Shatkarma – The Six purification Techniques in Yoga
The word shatkarma comes from the sanskrit language . ‘Shat’ means six and ‘Karma’ means action. called Shat Karma Kriyas or Shat Karmas: Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti and Shanka Prakshalana, Kapala Bhati Pranayama, Trataka
The aim of performing these actions is to create harmony between the two major pranic flows , Ida and pingala thereby attaining physical and mental purification and balance. These practices are also used before pranayama and other higher yoga practices in order to purify the body toxins . Shatkarmas are performed to promote the health of yogis and to awaken , direct the energies in the body , mind and deeper psyche. These practices should never be learned from books or taught by inexperienced people . It is essential to be personally instructed as to how and when to perform the Shatkarmas.
The six Shatkarmas Techniques and Benefits of Shatkarmas Techniques
Neti :
A process to cleanse and purify the nasal passage . Practices included in this category are ‘jal neti’ and ‘sutra neti’.
Benefits of Shatkarmas Neti :
Jala neti removes mucus and pollution from the nasal passages and sinuses. It helps to maintain good health of the tears ,eyes and throat .It alleviates anxiety ,anger and depression.
Dhauti :
The dhauti techniques in this section clean the entire alimentary canal from mouth to the anus.
Benefits of Dhauti :
This practice removes stale gas and stimulates the digestive system.
Nauli :
A methodof massaging and strengthening the abdominal organs .
Benefits of Nauli :
Naulihelps to balnce the adrenal component of the endocrine system. It helps toincrease mental clarity and power of harmonizing the energy flows in the body.
Basti:
The wordBasti is a general term pertaining to the lower abdomen, belly ,pelvis andbladder. Basti is a method for washing and toning the large Intenstine.
Benefits of Basti:
Itremoves the old stool and gas expelled. It is also used to cool down theabdominal heat produced by their practices.
Kapalbhati :
The word‘Kapal’ means forehead or frontal brain and ‘Bhati’ means light . A breathingtechnique for purification of the frontal region of the brain .
Benefits of Kapalbhati:
Italleviates anxiety ,anger and depression. It helps in cleansing the frontalpart of the brain.
Trataka :
The wordtratak means ‘to look’ or ‘to gaze’. Trataka is the practice of intense gazingat a point or object which develops the power of concentration .
BenefitsOf Trataka :
Helps inconcentration ,makes the eyes clear and bright . It improves the memory andhelps to develop strong willpower.
