What are Nauli Kriya & Kapalbhati Kriya? Types and Benefits

Before knowing Nauli kriya benefits, it's necessary to understand the term. Churning of the abdominal muscles for cleansing the intestines and other benefits is known as Nauli Kriya. It is a kind of massage to internal organs, generally performed with Uddiyana Bandha. These kinds of cleansing steps are always performed with locks.

Uddiyana Bandha is known as an abdominal lock; before entering into the whole procedure, Kapalbhati is performed. This is mentioned in the type of Shatkarmas, and there are four types of Nauli Kriya. All Shatkaramas are performed for cleansing before performing yoga.

Connection of Nauli Kriya With Kapalbhati

Both practices are mentioned under the Shatkarmas, and Kapalbhati is performed as a preparatory step to Nauli Kriya. They are interconnected and act as a basic step in having a proper pranic flow. Different type of mucus is cleared from different parts of the body during Shatakarmas, one of the prominent procedures is Nauli. Here are some aspects that we can present to establish a connection between Nauli Kriya and Kapalbhati:

• Kapalbhati is performed before Nauli to have an awareness of the diaphragm, breath control and build abdominal strength.
• Both of these procedures help in cleaning the digestive system and increasing the metabolic rate of the body.
• They help in stimulating the nervous system of the body. 
• Kpalbhati cleanse the energy channels of the body, and they both together increase the energy flow, also awaken chakras.
• The series of cleaning the body includes- Kapalbhati<Uddiyana Bandha< and Nauli Kriya.

Nauli Kriya and Its Types 

Nauli kriya is a churning movement of the abdominal muscles, and it helps in gut clearing. There are four types of Nauli Kriya based on the part of intestinal cleaning.

1. Madhyama Nauli

It is central Nauli; it is performed after Uddiyana bandha, and the bulging out central muscles, which are the rectus abdominis. This is a very controlled movement of the abdominal muscles.

2. Vama Nauli 

It is also known as left Nauli, in this method right and central muscles are relaxed, and the left abdominal muscles are contracted. It helps in cleaning the Ida Nadi or left energy channel of the body.

3. Dakshina Nauli 

It is contracting the right side of the abdominal muscles while the left and central muscles remain relaxed. It helps in cleaning the Pida Nadi or the right energy channel of the body.

4. Nauli Chalan

It is a rotating cleansing in which the contraction of the left and right muscles is done in a specific manner. It is used to stimulate the digestive fire of the body. A Yogi who has already mastered the practice of Vama Nauli and Dakshina Nauli can practice Nauli Chalan.

Benefits of Nauli Kriya

• Stimulate digestion in the body.
• Clear the left, right and central energy channel.
• Helps in curing constipation.
• Stimulate awareness of the Chakra, especially the Manipura Chakra.
• Tone the abdominal muscles.
• Give control over the abdominal muscles.

Kapalbhati Kriya and Its Types 

Kapalbhati is a breathing technique that focuses on active exhalation and slow inhalation. The technique is one of the shatkaramas and focuses on the pranic flow. The traditional meaning of the Kapalbhati comes from the Sanskrit language. The meaning of “KAPALA” is skull, and the word “Bhati” means shining; the shining skull is the meaning of the Kapalbhati. The word itself indicates its relation to mental clarification and the brightness of thoughts. There are three types of Kapalbhati: 

1. Vaatkrama Kapalbhati

It is a method of air cleansing and is good for beginners. It focuses on the active exhalation and passive exhalation procedures. It is the most common type of Kapalbhati performed during Yoga. 

2. Vyutkrama Kapalbhati

It is better for the patients of sinus and very similar to the Jal Neti. In this method, water is inhaled and expelled through the mouth.

3. Vaatkrama Kapalbhati

It is just the opposite of the Vyutkarma Kapalbhati; in this method, water is taken from the mouth and expelled from the nose. It helps clean the nasal pathways.

Benefits of Kapalbhati

• Increase oxygen supply to the brain.
• Helps in the awakening of the Manipur Chakra.
• Clean the sinuses.
•  Gives mental clarity.
• Cleans the energy channel of the body. 
• Remove lethargy from the body.

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Conclusion

Nauli kriya and Kapalbhati kriya are interconnected and help in cleansing the body channels. Increase the pranic flow and help in stimulating the digestive functions. They should be practised under the supervision of experts who do not have contraindications. You can contact Pratham Yoga for more information.