Shatkarmas-purification techniques

Shatkarma is the sanskrit term for one of the six yogic purification techniques (kriyas) as outlined in the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika.” These practices are:

  • Neti - nasal cleansing
  • Dhauti - cleaning of the digestive tract
  • Nauli - abdominal muscles massage
  • Basti - large intestine cleansing
  • Kapalabhati - skull shinning technique
  • Trataka - eyes strengthening technique

The purpose of these cleansing techniques is to keep the body clean and healthy. They are said to remove toxins and anything blocking the flow of prana (energy) in the body. Practicing shatkarmas internally purifies the body, preparing the body for yogic practices. They should be practiced under the supervision of an expert. 

We will talk about few of them, which you can easily do at home for your health benefits. 

Shankhaprakshalana (Varisara Dhauti).

Even if you think you don’t have any problems with digestive system, this kriya is definitely for you if you have some of these habits:

  • fast food
  • often eat in a hurry
  • if u sleep till 11-12.00 o’clock
  • negative emotions and difficult life situations is quite a usual thing
  • you drink icy cold water often or if cola with ice is your favorite drink
  • you are meat lover, especially late in the evening
  • difficult mixtures, when you eat many products at once
  • if you used to eat yogurt or sour milk products at night
  • fruits before going to sleep is your habit
  • mix fruits and yogurt every morning in your blender
  • too many sweets and pastries

Shankhaprakshalana is a fast and simple technique, which helps in solving all the problems related to the digestive system (indigestion, constipation, bloating and acidity) and improves the functions of the intestine. This practice washes all the entire digestive tract from mouth to the anus. 

How to do:

lukewarm salty water (one table spoon on one liter) is drunk in excess and then letting it out through the anus. Actually, the amount of salt assimilated in shankhaprakshalana is quite small. Very little is absorbed as most is excreted per rectum. If you don’t put salt or don’t put enough of salt the water will come out through urinary tract.

For an adult person 1.5 liters of water is a minimum to wash all the digestive tract. If you have never done this practice before you will need deep of your body and 2,5-3 liters are more beneficial. Then 1,5-2 liters ones in 2-3 months is enough to keep your digestive system clean without any harm to your body. After drinking a little water in the beginning some asanas are performed for easy flow of water and better cleansing. Drink 2-4 glasses of lukewarm salty water quickly and then follow the asanas. Perform each asana eight times. Drink 2 glasses more then repeat the asanas. This way drink all the water. Click here to watch the asana sequence:

It is recommended to finish the practice with quick Vamana Kriya (see No.2), if you don’t have contraindications otherwise you can avoid it. You might feel a little weak after the pratice, take a rest, you will regain strength in few hours. Avoid fruits, fruit juices, vegetables and vegetable soups just after the practice, but don’t miss the food! Forty minutes after completing the practice preferably eat a meal of khichari (boiled rice and mung beans with ghee). The purpose is to coat the intestines with a protective, soothing and nourishing layer, afforded by the ghee. Without this coating of ghee, the intestinal linings are prey to the corrosive power of acids and alkalis as well as drying out and cracking, which set the scene for future disease. Actually, anything like plain porridge would be fine (depending on what is available in your country), adding ghee is the best.

Other suggestions:

At last one day before the practice eat light good, avoid meat and spicy food. Eat your last meal around 18.00 Shankhaprakshalana is to be performed on empty stomach. Do not have tea / breakfast in the morning. After practice eat simple food throughout the day and stay hydrated. Have pro-biotic drink to help the ‘good bacteria’ return as they might have been affected by the salt water, but not the same day.

Contraindications:

Old age and general weakness.You should be careful if you have back pain, weak kidneys or heart disease. Therefore, the salt should not cause any problems in terms of high blood pressure. People with hypertension, however, should not practise. Do not practice during pregnancy. Avoid if you have a gastrointestinal ulcer.

Vamana (or Kunjal Kriya)3

Vamana (or Kunjal Kriya) is a technique for cleaning the digestive system from the stomach to the mouth. It includes drinking lukewarm, salty water until the stomach gets full, and then intentionally vomiting it through the mouth. It eliminates the excess of Kapha dosha which causes an increase in mucus, congestion in the lungs, bronchitis, cold, and cough.(Good for smokers). Vamana kriya promotes the discharge of existing mucus and normalizes the formation of new mucus, balances the tone of the bronchial tree. It improves digestion and helps in case of acidity, eliminates halitosis (bad breath). It has a hygiene effect on the respiratory tract, ears and eyes. Several animals like cat, dog, tiger, cow, etc. utilize this technique.

How to do:

Heat 1-1.5 liters of pure drinking water up to the body temperature or bit higher. Take 1 teaspoon of salt and mix it properly with water. Drink 1 liter of water as fast as possible in a sitting position. Perform few abdominal movements. Press your ‘stomach in’ with exhalation in the bending position. At the same time, insert your index and middle finger of the right hand deep down into the throat. You can use three fingers. Generally, a little pressure of the fingers at the end of the tongue is enough to induce vomit. You can also press your belly with the other hand. Repeat the process of tickling the throat until no more water comes out, which may mean that all water has been vomited. You can finish this procedure with Jala Neti claensing of the nose with salty water) and brushing your teeth. Relax for 20 minutes and have your breakfast.

You can start with one or two glasses of water for the first time if you feel that the one liter is too difficult for you. That will also bring a good result.When you learn how to do it easily you can increase amount of water. It is best if performed in the morning on an empty stomach before washing teeth. This can be repeated once or twice in a week.

Jala Neti

Jala Neti: a nasal cleansing process intended to purify the nasal passages. Jala neti removes mucus and pollution from the nasal passages and sinuses. It helps to revent and manage respiratory tract diseases, relieves muscular tension of the face, calming the brain, rduce headache. However helps awaken ajna chakra. It can be performed in two ways: either using a neti pot to cleanse the passages with saline water, sucking water up the nostrils diretly from glass.

Dosage should be approximately half of the tea spoon for a cup. The addition of salt ensures the osmotic pressure of the water is equal to that of the body fluids. A painful or burning sensation is an indication of too little or too much salt in the water.
You can practice it every morning (minimum 3-5 times in each nostril). Or do it at least 3 to 4 times a week.

Drying the nostrils. Bend forward (approximately for 90 degrees from the floor ). Hold your body in this position until the water starts coming out. Then turn your head left, wait for a while then turn to the right side and stay for few seconds. All the water should come out.