Bhastrika and kapalbhati pranayama are yoga breathing exercises that can help the practitioner improve lung capacity and control respiratory conditions such as asthma. These breathing exercises are best used in the morning and both provide benefits that impact the entire body, resulting in more energy and better overall health.

Kapalbhati pranayama helps the internal organs function better by exercising and massaging the chest and abdomen. Kapalbhati increases lung capacity because it allows the practitioner to take in more fresh oxygen and exhale more carbon dioxide, which helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins. This type of breathing exercise benefits the respiratory system and is especially useful when the practitioner suffers from illnesses and conditions that affect breathing, such as colds, bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, deviated septum, and even more serious conditions such as tuberculosis and emphysema.

Additionally, kapalbhati is beneficial to the digestive system, helping the practitioner improve digestion and relieve the effects of indigestion, constipation, and gastritis. Since kapalbhati increases circulation, heart rate, and the number of red blood cells in the blood, it allows the practitioner to become more energetic. This is particularly beneficial for overweight practitioners who find themselves more energetic and less exhausted as they go about their day. It also stabilizes the glands of the endocrine system, which affects the entire body and even helps the nervous system through the constant cleansing of brain cells as a result of the increased level of oxygen in the blood. Mental health is also positively affected and the practitioner experiences a kind of bliss and relaxation after this practice.

Bhastrika pranayama is very similar in the benefits it provides to the practitioner. Bhastrika is particularly beneficial for practitioners dealing with respiratory illnesses and conditions, as its energetic breathing methods help cure conditions such as the common cold, sinus infections, and the flu. It can even help improve asthma. It can also help with healing conditions that affect the thyroid gland and throat problems such as those that affect the tonsils.

Regular practice of bhastrika pranayama results in younger, brighter and healthier skin. Most practitioners improve overall health as they can detoxify your body by expelling toxins as you exhale. Increased lung capacity leads to more oxygen in the blood, which leads to increased vitality.

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