Kapali Asana – Forehead Supported Pose In Yoga

Kapali Asana (forehead supported pose) is an inverted yoga pose. It is a part of the Inverted group of asanas mentioned in the book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. The inverted yoga poses group focuses on reversing the action of gravity on the body; instead of everything being pulled towards the feet, the orientation shifts towards the head. Inverted asanas have many amazing benefits.

How to do Kapali Asana – Forehead Supported Pose In Yoga

• Perform sirshasana.
• Maintain perfect balance for a short time, then slowly shift the angle of the head onto the forehead.
• This is the point of balance.
• In the final position, the spine and legs lean back a little to maintain balance.
• Hold the final position for as long as is comfortable. Return to sirshasana before lowering the body.

Variation I : 

• Assume kapali asana.
• Bend the right knee and place the sole of the right foot on the front of the left thigh.
• The right knee should point forward.
• Bend the left knee so that the foot points towards the floor behind the body.
• Hold the final pose for as long as is comfortable.
• Return to kapali asana and repeat with the opposite leg.

Variation 2 : 

• Assume kapali asana.
• Bend the right knee and touch the right buttock with the heel.
• Tilt the hips forward, bend the left leg and bring the left knee to the chest.
• The sole of the left foot rests against the right thigh.
• In the final pose the right knee points forward and the left knee points downward.
• Hold the final pose for as long as is comfortable.
• Repeat the practice with the opposite leg.

Breathing pattern while doing Kapali Asana – Forehead Supported Pose In Yoga

• Retain the breath inside while assuming the final position. Breathe normally in the final position.
• Retain the breath inside while lowering the body.

Benefits of doing Kapali Asana – Forehead Supported Pose In Yoga

• This asana is very powerful for awakening sahasrara chakra and therefore it is considered the greatest of all asanas.
• Sirshasana revitalizes the entire body and mind. It relieves anxiety and other psychological disturbances which form the root cause of many disorders such as asthma, hay fever, diabetes and menopausal imbalance.
• It also helps to rectify many forms of nervous and glandular disorder, especially those related to the reproductive system.
• This asana reverses the effect of gravity on the body. Strain on the back is thus alleviated and the reversed flow of blood in the legs and visceral regions aids tissue regeneration.
• The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deep exhalation so that larger amounts of carbon dioxide are removed from the lungs.

Precautions while doing Kapali Asana – Forehead Supported Pose In Yoga

• Sirshasana should not be practised by people with neck problems, headache or migraine, high blood pressure, heart disease, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, chronic catarrh, chronic constipation, kidney problems, impure blood, severe near-sightedness, weak blood vessels in the eye, conjunctivitis, chronic glaucoma, inflammation of the ears or any form of blood haemorrhage in the head. 
• It should not be practised during pregnancy or menstruation.