Kapalabhati And High Blood Pressure

by Sanjay

Hi, my name is sanjay. I have just started doing yoga for the last 3 days watching it on dvd of baba Ramdev. I'm suffering with high blood pressure and do take tekma H every day after break fast. While I was just surfing the sites, your site suggest's people with High BP should not do kapal bharti. Kindly suggest.

Warm regards
Sanjay

Answer
People with high blood pressure should not do Kapalabhati. However, if by taking medicines your blood pressure is normal you may do this exercise, preferably under the guidance of a yoga teacher. Here are some precautions:-

~ First consult your doctor about doing Kapalabhati.

~ If your age is more than 40 and health is not good seek guidance of a teacher to start this pranayama.

~ Do not give shocks to your body by doing Kapalabhati while beginning your yoga practice. First do the yoga poses and pranayama which does not affect your blood pressure for a month or so. Yoga asanas free accumulated mental tension, removes toxins from the body and bring harmony of mind, body and spirit. This will aid smooth functioning of all organs of your body. A sound body is a pre requisite for doing pranayama.

~ Initially get going with as Alom Vilom, Rhythmic breathing and Chandrabhedi pranayama are ideal for high blood pressure.

~ Take extra care to reduce any source of stress in your life and master the art of relaxation.

Kapalabhati
When starting to do Kapalabhati, do it at a slow rate. For example, do 3 exhalations per 5 seconds and also reduce the force of exhalation. Do only 15-20 exhalations at a time and repeat 2-3 times with due rest in between. Gradually increase the no of exhalations and the number of repetitions.

Hope this helps. You can let us know of your progress by leaving a comment on this page. Other visitors are also welcome to share their experiences.

Regards
Daljit

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Kapalabhati And High Blood Pressure

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Sep 17, 2011
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Practice of Kapalbhati Pranayam
by: Bhoomika Shah

Generally High BP patients should not do the Asanas or carefully do the asanas and pranayama which are tiring or increases your breathing rate. Also, retention of breath is not allowed for high BP patients. Shashank asana and Bala asana are the relaxation poses. They help you in dealing with high BP and are accepted for anger management.

In Kapalbhati pranayama exahalation is forceful and inhalation is automatic between two exhalations. Ideally there should be 2 exhalations per second, but beginners should start it with slow pace(1 exhalation per second). Also the concentration should be on abdominal movement, your shoulder should not be lifted during this pranayam. 20 - 25 strokes can be easily done at a time. Then take adequate rest to start it back. If you do kapalbhati pranayama after practicing JAL NETI, you will find tremendous increase in the number of strokes at a time. 70 - 75 strokes can be easily achieved in a single shot if kapalabhati is performed after JAL NETI.

Editors Note
Thanks Bhoomika for providing valuable information. As you have advised, in the beginning the exhalation rate should be slower say 1 exhalation per second. Duration of kapalabhati pranayama should be gradually increased. It is not to be practiced if there is a slight sign of any discomfort.

Mar 16, 2010
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Chandra Bhedi Pranayama
by: Anonymous

Sir how to do Chandra Bhedi Pranayama

Mar 14, 2010
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Kapalabhati and high blood pressure
by: Krishnamurthy Goturu

All said and done it does not seem that easy and perfect doing pranayama, asana or any yoga abhyasa by following on-line instructions. It is equally not that easy and difficult to find a suitable yoga teacher unless one is prepared to shell down heavy fees, which all can not afford. Then what is the solution?

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