Breath of Fire to Cleanse the Mind & Body
Two 15-minute breath of fire practices
Hi friend!
The theme for this month is all about deepening our practice in a simple and accessible way. This month, we’re stripping away the fancy mantras and movements to really focus on deepening our relationship with a more “basic” pranayama. I want to draw particular attention to how this change in focus feels in the body, as well as the shifts we can experience from anchoring into a simpler practice. Each class across the month will explore different pranic breathing practices.
Welcome to Week 2! The Zoom link to join the live sessions is below. Each class will incorporate a pranayama breathing technique. These classes are designed to be short and accessible so they can easily be implemented into your daily routine. Ideally, you’ll practice this class each day on your own until we next meet. We’ll continue in this way for the rest of the month, with the final class falling on the 28th of August.
What you’ll need for this practice:
Find a seat that you'll be comfortable sitting in for the whole practice. You can also use bolsters or pillows to prop up the hips if you’d like to lie down.
Make sure to wear loose clothing that doesn't constrict your diaphragm (tight leggings not recommended!).
I’ll invite you to have your camera turned on so that we can hold the container together. I know this might feel uncomfortable for some, and if you absolutely must keep your camera off, I totally understand. However, I find that having cameras on helps to maintain a sense of community, helps to limit distractions, and helps me to guide and cue based on visual feedback.
This week’s focus is on cleansing the mind and body through a pranayama technique known as the ‘Kapalabhati Breath’ or the ‘Breath of Fire’.
Pranayama breath work is a core element of yoga that involves controlled breathing. The benefits of pranayama breath work are far-reaching: improved lung function, enhanced respiratory efficiency, lower cortisol levels, reduced stress, increased mental clarity by raising oxygen levels to the brain, improved sleep quality, and better regulation of breath and emotions.
Also known as the “skull brightener” or “skull cleaner,” this technique refers to the cleansing effects it has on the mind and body. This breath technique helps us become clear and present. Often, we think of the inhale as being the most active part of the breath, but the breath of fire asks us to focus on the exhale with a passive inhale. Usually, in breathwork, we are invited to have a shorter inhalation than the exhalation. However, in breath of fire, the exhalation is very quick.
The breath of fire cleanses the sinuses and respiratory passages and keeps the spongy tissue of the lungs supple. Because the breath technique is much quicker, it saturates the blood with oxygen, enhancing metabolic activity and improving blood circulation. The pump motion of the diaphragm helps to irrigate, purify, and invigorate the brain, pituitary, and pineal glands. It strengthens the abdominal muscles and the organs of the belly, including the liver and colon, ultimately supporting digestion. It also expands the capacity of the lungs.
Energetically, this practice is believed to cleanse energetic pathways as well as stimulate the 3rd chakra: the solar plexus, related to our self-authority, sense of empowerment, and the ability to stay strong within our own boundaries of Self. Ultimately, this is the perfect technique to add to your toolbox if you need to simultaneously ground and energize the mind and body.
Precautions: This practice is not recommended on the first two days of your moon cycle or if you are pregnant and have not tried the practice before.
Let me know what you think of this practice in the comments section!
Best,
Eliza