungs are activated."

However, you can practice breath awareness and try to breathe rhythmically while moving in car.

Any comments??

Daljit