{"id":9709,"date":"2026-11-10T20:14:46","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T20:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/?p=9709"},"modified":"2026-11-11T21:31:05","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T21:31:05","slug":"kapalabhati-bhastrika-breath-of-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogamatsya.com\/en\/kapalabhati-bhastrika-breath-of-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti and Bhastrik\u0101 \u2013 the Breath of Fire in Kundalini Yoga"},"content":{"rendered":"
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THE BREATH OF FIRE<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Inhale and exhale like the bellows of a blacksmith. This is Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti, and it removes all ailments caused by kapha.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ha\u1e6dha-Yoga-Prad\u012bpik\u0101 (2:35)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The fire in the belly<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/strong> (kapalabhati) and Bhastrik\u0101<\/strong> (bhastrika) are the fiery breathing techniques of yoga. Both work with fast, powerful breaths, both awaken the inner heat \u2013 and yet they are not the same. In this article you will find both techniques with instructions, as well as Ajagar\u012b<\/strong>, the practice that leads the awakened fire back into the centre, and an answer to the frequent question of what the \u201cBreath of Fire\u201d is.<\/p>\n

Because these techniques are powerful, read the foundations on our page Pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma \u2013 the breath of life<\/a> first \u2013 especially the section on the right intensity.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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What is Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti (kapalabhati)?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/em> (the bellows of the skull) is a \u1e63a\u1e6dkarma<\/em> \u2013 one of the six cleansing techniques \u2013 as well as a pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma<\/em>. It moves pr\u0101\u1e47a<\/em> from the lower part of the body up into the head by mixing it with the fire in the navel. Kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/em> is performed from the kanda<\/em><\/a>, the navel point. Kanda<\/em> is often confused with the ma\u1e47ip\u016bra-cakra<\/em><\/a>. Some yogic schools say that all n\u0101\u1e0dis<\/em> originate there and spread through the body like a web of light. Kanda<\/em> has the shape of a golden egg; it is located below the navel and is the centre of the entire vital power of the body.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine the radiant sun rising on the horizon and illuminating the sky of a new day. When you sit down for pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma<\/em>, open your face and feel the morning sun shining on your forehead and flooding your whole being with light. Relax your face in these rays and let yourself be permeated by their embrace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\"Kapalabhati<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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How do you practise kapalabhati?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Gently engage m\u016blabandha<\/em><\/a> and exhale with a light, gentle jolt while drawing the navel inward. The inhalation then happens all by itself, without conscious effort \u2013 the breath falls back on its own. Pulse your navel inward and then let it drop outward, relaxed. Feel this pulse massaging your lower belly. The rest of your body remains completely relaxed, while your face stays open and soft. The pace can be quickened until a pleasant rhythm is reached.<\/p>\n

Imagine the golden egg rising as you exhale and sinking gently back down as the breath relaxes. Visualise a stream of golden light rising to the sky.<\/p>\n

Practise kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/em> gently but fast.<\/strong> Make sure, however, that your entire body remains completely relaxed throughout. Practise without any effort.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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What is Bhastrik\u0101, the bellows breath?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> (the \u201cbreath of the bellows\u201d) is an extremely powerful pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma<\/em> and is often regarded as a yogic secret. It awakens the inner heat that is the key to awakening Ku\u1e47\u1e0dalin\u012b-\u015aakti. Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> purifies the mind much like kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/em>, but also strengthens the whole system with every breath.<\/p>\n

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Inhale and exhale again, as described, again and again, just as a blacksmith moves his bellows. In this way the pr\u0101\u1e47a in the body is kept in constant motion. When you become tired, exhale through the right nostril. This is Bhastrik\u0101 Kumbhaka.<\/em><\/p>\n

In this way Ku\u1e47\u1e0dalin\u012b rises quickly, the n\u0101\u1e0dis are purified, and it is pleasant and the most useful of all kumbhakas. Thus phlegm at the entrance of the su\u1e63umn\u0101 is removed. Bhastrik\u0101 kumbhaka should be practised especially, as it forces the breath to pierce the three knots in the su\u1e63umn\u0101.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ha\u1e6dha-yoga-prad\u012bpik\u0101 (2:61, 63\u201364)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is powerful, and since it can transform the inner fire into space, it leads to mastery over the inner energies. Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is fire, fire is light, fire is su\u1e63umn\u0101<\/em>, fire is consciousness.<\/strong> It runs the house, warms the kitchen, illuminates the altar and lights up the deity in the centre. But as with every power, one must be careful here too, for fire can burn the temple to ashes or drive the practitioner into madness. Fire is a mighty energy that should only be used with awareness and caution.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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How do you practise Bhastrik\u0101?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is an advanced pr\u0101\u1e47\u0101y\u0101ma<\/em>. There are four basic variations of bhastrik\u0101<\/em> that I can describe in more detail here. It should be emphasised, however, that a deep understanding of bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is only possible under the guidance of an experienced teacher. A teacher can embody the energy of a practice and thus reveal secrets that are difficult to discover alone.<\/p>\n

Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is the bellows that fans the inner fire. This bellows is equally intense in inhalation and exhalation. Bhastrik\u0101<\/em> is often confused with kap\u0101labh\u0101ti<\/em>. The decisive difference, however, lies in the equal strength of inhalation and exhalation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are three variations of bhastrik\u0101<\/em> that can be practised one after another, one side after the other:<\/p>\n