Kapalabhati will be a welcome change for those of you who are impatient with subtle pranayama practices and their even subtler effects. With kapalabhati, you can immediately feel that something is “really” happening. Kapala is the Sanskrit for skull, and bhati is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “to shine.” This vigorous cleansing exercise has significant benefits, not the least of which is clearing the nasal passages and providing a bath of freshly purified blood to the brain.