Shatkarma
Six yogic practice of detoxification
Shatkarmas are the six purification methods of hatha yoga to make humans clean, strong, free from diseases, and modifications of the mind. They remove toxins and improve prana/vitality. They are very much essential for making the foundation of higher spiritual practices. The six techniques are as follows:
- Neti – It is a nasal cleansing process. it can be performed either using a neti pot with saline solution or using a thread passed through the nostrils and out the mouth. It is useful in nasal allergies, headache, stress, sinusitis, vision disorders, and asthma.
- Dhauti – It is alimentary canal cleansing. It removes phlegm, bile, and impurities from the esophagus and stomach. It is useful in gastritis, migraine, asthma, and other psychosomatic disorders.
- Nauli – It is a yogic self-abdominal massage by using only the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is useful in diabetes, indigestion, constipation.
- Basti – it is the method of purifying the large intestine by using either water or air.
- Kapalbhati – It is quick and rhythmic exhalation through the nostrils by actively contracting abdominal muscles followed by passive inhalation. It purifies the nerves and the pranic nadis. It is useful in obesity, depression, stress, and laziness.
- Tratak – It is yogic gazing at a single point such as a small object, black dot, or candle flame. It enhances memory and concentration. It is useful in vision disorders, stress, computer vision syndrome, and other psychosomatic disorder.