Kapalabhati

Skull cleansing. A ṣaṭkarma consisting of rapid, forced exhalations through the nose with passive inhalations. The Haṭha Pradīpikā (2.35-36) prescribes it for purifying the nāḍīs and eliminating excess kapha doṣa. The Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā lists it as the first of the six purifications, emphasizing its capacity to clear the mind and prepare the body for pranayama.