In yoga, the form of our digestive system is seen as a conch (Shankha) which has a protracted spiral tunnel-like gut, and prakshalana in Sanskrit is named cleaning. Shankhaprakshalana is a yogic cleaning strategy of the digestive system together with the entire gastrointestinal tract (mouth to the anus).

In distinction to different yogic cleaning methods the place an individual drinks sufficient water after which vomit it out, In Shankhaprakshalana ingesting lukewarm saline water is adopted by a exact collection of asanas. This collection of asanas notably referred to as Shankhaprakshalana asanas.

The normal identify used for this follow is varisara dhauti. In Sanskrit, “vari” means “water”, “Sara” refers to “essence”, and “dhauti” means “cleaning”.

Based on Gheranda Samhita, the follow supplies a luminous physique by eliminating toxins from the physique.

Shatkarma: Yoga Kriyas for Purification and Their Advantages

Main Function

The most important function of shankha prakshalana is to advertise bowel motion naturally with none remedy and unintended effects.

It additionally serves as an important a part of an ayurvedic method often called Kaya kalpa. It may be understood as bodily transformation, as “kaya” means physique and “kalpa” is a time period for transformation.

Due to this fact, shankha prakshalana is greater than a purification method. It’s a holistic strategy to get rid of impurities selling bodily and psychological well being.

Mechanism of Shankhaprakshalana

Shankhaprakshalana begins with an consumption of 250 ml of lukewarm saline water adopted by performing the actual set of asanas respectively. It consists of tadasana, tiryakatadasana, katichakrasana, tiryaka bhujangasana, and at last udarakarshan.

Every asana have to be carried out eight occasions so as to full one spherical. The practitioner has to carry out full 5-6 rounds as per the method’s requirement.

The completion of the method takes roughly one to 1 and a half hour.

Causes to make use of lukewarm salty water

The temperature of water used on this follow is stored 38-40°, i.e. lukewarm. It is because of the truth that it promotes the motion of stagnant stool with mucous and causes frequent elimination.

The salt utilized in lukewarm water prevents the fast absorption of water into the gut. It will definitely facilitates the motion of water easily into the intestinal tract to be evacuated via the anus.

The mixed impact of lukewarm saline water with asanas

After having two glasses of water earlier than every spherical of the asanas, the water strikes from the abdomen, small gut, to the big gut. This results in the eventual elimination of poisons and water from the anus.

1. Promotes peristalsis

On this shankha prakshalana, the gastrointestinal tract all the best way from mouth to anus is washed. It catalyzes the additional motion of foodstuff, thereby selling peristalsis. This results in enhanced bowel motion.

2. Decreases ldl cholesterol degree by way of bile elimination

Resulting from peristalsis, the chyme from the abdomen reaches the small gut. Because it enters the duodenum, it combines with bile juice. Because the bowel motion has been enhanced, the combination is eliminated simply. This reduces the focus of bile.

Ldl cholesterol acts as main element in bile secretion. Due to this fact, ldl cholesterol is consumed extra typically to provide bile and results in diminished ldl cholesterol degree.

3. Elevated hemoglobin

Mucus acts a barrier within the absorption of ferrous ion. It reduces the focus of iron within the physique and acts as ferritin curtain. Nevertheless, shankh prakshalana eliminates mucus and will increase the absorption of ferrous ion.

It maintains the iron focus within the physique, thereby rising the hemoglobin degree.

4. Prompts parasympathetic dominance

The clearance of gastrointestinal tract renews and rejuvenates the interior organs. This results in hormonal stability to take care of homeostasis.

This hormonal stability results in a peaceful mind-set, inducing parasympathetic dominance.

The inner cleaning brings enchancment in bodily well being. It creates an setting for higher psychological well being, thereby offering soothing results on psychophysiological phrases.

Shankhaprakshalana Asanas

It includes 5 asanas in following order as described under:

1. Tadasana

• Stand separating the toes 15-18 inches.
• Carry your arms ahead to the shoulder degree and interlock the fingers.
• Lengthen them overhead with palms in the direction of the ceiling.
• Carry the heels and stretch the physique upwards so far as attainable.
• Then launch bringing the heels and fingers down.

