Pranayama consisting of Kapalbhati and Anulomvilom are the cornerstones for health, vigor and vitality. These two yogic exercises keep all maladies at bay and have multiferous benefits on the wellness of the individual. Start with 5 minutes each of both the exercises and gradually increase the time to 30 minutes each. If you cannot sit in padmaassan then you can sit on a chair and if you are bedridden even then you can perform kapalbhati and anulomvilom on your bed in a prone condition. Kapalbhathi is the only exercise that activates all the abdominal organs and rejuvenates the spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys etc. The forced exhalations with the abdominal contractions have a positive effect on the muscles of the stomach and you would never again have a beer belly. Just try it and you will find your forehead shining( that is why the literal meaning of kapalbhati is " forehead shining like a lamp"). Anulomvilom enhances the oxygen exchange capacity of the lungs and has positive effect on the oxygen availability of the tissues. What do you need for repair of tired tissues? Oxygen ofcourse! In anulomvilom we are flushing the body with lifegiving oxygen and giving oxygen to those tissues and cells that were starved of this lifeforce due to faulty breathing habits that is the rootcause of all the modern day diseases. Just try this technique and see the results. Seeing is believing!
SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN, DEPUTY COMMANDANT, INDO TIBETAN BORDER POLICE
SHQ(NE-I), ITANAGAR, ARUNACHAL PRADESH
