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Aerobic Cross Training for Weight Loss

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Do you sometimes get bored with your aerobic exercise? Do You sometimes feel like you're not getting the results you should from your aerobic exercise? If so, then aerobic cross-training is for you.

Aerobic cross-training refers to using two to three different types of aerobic exercise during an exercise session. For example, if you plan to exercise for 60 minutes, you might start with 20 minutes of walking or jogging, followed by 20 minutes of biking, and finish with 20 minutes of rowing.

Now, please don't get the impression that you have to be in great shape to do this or that it has to be 60 minutes long. You can start with something as simple as a ten minute walk followed by ten minutes with an exercise video. This is cross-training too. You can gradually build up from there.
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Here are some of the exercises you can use in your cross-training program; walking, jogging, biking, rowing, stair climbing, swimming, exercise videos, etc. Any combination of aerobic exercises will do. You simply go from one to the next with very little time between them.

Aerobic cross-training is beneficial to you in several ways:

1. It provides variety which eliminates the monotony often associated with doing the same exercise for a long period of time.

2. If your exercise sessions are less monotonous and more enjoyable, you are much more likely to exercise more often and for longer periods of time.

3. You are less prone to over-use injuries that sometimes occur from doing the same exercise movements over and over again.

4. You tone more muscles because you are using more muscles. For example, walking tones mostly the lower body muscles and rowing tones upper body muscles also. Even exercises like walking and biking that both tone lower body muscles, tone them at different angles and each tones some small muscles that the other doesn't.

5. Aerobic conditioning is very specific to the muscles being worked. For example, you can walk ten miles a day and still be somewhat breathless after climbing stairs because you haven't trained the muscles for that specific movement. Aerobic cross-training allows you to develop more comprehensive aerobic training.

6. Aerobic cross-training is effective for weight loss because your are toning and training the fat-burning systems of more of your muscles. It turns more of your muscles into 24-hour fat-burning machines! You are also more likely to exercise on a regular basis and for longer periods of time. this also promotes weight loss and fitness.

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Aerobic Exercise for Weight Loss Can Be Fun

The word aerobic literally means "with oxygen" or "in the presence of oxygen." Aerobic exercise is any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously for a long period of time and is rhythmic in nature. Aerobic exercises utilize oxygen as the major fuel for sustaining activity for relatively long periods.

In general, aerobic exercises are those activities that require large muscle work, elevate the heart rate to between 60 percent and 80 percent of maximal heart rate, are continuous in nature and are of 15 to 60 minutes in duration. An aerobically fit individual can work longer, more vigorously and achieve a quicker recovery at the end of the aerobic session.
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Aerobic exercises fall in two categories:

Low to Moderate Impact aerobics - These include walking, swimming, stair climbing, step classes, light water aerobics, rowing and cross-country skiing. Nearly anyone in reasonable health can engage in some low- to moderate-impact exercise. Brisk walking burns more calories than jogging for the same distance because it takes more time to walk than jog that distance and poses less risk for injury to muscle and bone.

High-Impact aerobics - Activities that belong to this group include running, dance exercise, tennis, racquetball and squash. High-impact aerobics should be performed on alternate days. People who are overweight, elderly, out of condition or have an injury or other medical problem should do them even less frequently and only with clearance from their doctor.

Here are some of the many aerobic exercises you can do and because of the variety you have to choose from, it can not only take the bordum out of doing it, it can make doing it downright fun as well.

1. Walking

Walking is a popular form of exercise because it requires little in terms of equipment or facilities. Walking an extra 20 minutes each day will burn off 7 pounds of body fat per year. Longer, moderately-paced daily walks are best for losing weight.

2. Jogging/Running

In jogging or running, an individual is able to cover greater distances in a shorter period of time. Therefore, greater numbers of calories can be burned per time spent.

3. Choreographed Aerobic Exercise

Choreographed aerobic dance is a very popular form of exercise throughout the world. Aerobic dance helps in toning up the muscles of the body and many people find it fun to do as well.

4. Step Aerobics

Step aerobics incorporates the use of a step or bench typically about one foot wide and three feet long and about six inches high. Instructors use many moves that require participants to step up and down from the platform. This way, the activity will not be boring and tiring, but will be lively and motivating.

5. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics incorporates a variety of movements from both swimming and land aerobics to develop vigorous routines that are aerobic in nature. It utilizes the resistance to movement that water creates to elevate heart rates and also helps you if balancing yourself on land is difficult. It is a good way to lose weight.