Tadasana opens the pyloric sphincter muscle that serves as a valve of the abdomen opening to the small gut. It streams the saline water into the small gut together with chyme.

2. Tiryakatadasana

• Stand in tadasana with heels on the ground.
• Stretch upward and flex the waist in the direction of left, be there for some time.
• Come again to the middle and calm down.
• Then bend in the direction of the fitting and maintain the pose.
• Once more return to the middle.

The bending concerned within the asana contracts each side of the coiled intestinal wall repeatedly. Thus, the water strikes easily via the intestinal layer.

3. Katichakrasana

• Stand separating the legs 16-18 inches.
• Open the arms sideways to shoulder degree with dealing with the ground.
• Rotate the higher physique by the waist to the left.
• Carry your proper hand across the physique to be positioned on the left shoulder bending the fitting elbow.
• Flexing the left elbow wrap the left arm across the twisted again in the direction of the fitting putting the hand on the waist.
• Lastly, flip the neck in the direction of the left twisting all the physique to the left.
• Launch and repeat on the opposite facet.

The twisting concerned within the asana exerts stress into the intestinal muscle groups. It causes the circulation of water downwards.

4. Tirayaka bhujangasana

• Lie down in a inclined place.
• Increase your head to deliver chin to the ground.
• Carry your fingers beside the chest and curl the toes to the ground.
• Urgent the palms to the bottom elevate the chin, chest, and stomach.
• Bend your proper elbow and switch to take a look at your left heel, protecting the left arm straight.
• Come again to the middle after which calm down on the ground.
• Repeat the identical on the fitting facet.

This asana opens the ileocecal sphincter muscle and saline water reaches the big gut. Thereby, clearing all the pathway until right here.

5. Udarakarshan

• Hold the toes hip-width aside.
• Sit bending the knee with soles on the bottom.
• Hold your fingers on knees.
• Push the fitting knee with the hand to deliver it close to the left foot.
• Now, push the left knee in the direction of the fitting.
• Shrinking the decrease stomach, flip to look in the direction of the left shoulder.
• Be there for 5-10 breaths, inhale and are available again to sitting pose.
• Exhale and repeat it pushing the left knee to the fitting foot.

This final pose is useful in squeezing the big gut, stimulating, and stretching the digestive organs. It creates contraction and leisure within the alimentary canal.

Lastly, the stagnant stool and mucous is eradicated because the bowel motion is evacuated from the gastrointestinal tract. No traces of residual particles or saline water stays within the alimentary canal.

Shankhaprakshalana Process

The method of Shankhaprakshalana may be categorised into 3 elements;

1. Pre-procedure – Salt Water Preparation

The lukewarm water is used to arrange the saline resolution. The ratio of salt to the water stays 2 teaspoons salt in 1 liter of water. Put together an satisfactory quantity of saline resolution, because it consumes about 16 glasses of water.

Additionally, put together a particular meal for post-procedure. This particular meal is khichdi of rice and moong dal cooked collectively. Add turmeric and get rid of salt addition. Cook dinner it utilizing ghee on the finish to arrange a semi-liquid meal.

Select a spot like a backyard or a terrace the place you might be involved with contemporary air to carry out shankha prakshalana. Guarantee there’s an approachable rest room close by.

Morning hours are preferable for this follow round 6-7 am.

2. Cleaning process – Bowel Motion

Start with ingesting 2 glasses of saline water and instantly carry out the above-mentioned set of 5 asanas, 8 occasions every to finish the primary spherical. Drink one other 2 glasses repeating all of the asana, 8 occasions every.

Repeat it a 3rd time after which go to the bathroom to verify whether or not there’s any bowel motion or not. Be there for 1-2 minutes and don’t exert stress externally.

Come again to repeating the process of ingesting water and resume the asanas. It’s adopted by once more visiting the bathroom. Proceed the method for about 6 rounds.

Nearly after third around the evacuation course of begins. The primary time is accompanied by strong stool, adopted by a mix of stool and water. The focus of stool decreases progressively and at last clear water will cross out of the anus.

