What is "pranayama" and specifically, what is "kabalabiti" breathing?

Q: What is "kabalabiti breath"?  What does it do for me?  Is it the same as "bellows breath"?

A: Kabalabati, bellows breath, and bastrika breath are all types of breathwork that are invigorating and energizing in the body, mind and spirit.  The intentions of these breathwork exercises is different that that of relaxing breathwork techniques like alternate nostril breathing--which uses breath retention and longer exhales to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the mind and the body. 

Bellows breath and kabalabati are similar in nature and in some ways in effect. Bellows breath is a bit simpler than kabalabiti so I will explain it first.  Sitting with a tall spine in a comfortable seated position, or even lying down, for bellows breath you are breathing rapidly in and out of the nose, mouth is closed and breath is moving rapidly in and out of the nostrils.  Your belly is also moving in and out, in and out.  The movement is like that of using a bellow to stoke a fire.  As a matter of fact this breath is also referred to at times a as breath of fire, as it stoke the internal fire in the body, gets energy moving and invigorates the body mind and spirit.  It is important to note that the breath emanates from the belly--this is diaphragmatic breathing not chest breathing and it can be helpful to place one hand gently on the lower belly to feel the breath and belly muscles move and synchronize them.

Begin with 3 rounds of bellows breath, first round of 15 repetitions, second of 25 and last either of 25 or if you feel comfortable you can do 50 repetitions.  After each round take close your eyes, place your hands on your stomach and breathe deeply for 5 breaths, emphasizing and elongating eth exhale especially to calm the body and circulate the energy you just built.

Kabalabati is a breathing technique used to cleanse the body, both of mucus and of tensions held in the chest and throat.  Some people feel a strong emotional cleansing as well as heightened energy after kapalabati breathing. Kabala means "skull" and bhati means "that which brings lightness." Kabalabiti breath is very similar to bellows breath but with one important difference, the exhale is active while the inhale is passive--you are shooting the breath out of the nostrils and then allowing only a passive inhale to come in again through the nostrils before shooting the next breath out again through the nostrils.  Make sure the face and jaw are as relaxed as possible and that your whole body is not reverberating, only the belly muscles.  This will take some time but the effects are well worth it!  Begin with 3 rounds of kapalabati, first round of 15 repetitions, second of 25 and last either of 25 or if you feel comfortable do 50.  As with bellows breath, after each round close your eyes, place your hands on your stomach and breathe deeply for 5 breaths, emphasizing and elongating eth exhale especially to calm the body and circulate the energy you just built. I love to alternate follow either of these exercise with alternate nostril breathing.  Bellows and kabalabiti breath stoke the fire within and get energy moving and woken up, alternate nostril breathing allows you to calm down and take that energy you built and slowly calmly distribute it to the entire body for your use and a wonderful feeling of calm and well-being.