The Shatkarmas: Yogic Cleansing
Yogic science gives as much importance to certain cleansing processes as it does to asanas or pranayama. Without regular cleansing of the system you will not gain maximum benefits from your practices. Without purification of the body one will not be ready for the higher practices of yoga. When the body is free the mind also functions properly.
As yogic cleansing practices, the shatkarmas result in vibrant physical health and mental clarity to create harmony in everyday living. They especially work on the digestive, circulatory, nervous and respiratory systems of the body as well as to maintain balance between tri-dosh Vata, Pitta & Kapha & to bring chemical functional of the body and mind.
The shatkarmas are yogic cleansing techniques the cleanse the subtle channels of karma as well as remove impurities and restore proper functioning of the physiology of the body. According to Ayurveda, these processes become timely and more deeply understood as to when and how to create balance of the body and mind.
They are essential from the point of view of physical and mental health, and these simple techniques are also highly valuable in healing internal disorders. Shatkarmas are the best yogic practices known for naturally removing toxins from whole body.
Yogic science gives as much importance to specific cleansing processes as it does to asanas or pranayama. It is believed that without the regular cleansing of our body and system, then we will not gain the maximum benefits possible from our yoga practice. When the body is free from impurities and pain, then the mind will also function properly.
The term shatkarma translates as ‘six actions’; within each ‘action’ there are several practices. Each one is powerfully purifying, profoundly cleansing at all levels of ‘being’ and induces self-study (svadhyaya) that subtly alters aspects of the manipulative ego-personality. The ancient rishi’s considered them as essential to the practice of Yoga; the body is purified then trained in Trataka (concentration). Gathered together, these six actions form then foundation of the meditative practices of Raja Yoga.
Before commencing the practice of Pranayama, any imbalance in the doshas should be removed. Physiologically, an effort needs to be made to remove the mucus blocking in the respiratory tracts, excess fats from the body, and excess gastric juice secretions from the stomach. In addition to this, these practices are believed to be producing revitalizing and rejuvenating effect in the organs of various systems. In Hatha Yoga, there are six purification practices specifically designed for serving this purpose. They are Shatkarmas. When we split “Shatkarma,” is the combination of two words “shat” means six and “karma” means action.
Shatkarma are very important from the point of view of physical and mental health, and these simple techniques are also highly valuable in healing internal disorders.
SIX MAIN GROUPS OF SHATKARMAS OR YOGIC CLEANSERS
There are six main groups of shatkarmas or yogic cleansers as follows:
Neti: nasal cleansing, including jala neti and sutra neti
Dhauti: Cleansing of the digestive tract, including danta dhauti, vatsara dhauti and so forth
Nauli: abdominal massage
Basti: colon cleansing
Kapalbhati: purification and vitalization of the frontal lobes
Trataka: blinkless gazing.
These techniques are also important in healing and treating many phycho somatic ailments and internal disorders. These are also steps towards higher practices of meditation and pranayama.
Jala neti, the warm salty water flow through one side of the nasal cavity and out the other nostril. It is helpful to remove all dirt and bacteria filled mucus from within the nose.
Jala neti is also helpful for headaches, epilepsy, depression and general mental tension. Nose Cleansing, Neti, where salt water at body temperature is poured through the nose, and stomach cleansing, Kunjal Kriya, where salt water is drunk on an empty stomach and then vomited. The entire nose area is relaxed and cleaned from inside: Mucus, dust and dirt, even pollen and allergy provoking particles are gently rinsed out.
What actually happens as a result of the salt-water bath is “In the sinuses and mucus membranes microscopic hairs are found, the so called cilia, that all vibrate in the same direction. Under a microscope, they resemble a cornfield swaying in the wind. The cilia are coated with a layer of mucus that catch dust, bacteria, pollen and white blood corpuscles. Through their motion, the mucus membrane acts as a conveyor belt, transporting the mucus and caught particles through the nose, down the throat and further on to the stomach”. Therefore, it is not only the mucus membranes in the nose that are stimulated by the use of neti, but also the rest of the air passage all the way down to the lungs, which is especially beneficial to smokers. Actually, nose cleansing activates all the mucus membranes in the body, also in the stomach and in the eyes. “The movement of the cilia hairs can be paralysed by virus and allergy provoking substances, and also when it dries out, the mucus becomes tough and crusty and looses its function. Cleansing with salt water keeps the mucus moist, the cilia hairs are stimulated and encrustations, dust as well as allergy provoking substances are removed”. “The nasal cavity is connected to the sinuses with small orifices. When during a cold these channels are closed because of swollen mucus membranes, it can lead to sinusitis. By nose cleansing these channels are kept clear”.