3. Put up-Process – Eat & Loosen up

After the evacuation of clear water, cease the method and lie down in shavasana. Loosen up the physique for 45 minutes sustaining full silence.

Following the resting interval of 45 minutes, eat the khichdi on time. Eat a enough quantity to refine the gut to renew peristalsis. Relaxation after having the primary meal, however keep away from sleeping for 3 hours. Repeat the meal after about 6 hours of the primary meal.

Keep away from any bodily and psychological exercise for the entire day and hold resting the next day as properly. Don’t repeat this method greater than twice a yr.

Period – The method of shankha prakshalana have to be accomplished in a day as described above.

Alternatively, inexperienced persons can carry out it by following the method consecutively for six days. Have the primary spherical of saltwater and asanas on the primary day, adopted by evacuating bowels. On every passing day hold rising one spherical to finish the course in 6 days.

2 Kinds of Shankhaprakshalasna

Primarily based on the amount of saline water, Shankha prakshalasna is 2 sorts;

1. Laghu shankha prakshalana

Laghu means much less or quick. Right here laghu referred to the amount of saline water and the proportion it cleanses. In Laghu shankha prakshalana, most of 6-8 cups of water are taken solely after which asanas are carried out for bowel movemnt.

This can be a shorter method for cleaning the alimentary canal. For this additionally lukewarm salty water is ready.

• Start with ingesting 2 glasses of ready resolution.
• Carry out the 5 asanas as that of shankha prakshalana respectively, eight occasions every.
• Drink 2 glasses of saline water and repeat the asanas eight occasions every.
• Repeat it another time after which go to the bathroom.
• Examine whether or not the bowel motion has been initiated or not with out pressurizing externally.
• If it has not been began it’s going to finally come on later.

This follow takes one hour. It is very important take relaxation publish follow for half an hour earlier than having any meals or drink.

2. Poorna Shankaprakshalana

Poorna means full or full. In Poorna Shankaprakshalana, one retains ingesting water and performing 5 asanas again to again till the water popping out anus is as clear because the water entering into.

Therapeutic Functions

• Shankha prakshalana cures constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, or any digestive dysfunction.
• It’s useful in relieving belly ache and irritation.
• This follow is helpful in treating diabetes.
• This system is used to stop allergic reactions like hay fever.
• It acts as a treatment to treatment pores and skin issues like pimples, neurodermatitis, or psoriasis.
• It additionally relieves nervousness by soothing the nervous system.

Contraindications

• Keep away from the follow if in case you have hypertension or any coronary heart illness.
• Individuals with weak kidneys should chorus from the follow.
• Don’t follow shankha prakshalana throughout being pregnant.
• In case you have a gastrointestinal ulcer, this follow have to be prevented.
• In case of again ache keep away from this pactice.
• In case you have a latest surgical procedure, then it’s strictly prohibited to carry out shankha prakshalana.

Precautions

• Cease the follow instantly as soon as the elimination of clear water initiates.
• Don’t go to sleep whereas resting in Shavasana.
• Keep away from consumption of any fluids for not less than 2 hours after the meal.
• Keep away from any chemically ready, spicy, or non-veg meals for one month after the follow.
• Prohibit the consumption of pickle, dairy merchandise, sweets, or acidic fruits.
• Consumption of cigarette, alcohol, or any medication have to be prohibited for a month.
• Hold the physique heat to stop any unintended effects like headache, chilly, or nausea.

Shankha Prakshalana Advantages

1. It cleanses the physique internally, clearing the toxins from the alimentary canal.
2. This system tones the interior organs just like the liver, kidney, digestive organs, and glands.
3. It’s useful within the purification of blood by the discount of extreme mucus.
4. It maintains the metabolism and strengthens the immune system.
5. It rejuvenates the physique bodily in addition to mentally.
6. It decreases urge for food and helps burn additional energy. Due to this fact it tones the physique and reduces physique weight.
7. It additionally raises the power degree by stimulating the prana circulation aligning the physique chakras.