6. Swimming

Swimming is a very popular form of regular exercise. Due to the resistance of water, the amount of energy required to swim a certain distance is greater than that needed to run or walk the same distance. In other words, swimming can burn more calories than running per time spent.

7. Stationary Cycling/Bicycling

Stationary cycling or bicycling are excellent forms of aerobic exercise when done continuously. Like swimming, cycling is a non weight bearing activity that builds muscular endurance and strength and improved flexibility of selected muscles of the legs and thighs.

8. Jumping Rope

Jumping rope can be a great aerobic workout as long as it is performed at a slow to moderate pace and is done continuously for a relatively long period of time (15 minutes or more).

The key to effective weight loss is through use of a healthy exercise program which is performed on a regular basis while following a healthy dieting & nutritional plan. Aerobic exercise is good for weight loss because it uses more calories than other activities and helps raise your metabolic rate.

This helps your body burn calories at a faster rate. It is an effective way to lose fat only if you are motivated enough to do it frequently. Aerobics only burns fat during the workout itself. So if you want encouraging results you need to be able to exercise daily and for longer periods.

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The Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise

There are two main types of exercise. Aerobic and Anaeobic exercise. Let's start with the first one. Aerobic literally means with oxygen. Aerobic exercise has an important distinction; it burns fat as its main fuel. Can anyone find a use for this? Anaerobic means without oxygen. Anaerobic burns sugar as its main fuel. Despite popular myth, exercise doesn't have to be drastic to provide massive physiological benefits. Even light exercise will burn fat.

Light exercise clears out lactic acid (a waste product in the body) and stimulates cells to regenerate. To ensure you're exercising aerobically (burning fat) rather than exercising anaerobically, it's important to ensure you do several things as you exercise.
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The most important is to breathe deep as you exercise. Breathe in deep into your stomach through your nose, hold it and then exhale hard through your mouth.

Secondly, make sure that you exercise at a level that's comfortable. Exercise at a level of 7/10. You should still be able to carry on a conversation while you exercise. Do this for at least 45 minutes a day and notice your energy explode.

Do you think you don't have time to do this? There is always time. Use the time you would have spent sleeping to replenish your body. I guarantee that you'll need less sleep. Use the time in your lunch break to exercise. The increase in productivity will have you more on the ball, and save you time through the dramatic increase in productivity. See, with the increased oxygen from aerobic exercise your brain speed and efficiency increases. Ride a bike, walk, swim or play sport.

Rebounding (or cellularise as it's now known) is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise around. If you have access to a rebounder, use it. Use any break you have whilst working to engage in some form of movement and deep breathing.

Exercise also strongly benefits the heart. It literally makes it a larger and stronger organ. Deep breathing makes the lungs stronger and larger. Research is now linking exercise to helping benefit and prevent almost every type of disease or ailment. Movement of any joints promotes blood flow and creates energy. Sitting down all day actually robs the body of energy. If you sit down all day it's absolutely vital that you promote blood flow, circulation, energy, brain flow and the strength of your heart.

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Aerobic Activity Burns Fat

Aerobic activity is any exercise that helps you use oxygen more efficiently. It gets your heart pumping faster, makes you sweat and quickens your breath. When you raise your heart rate your body begins to burn stored carbohydrates and fatty acids for energy.

Aerobic activity is very effective in controlling your weight and is an ideal way to burn calories. Research shows that a regular aerobic routine, combined with healthy eating habits is the best way to maintain a healthy body.

Did you know that the heart is a muscle? That means you can make your heart stronger and more efficient. A regular aerobic routine will give your heart the kind of workout that will help it do a better job of delivering oxygen to all your organs.
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Exercise doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. Any activity that raises the heart rate and is maintained for at least 20 minutes is considered aerobic. It can be different types of exercise like jogging, biking, rowing, swimming, dancing or even brisk walking.

The best workout routine is one that you enjoy doing because you will continue to do something you enjoy. If you vary the different types of exercise it will help keep it fun and exciting. For the best results, do some type of aerobic activity at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Aerobic exercise helps burn fat calories, increases your metabolism and if done on an empty stomach forces your body to recruit energy from stored fat cells. When you have finished your workout routine your metabolism will remain elevated for about 30 minutes. That means you continue to burn calories after you finish exercising.

