Kapalbhati

This asana is described in full in section 3.2.13 (Kapalabhati) above - its procedure, breathing awareness, benefits and contraindications are the same wherever it is practised. The CBSE Class 12 Physical Education syllabus lists Kapalbhati again here because it is one of the asanas recommended for this specific lifestyle disease; refer to section 3.2.13 for the complete method and the posture diagram.

Why Kapalbhati is listed for asthma, and its important exception

Kapalabhati's forceful, rhythmic exhalations actively work the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, clearing mucus and stale air from the respiratory passages and improving the general efficiency of breathing, which is why the syllabus places it among the asthma-related practices. However, the same textbook that lists its respiratory benefits also states clearly, under its own precautions, that asthma patients should avoid the forceful form of Kapalabhati. The honest reading of the syllabus is that Kapalabhati supports general respiratory health and is useful for related issues such as sinusitis, but its rapid, forceful breathing can itself trigger bronchospasm in an asthmatic airway, so it is not recommended as an active asthma-attack-prevention practice in the way Anulom-Vilom or the chest-opening asanas are.

What a student should know for the examination

• State both sides honestly: Kapalabhati is a respiratory "cleanser" valued for sinusitis and general lung function, but it is specifically contraindicated for asthma patients in its forceful form.
• Pregnant women, slipped-disc patients and those currently having breathing difficulty should also avoid it.
• It should not be performed during menstruation. …