Regular use of neti can also prevent colds, as it changes the pH-value towards alkaline. When the mucus membrane is too acidic, that is to say, when the pH-value is too low, the virus can survive and become attached to the mucus membrane and thus develop into an infection. Contrarily, if the pH-value is higher, the virus dies. “Many people can even experience sinusitis-like symptoms when the orifices close for other reasons such as stress reactions or overwork”, it is also clear why neti can consistently relieve psychosomatic ailments such as asthma since during asthma attacks the mucus membranes become swollen, and make breathing difficult when the air passage is obstructed by mucus. As a daily routine together with brushing the teeth, as “medicine” when one has use for it, as help when one wants to stop smoking, together with the breathing exercises of yoga, or simply just when one feels like being refreshed. Neti cleanses the cranium and bestows clairvoyance. It also destroys all diseases that manifest above the throat.
In the yoga tradition, neti is one of the so-called Hatha Yoga methods, that is various ways clean the body. There are similar methods for the eyes, stomach and intestines.
Each of these groups contains more than one practice. Which will be described at various stages throughout our journey into Kriya Yoga. They are all excellent practices which are designed to purify the whole body and bring about first-class health. They also bring clarity and harmony to the mind.
Danta Dhauti : The Sanskrit word danta means 'teeth', dhauti means 'wash' and moola means 'root'. Therefore this practice is concerned with cleaning the teeth and gums.
Danta Dhauti, one of the shatkarmas, consists of a series of simple practices which clean various organs in regions of the head. These practices are danta moola dhauti (cleaning of the teeth and gums), jihva moola dauti (cleaning of the tongue), kapal randhra dhauti (washing of the skull), karna dhauti (cleaning the ears) and chakshu dahuti (washing the eyes).
The mouth is the gateway to the body and a favourite breeding ground for bacteria. Some of these germs proceed further into the body while many remain in food particles trapped in the teeth cavities. The vulnerable time for tooth decay and the build-up of bacteria in the teeth and gums is in the first half an hour or so after meals. It is for this reason that ideally the teeth and gums should be cleaned immediately after each meal.
Jihva Moola Dhauti
The Sanskrit word jihva means 'tongue' and moola means 'root'. This practice is therefore concerned with cleaning the tongue and its root.
The Sanskrit word jihva means 'tongue' and moola means 'root'. This practice is therefore concerned with cleaning the tongue and its root.
PRACTICE
Danta Moola Dhauti : Preferably after each meal. If not, at least once daily
Danta Moola Dhauti : Preferably after each meal. If not, at least once daily
Jihva Moola Dhauti : Once daily in the morning
Kama Dhauti : Once a week
Eye exercises : As necessary
Jala Neti : As necessary, but at least once every week
These practices, as well as jala neti, are concerned either directly or indirectly with the main senses of the body -- hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting. As such, they are important in enabling us to gain the best possible perception of the world around us. The use of Jala Neti is one of the key ingredients in a healthy dinacharya (daily routine) practice.
Danta moola dhauti (cleaning of the teeth and gums)
Jihva moola dauti (cleaning of the tongue)
Kapal randhra dhauti (washing of the skull)
Karna dhauti (cleaning the ears)
Chakshu dahuti (washing the eyes)
When the different systems of the body have been purified, the overall result is that energy can flow through the body freely. One's capacity to work, think, digest, taste, feel, experience, etc., increases and greater awareness develops.
Hatha Yoga Pradipika Chapter 2 verse 21 – 37[1]
When fat or mucus is excessive, shatkarma; the six cleansing techniques, should be practiced before (Pranayama). Others, in whom the doshas, i.e. phlegm, wind and bile are balanced should not do them.
