Using shankhaprakshalana, the stomach cleansing yoga

Yoga cleansing is the use of cleansing yoga postures and cleansing yoga practices to cleanse the body, inside and out. It can relate to special practices in order to clean out parts of your body. It can also relate to special yoga postures that are done with the aim of cleansing the inside of the body. Hatha Yoga is one type of yoga practice that focuses on inward cleansing.

Different Methods of Cleansing

There are different methods used for cleansing as follows

Shuddhikriyas

Shuddhikriyas are different cleansing processes. Shuddhikriyas are not meant to be practiced daily. They are used when cleansing processes are needed. Agnisardhouti, vamandhouti, kapalbhati, jalnet and nasagra drishti are all types of shuddhikriyas.

Agnisardhouti

Agnisardhouti is a shuddhikriya, and a cleansing yoga move. It involves quick movements of the stomach, in order to cleanse the digestive system. To perform this yoga posture, stand tall with a distance of about a foot between your feet. Bend your knees, place your hands on your knees and exhale. After exhaling, contract the stomach and return to the original position. Agnisardhouti is also known by the name of agnisar kriya.

Vamandhouti

Vamandhouti is a yoga cleansing ritual. It involves washing the entire digestive tract, include the mouth, the small intestines, the esophagus and the stomach. It involves drinking a large quantity of salted water at body temperature, until the water is vomited up. Afterwards, the mouth is washed out with water.

Kapalbhati

Kapalbhati relates to the breathing process. It involves cleaning the wind pipe. It is also meant to have a good effect on the brain. It is performed sitting cross-legged or in the Padmasan pose. It involves doing a series of yoga breathing exercises.

Jalneti

Jalneti is the process of purifying the breathing path from the nostrils to the throat. This is done with water, usually a utensil that can pour water into the nose. Warm salted water is poured into the utensil, which is then poured into the nostril as the person continues to breath through the mouth. The water is then expelled through the other nostril.

Nasagra Drishti

Nasagra Drishti is a process of purifying the mind. Sitting cross-legged or in the Padmasan position, the person fixes the gaze on the tip of the nose.

Dhauti

Dhauti is a type of shuddhikriya which cleans the stomach. Some types of dhauti include vamana dhauti, danda dhauti and vastra dhauti. Vastra dhauti is the most difficult form of dhauti. It involves swallowing a washed, disinfected pice of muslin cloth, with part of the cloth remaining outside the mouth. The piece of cloth is then removed.

Shankhaprakshalana

There are different types of shankhaprakshalana. Poorna shankhaprakshalana is a hatha yoga practice that involves drinking salted water and performing a series of asanas. Laghoo shankhaprakshalana is a shatkarma technique, which involves drinking water and expelling it through the stool.

Vatsara Dhauti

Vatsara dhauti is a yoga cleansing process that cleans the intestines with air. It should be done before a main meal. It involves sitting in a comfortable position and gulping down air. After the air is gulped, the person should relax and not try to expel the air.

Basti

Basti involves the introduction of liquids such as oils, herbal concotions and milk through the anus or vaginal orifice in order to clean the lower part of the body. It is used in treating digestive disorders. Basti is a special treatment that should only be administered by a trained practitioner.

Continue to: Methods of Cleansing by Yoga

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