If your goal is to control your weight, exercise your heart, strengthen your muscles or just feel healthier, a low-fat diet and regular aerobic activity will help you achieve and maintain a well toned and fit body. When you exercise the brain releases endorphins that put you in a better mood, make you feel happy and isn't that what life is all about?

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Aerobic Benefits and History

The word ‘aerobic' means "with oxygen". Researchers consistently recommend that regular physical activity with healthy eating habits is the most efficient way to keep yourself fit and control your body weight. Aerobic activity helps you to control or reduce your weight by using excess calories that otherwise would be stored as fat. Everything you do uses the calories including sleeping, digesting food and breathing. Any physical activity to what you normally do will use extra calories. So doing regular aerobic exercise gives you a sense of positive attitude that helps to counteract stress. Aerobic activity increases the body's production of endorphins.

Benefits of aerobics:

* The heart works more efficient and becomes more stronger

* It helps to control your weight.

* Reduces the risk in developing diabetes, obesity and any heart disease.

* There is an increase in good cholesterol and decrease in bad cholesterol.
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* It increases endorphins.

* Increases the body's ability to take in oxygen and makes you breathe faster.

* It helps to reduce and control the body fat.

* Improves the body muscle strength and flexibility.

* Improves the quality of sleep that freshens you early next morning.

* Helps to avoid chronic diseases like heart disease and hypertension.

* Aerobics increases the resistance fatigue and gives you more energy.

* Improves your mood and reduces depression, stress and anxiety.

* It avoids overheating.

* Aerobics pumps the blood faster and more forcefully.

* Helps in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

* Builds the muscular strength and makes your body more flexible.

* Helps to reduce blood pressure.

* Prevents from certain types of cancer also.

In short aerobics burns your fat. Aerobics makes you live longer and live healthier and happier.

It builds up a positive attitude in you and changes your perception of looking towards life.

Regular aerobic exercises will force the heart to gradually enlarge and it is important to always target your heart rate.

Here safety is first:

Vigorous aerobic routine can cause sprains and injuries. So never neglect the pain and immediately consult your doctor. If you have any medical concerns the consult your doctor and then start the routine. If a problem like dizziness, vomiting, back pain or any other arises consult your doctor and then continue the aerobic activity.

Aerobic history: "Origin of the way ending in a fit and healthy world"

Aerobics is nothing but a system of exercises to help prevent coronary artery diseases which was first put forwarded by a physician called Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper in San Antonio air force hospital in Texas. Shortly after the publishing of cooper's book about the exercise system, Aerobics in 1968, a person known as Jackie Sorenson developed a series of dance routines known as the aerobic dance to considerably improve the cardiovascular fitness. In this way aerobic dance and other form of exercises gain existence and made its way cautiously among the masses all over United States and many other counties and that too in a very short span of around two decades. The number of aerobics participant in the US alone raises from an estimated 6 million in 1978 to 19 million in 1987. Thus from the above lines one can easily see the tremendous popularity of aerobics among the people around the world.

Something about sportaerobics

Howard and Karen Schwartz are the two persons who developed a very new and competitive sport known as sportaerobics in the year 1983. Their group organization called the sport fitness international holds the credit of organizing the first national aerobic championship in the year 1984. Sportaerobics at the beginning, started featuring competition in four categories namely individual male and female, mixed pairs and trio which have the facility to include any of the three athletes. In the year 2002 the competition was upgraded to a group of six athletes. The judgment of the competitors is done on a one minute, forty-five seconds routine done to music. Judges choose two criteria namely the artistic merit and the technical merit with an overall 10 pints each. In 1996 sportaerobics is formally adopted as a Gymnastique discipline.

Growth of aerobics since the early years

Aerobics since the day of its introduction is growing at a tedious pace. All sorts of people are finding aerobics to be convenient and helpful in maintaining a fit and healthy body structure. Today the present scenario is such that every person in between a heavy work schedule makes out atleast half an hour to work out either in the gym or in the home. Every one today stress on the need to stay healthy and hence aerobics and all its form of exercises are rapidly gaining popularity.

Jamie is the author of other Aerobics Tips located at Health Information Also check out our Health Blog for other health tips. Please stop by and sign up for our free health tip news letter. Read more!

