Kapalbhati For Ulcerative Colitis

(January 26, 2009)

Can I practice kapalbhati if I am a patient of ulcerative colitis

Yes of course you can practice Kapalbhati or the breath of fire, as it is excellent for ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis occurs when there are ulcers or inflammation inside the colon or the lining of the rectum. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis include fatigue, anemia, loss of weight, bleeding in the rectum, poor appetite, lesions in the skin, pain in the joints, drainage of nutrients and body fluids, nausea, cramps in the stomach, disease of the liver, fever, etc. you need proper medical care to treat it. I hope you have been to the doctor and are taking medical treatment. Considering yoga is a great decision of course and will help you a lot but please do remember that you can’t practice all the asanas or poses until you are fully cured. Avoid certain asanas or poses that might cause you pain. It is best if you join a regular yoga class where you have a qualified instructor to teach you as it will help you to learn yoga completely right from the basics in a systematic manner. Also discuss your problem with your instructor as he or she will guide you and will tell you which asanas or postures you can practice safely and which asanas or postures you would need to avoid.

Kapalbhati is considered beneficial in relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Kapalbhati translates to Kapala meaning the skull and bhati meaning the shine or fire. Thus Kapalbhati means the breath of fire or the breathing exercise that brings shine on your face. Kapalbhati or the breath of fire is generally performed in the Padma asana pose or the lotus pose but if you find this too difficult in the beginning then you can start with the Sukha asana or the easy pose and then move on to the Ardha Padma Asana or the half lotus pose and then finally to the Padma asana or the lotus pose. Your stomach muscles need to be able to move freely while doing this pose so you should sit properly in the Dhyana or the meditation pose, with your back and spine straight. Start breathing normally until you are seated in the proper posture and then after you breathe in breathe out forcefully and contract your stomach muscles as much as you can and force all the air out of your body. Keep breathing out forcefully repeatedly in the same manner by contracting your stomach muscles. Do this in quick succession. But remember to breathe in and breathe out only through your nostrils and not your mouth.

Submitted by G M on January 26, 2009 at 11:10