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.
- Clean nostrils to allow good breathing.
- helps to maintain good health
- Reduce anger and depression.
- Remove the excess mucous.
- Reduce pollen or allergens in nasal passages.
- Relieve nasal dryness.
- Reduce cold and flu symptoms.
- Alleviate sinus headaches.
- Improve sense of smell and taste.
- Reduce snoring.
- Elimination of harmful bacteria
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.