Top Aerobic Exercises

We all need a little exercise in our lives, should it be for weight or for overall health. Here are the best types of aerobic activity for fat loss:

Running/jogging outdoors - running or jogging is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise and one of the best when it comes to fat loss. One of the advantages is that you don't need any machines when doing this aerobic exercise. Most beginners would be better off by starting with only jogging, because when your body is not used to high intensity aerobic exercises, it can lead to an injuries.

Walking - walking is a perfect exercise for beginners if they're just starting a fat burning program. Walking is very natural, meaning everyone can walk and doesn't tire the body too quickly. The only drawback is that even if you walk for 30-60 minutes, it won't really burn many calories unless you walk at a fast pace.
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Treadmill - just like running/jogging outdoors, it can also be done indoors. This is a big advantage to people who have cold climates and cannot run/job outside all year long. Because of all the advances in technologies, treadmills now have a lower injury potential so it's much easier on your feet and legs.

Stationary Bicycle - stationary bicycles come in different forms, the two most popular ones are stationary upright bicycles and stationary recumbent bicycle. The upright bicycles provide different preprogrammed courses which help people keep the same intensity throughout the workout. Most of them have multiple difficulty levels and built-in heart rate monitors. The recumbent bicycle is very similar to the upright one, but because the lower back is supported, it's much more comfortable.

Outdoor cycling - not as good as stationary bicycling because people can cheat by letting gravity do all the work. But a lot of people enjoy mountain biking and cross-country cycling, so they'd prefer to ride their bikes outdoors. In order for outdoor cycling to have a fat burning effect, you must maintain a steady pace or else it won't be that effective.

Elliptical machine - these machines first became popular in 1995. Lots of major fitness companies started making their own version of the elliptical machine. It's like a combination of hiking, cycling and walking all in one, which is what give it its excellent fat burning potential. And because it's a very fun exercise to do, people tend to report that it's much easier to for them to complete then other exercise at the same intensity.

Rowing machine - many people consider the rowing machine to be the most total aerobic exercise because it works all the major muscle groups in the body through a wide range of motion. The advantage to this is that it burns a lot of calories which helps burn more fat, but it can also be very fatiguing for people to maintain a sustained long enough workouts.

Stairclimbers - these aerobic exercises not only provide an intense fat burning workout, but they also effectively target the hamstrings, glutes, quadriceps and calves. They come with many difficulty levels and workout programs. Unless you feel some knee pain, this one's a very high calorie burning exercise.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Aerobics Read more!

Fitness Aerobic - Training

Fitness in general includes both aerobic and anaerobic aspects. According to the priorities of the sportsman, one or the other of the two aspects will be emphasized, but the second one will not be neglected. The purpose of doing fitness exercises is, ideally, to create a complete athlete, able to face various physical and psychological demands.

The object of aerobic fitness is the so-called cardio training, a term which refers to the cardio-vascular system and the heart muscle (myocardium). We'll talk about trainings which do not make oxygen duty and which are generally called 'trainings of aerobic effort'. More exactly, they refer to efforts which take a long time (more than 12 minutes) - usually they take between 20 and 60 minutes and they determine acceleration of cardiac frequency and lung ventilation. Efficiency in training requires a frequency between 60-80% of the maximum cardiac frequency (calculated according to the formula 720-age - in years).
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The typical exercises of aerobic fitness come from classic resistance sports (long distance running, cycling, swimming, fast walking, etc.) and from different aerobic training programs (aerobic gymnastics, step-aerobic, tae-bo, dance, etc.).

Aerobic fitness uses specific cardio machines: treadmill, classic or elliptical trainer, stepper,etc. Dosing the aerobic effort depends on the somatic type and the actual objectives of each sportsman.

Normally, the ectomorphic and mezomorphic types, which do not accumulate large quantities of subcutaneous adipose tissue, will need to practice for a rather short time (20-30 minutes per training in two or three trainings a week, in non-consecutive days). This time is necessary for realizing an effective cardiac stimulation, without the risk of losing muscular mass.

For the endomorphic somatic type, 'benefiting' of a lot of adipose tissue, aerobic training must last 45-60 minutes and needs to take place 4-6 times a week.

Even if trainings are extended (time, miles) and they are more frequent, their intensity, which is given by the cardiac rhythm per training, must remain high, so finally the body burns as many calories as possible. It is well-known that only after 20-30 minutes the body starts to mobilize the fat 'deposits'. Before this, at the beginning of the training, the energetic support of the aerobic effort is ensured by the muscular and hepatic glycogen, the same as in anaerobic efforts, which are supported exclusively by the glycogen from the muscles and the liver.