There is no doubt that coughs, asthma, diseases of the spleen, leprosy and other twenty kinds of diseases caused by excess mucus are managed or eliminated through the effects of dhauti karma.
Enlargement of the spleen and all diseases arising from excess wind, bile and mucus are eliminated from the body through the practice of basti.
By practicing basti the appetite increases, the body glows, excess doshas are destroyed and the dhatu, senses and mind are purified.
Trataka : It is still-gazing based technique for eyes. Looking intently with an unwavering gaze at a small point until tears are shed is known as trataka. Trataka eradicates the eye of all diseases, fatigue and sloth and closes the doorway to creating those problems.
Lean forward, protrude the abdomen and rotate (the muscles) from right to left with speed, where the muscles of the abdomen are rotated, massaging the intestines and kindling the digestion. This is called nauli by the siddhas. Nauli is foremost of the Hatha yoga practices. It kindles the digestive fire, removing indigestion, sluggish digestion and all disorders of the doshas and brings about happiness. Nauli cleanses the internal organs and abdominal region such as side-to-side rolling motion of the abdominal muscles. Nauli is also beneficial for those people who are suffering from diabetes. Nauli encourages a weak gastric fire, restore the digestion and dries up all defects and diseases. The exercise may clean the small intestine and eliminate digesting problems. Nauli should not be performed by pregnant women or people with hypertension, heart diseases, or various gastrointestinal ailments.
Kapal Means Skull and Bhati means shining. In this practice, the breath is forcefully exhaled through the nostrils by firmly concentrate in the abdominal muscles after which the inhalation happens naturally. Perform exhalation and inhalation rapidly like a bellows (of a blacksmith). This is kapalabati and destroys all the mucus disorders. Kapalabhati (breath of fire) is warming and energizing, purifying the body through the creation of heat and the movement of energy. The breathing exercise Kapalabhati cleanses the lungs. It is also said to “purify the frontal region of the brain” (partly by oxidising the blood). This is a great cleanser for the respiratory passages including the sinuses.
“With most of mankind the mind is very little developed and is entirely under the control of the body. By learning to control the body, we can easily control the mind.” ............Sw. Vishnu-devananda
Though the digestive tract runs continuously from mouth the anus, it tends to be considered as having discrete sections, however it functions as a whole; indeed the mind-body-spirit is an integral system. Dhauti, the cleansing practices, assist the efficient movement of food throughout the alimentary canal. Sluggishness in any section affects the entire tract detrimentally, and also has impact on associated organs that work in tandem with it, e.g. liver, gallbladder, pancreas etc. While the entire existence and continuation of a healthy individual depends on the effective function of the digestive system, it is habitually abused, either through ignorance or desire; the shatkarmas provide methods for redress. Dhauti cleans out old bile, mucus and permits release of impurities from the blood; it becomes possible for the sub-conscious-inner-wisdom of the body to rebalance the natural harmony of the subtle chemistry.
The six cleansing practices of shatkarma purify the body by physically removing excesses of mucus or phlegm. Through the yogic practices of asana, pranayama, tapas and shatkarma, the body and the mind have become cleansed.
Nadi Sodhana (alternate nostril breath) is calming and cleansing, purifying the body through reducing stress and removing blockages in the nadis (energy channels).
Ayurveda is the art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature. It is an ancient natural wisdom of health and healing, a science of life. The aims and objectives of this science are to maintain the health of a healthy person and to heal the disease of an unhealthy person. Both prevention (maintenance of good health) and healing are carried out by entirely natural means. It is a holistic system of healing in the truest sense. Ayurveda encompasses diet and nutrition, lifestyle, exercise, rest and relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, and medicinal herbs, along with cleansing and rejuvenation programs for healing body, mind, and spirit.
This is why the Ayurvedic system of medicine speaks of the need for healing for every individual in every walk of life.
To maintain health and balance, we have to juggle with the three doshas, taking action to increase or decrease vata, pitta, or kapha as conditions demand. This requires moment-to-moment awareness, moment-to-moment healing.
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