This is one of the main reasons for recommending, in programs designed for losing weight, aerobic exercises - they are the biggest and fastest 'fat burners'. Of course, the other big benefits of these exercises appear at the cardiovascular, pulmonary, psychological and other levels.

A real euphoria is observed at the psychological level during aerobic training. This is motivated by the big number of endorphins produced in the body by this type of effort. Endorphins, also called hormones of happiness, are not produced in such a big quantity during anaerobic effort. Anaerobic training determines a big release of catecholamine (adrenaline, noradrenalin), which are considered stress hormones.

A disadvantage of aerobic fitness is, first of all, non-developing a strong and fortified musculature, because of the reduced muscle efforts. We can also observe (and must resist) the monotony of the training, which is long and repetitive.

However, generally speaking, the advantages of aerobic fitness are remarkable and irreplaceable.

Gaby Munteanu is a fitness trainer, with over 15 years experience, and editor at http://www.healthfitnessworld.com. HealthFitnessWorld.com - Health, Fitness, Body Building, Weight Loss, Nutrition - Articles and Resources.

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Aerobic Exercise Can Be Almost Anything

You can put in an aerobic workout in almost any everyday activity. Aerobic exercise is good for your heart and it doesn't need to be boring at all. Here are just a few activities you can do.

Dancing is Fun

Dancing is so much fun and whether you enjoy a slow, ballroom dance or a nightclub packed with people all moving to heart-pumping techno, as long as you are moving, it really does not matter what type of dance or music. The whole idea is to move your body. Dancing has long been recommended as an avenue to fitness. And it's fun and enjoyable as well
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Workout Tapes

If you have a VCR or DVD, rather than just using it for your favorite comedy or action-packed movie, try sticking in some good workout tapes. Even taking 15 minutes or so every day to workout will get you started. Try that for two weeks and you will be surprised at the results. Once you see that 15 minutes a day makes a difference, you will be encouraged to increase the time spent.

Running in the Sand

If you live in a geographical area, where you have the luxury of sandy beaches, why not take a walk or a running session along the beach. Is feels great to run or walk where the waves of the ocean and the beach meets. The sound of the waves against the shore will make you feel even better.

Walk Your Dog

Instead of just opening the back door to let your dog out, put it on a leash and go for a nice walk. Your dog will appreciate the new scenery and you are doing yourself a great justice.

Have You ever tried Bowling?

Get some exercise by joining a bowling league. You can find a league for just about every level of bowler as well as any day and time of the week. This is a great way to get out and have some fun while also exercising. Yes, bowling does count as exercising, no doubt about that.

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Say Yes to Aerobic Exercise

All the exercise advice you read suggests that a sound exercise program should include aerobic exercise, strength training, and stretching. I don't disagree with this information, but it seems to me that too many people end up not exercising because they think that if they can't do it all then it's not worth doing. And, they don't feel they have time do each type of exercise. Thinking this way is a big mistake. Any amount of exercise is better than no exercise. But, in my opinion, if you have to choose only one type of exercise, it should be aerobic exercise.

Strength training helps improve your muscle tone and the strength of the various muscle groups that you exercise. This is important in any overall fitness program. Muscle strength allows you to more easily perform many everyday tasks. One of the muscles that is strengthened during strength training is the heart muscle. The heart is the most important muscle in the body. But, strength training is not the best form of exercise for strengthening the heart. Aerobic exercise is.
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When aerobic exercise is done properly, it increases both the strength and the efficiency of your heart. As I said earlier, the heart is the most important muscle in the body. The pumping of the heart keeps oxygen and nutrients going to all the various parts of the body. Without this supply mechanism, we can not survive.

The newest information from the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) indicates that aerobic exercise sessions as short as 10 minutes in duration can help you to improve the strength of your heart. To be effective, the ACSM says that this kind of exercise has to increase your heart rate to at least 60% of your maximum heart rate. And, if you do these short duration sessions, you should try to do at least two to three sessions per day.

As is the case with all forms of exercise, a lot of people say that they can't find the time to do aerobic exercise on a regular basis. It can be a challenge, but the real key is to find exercises that you enjoy and can fit into your schedule. This isn't as difficult as you might think. Realizing that you can do aerobic exercise sessions as short as 10 minutes should make it easier to fit these sessions into your schedule. Now, try to think of all the different kinds of aerobic exercises that you enjoy and will fit in with your lifestyle. This may take some creativity, but it might be easier than you expect.

Here are some forms of aerobic exercise that you might want to consider: walking, jogging, running, biking, exercise bike, swimming, jump rope, dancing, jazzercise, aerobic dance, skipping, jumping jacks, cross country skiing, ice skating, elliptical trainer, stair climbing, or any other kind of exercise that will raise your heart rate to at least 60% of your maximum and keep it there for at least 10 minutes. Remember that you don't have to do the same exercise each time. You can "mix and match" different forms of exercise, which in some circles is referred to as "cross training". As an example, you could walk the dog (briskly) for 15 minutes after he does his thing in the morning, at lunch you could spend 10 minutes climbing the stairwell in your office building, and after work you could spend 15 minutes on the exercise bike in the corner of your family room while you watch the evening news. Doing the math and putting this together gives you 40 minutes of acceptable aerobic exercise for one day. Now, that wasn't too hard was it?

All you have to do is think about the different parts of your life and decide where and what you can do to fit some aerobic exercise into the things you already do. Remember, a complete exercise program is ideal. But, if you don't think you can fit it all in, try to figure out creative ways to at least include 30 minutes of aerobic exercise in your daily routine. Say yes to aerobic exercise.

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Online fitness coach Tom Manfredi is the creator of the site fitness-after-50.com. He has a master's degree in exercise physiology and over 20 years of practical exercise experience. This site is designed with the mature adult in mind. Learn more by going to fitness-after-50.com. Read more!

Kapalbhati Pranayama (Cleansing Breathing Exercise) Step by Step and Shining Face

Kapal in Sanskrit means FOREHEAD, and Bhati in Sanskrit means SHINING. Practicing Kapalbhati on regular basis leads to shining face with inner radiance. Kapalbhati is highly energizing abdominal breathing exercise.

What we do in Kapalbhati Pranayama

In Kapalabhati we do quick exhalation and natural inhalation. Normally exhalation takes one fourth of the time of inhalation. Quick exhalation and natural inhalation follow each other.

How to do Kapalbhati Pranayama

Step 1) Sit in comfortable crossed leg position with Back straight. Hands resting on knees in either chin or gyana mudra. Face to be relaxed.
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Step 2) Inhale deeply through both nostril, expanding abdomen and exhale with the forceful contraction of abdominal muscles. (Pull the abdomen in by quickly contracting the abdominal muscles and exhale through the nose). The air is pushed out of lungs by contraction of the diaphragm.

Step 3) After exhalation again inhalation but inhalation should not involve any effort. To inhale just relax and the lungs will automatically expand and filled with air. One can begin with 15 respiration. After completing 15 quick exhalation and natural inhalation , inhale and exhale deeply. This is one round.One can start the practice of Kapalbhati pranayama with 3 such rounds for practice.

Benefits of Kapalabhati

1) Kapalabhati cleanses the lungs and entire respiratory system.

2) The blood is purified and body gets an increased supply of oxygen to all cells.

3) Digestion is improved.

4) Abdominal muscles are strengthened.

5) Prepare the mind for meditation.

6) Energise the mind for mental work.

Precautions: Kapalbhati should not be practice by those a) Suffering from heart disease b) High blood pressure c) Hernia d) Should never be practiced when an asthmatic attack is in progress. e) If pain or dizziness is experienced ,it is preferable to stop the practice till the sensation has passed. Practiced can be restarted with less force. f) Quick exhalation should be comfortable to oneself. i.e. quick exhalation should not be too forceful.

Common Mistake: 1) Abdomen is contracted while inhaling. 2) Shoulders are contracted to push the air out when exhaling. 3) Back and shoulders move during exercise.

Point to Note: a) Exercise should not be done if you are feeling uncomfortable at any time during the exercise. b) Rapid breathing used in this technique should be from the abdomen and not from the chest. c) Kapalbhati should be practice on an empty stomach only. d) Kapalbhati should be practiced after the asanas and Relaxation (atleast 10 minutes) and before meditation e) Chest should not move very much. (f) It is always good and advisable that this exercise should be learned under supervision of yoga teacher after discussion with him about your health.

Mr Subodh Gupta,is consultant with NIE The Times of India group (India's largest Media Group).He has been Interviewed by various TV channel channels in India and London. Mr Gupta has organized more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management.

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